Episode 13 Super League Show

We have made it into the month of May. The fixtures look tasty in the

next few weeks. Couple`macro of the biggest rivals are going

head`to`head. News of a coaching change in London and we will find

out who has been flying and flagging has a super league continues. `` as

the super league continues. The favourites against the champions.

Leeds against Wigan 's `` Wigan. They are heading in the right

direction. Were they too hot to handle for the Salford Red Devils?

Saint Helens looking to get back to winning ways, London Broncos at

Langtree Park. The Castleford head coach has joined

us, Daryl Powell with Jamie Peacock, die jesting the latest super league

developments. They know all about battles between Leeds and Wigan. It

has always been an intense fixture on the calendar and the latest

meeting was at Headingley on Friday. They are big games. We do not

underestimate them. We know there is a big challenge ahead. Everybody

needs their best game on Friday. Winning or losing, we have to make

sure we come out with something and we can say that was good.

It will be interesting to see how Leeds adapt. And likewise, Wigan

without a Loughlin. Underway for one of the matches of the season.

Bateman bringing it back from the very first kick`off. Keeping it in

play. I think he might have lost it here, actually. The referee has

ruled that John Bateman has lost the ball. With the weight of the tackle.

An encouraging start for Leeds. Bateman is still quizzing the

decision that has gone against him. Stay calm. It will be with Leeds.

Altercation between baked and Peacock as well. Clarkson had dummy

half. Jamie Peacock with a drive. `` between Bateman. Very early stages.

Kevin Sinfield. Measuring the cake. Ryan Hall is up there. McGuire! He

will claim the try. The video referee will have to adjudicate

here. It does make contact. It looks like it has gone backwards. Not much

wrong with the grounding from Danny McGuire. A try is confirmed. A

perfect start for Leeds. In the opening couple`macro minutes. They

have taken advantage. Kevin Sinfield. Hardaker coming in

from full`back. He will take them on the outside. Zak Hardaker. Wow!

Well, again he has to be sure, the referee. Look at that. Look at that.

Millimetre perfect from Zak Hardaker. Second try, Leeds. It was

quite a piece of individual athleticism here from Zak Hardaker.

Swerving and speed and what a finish. Michael Oram. Wigan looking

to take up position if they can. Clough. Forcing his way close. At

dummy half. He has got a way to go. Very good Leeds defending. Excellent

Leeds defending on their line. Dummy half. Has he gone over? Well, the

referee is asking for the second opinion again. Did he manage to

ground this ball? It looks like he has done. 22 minutes played. Wigan

have finally found a way through Leeds. Sheer determination.

Sending it up for Wigan to chase. Ryan Hall catching it and swerving.

It is opening up a little bit. He is still going. Still going! Moon. Joel

Lynch. A thrilling escape by Leeds. `` moon. Moon.

Stepped back on the inside by Sutcliffe. Ryan Hall down. All the

momentum is with the side in blue at the moment. Kevin Sinfield. Alan

Watkins. Wonderful hands. Briscoe! Wonderful footwork. It is a

fabulous, fabulous try from start to finish for Leeds. Ryan Hall with the

early release. Taking Leeds back and beyond the halfway line. Powerful

and fast running. Look at the hands from Watkins. Very subtle. And a

very good finish. It is a Leeds try. Saint field. `` Kevin Sinfield.

Watkins. Whacked it downfield. A hit and they hope. And he picks it up

again, Callum Watkins. Played onside. Peacock. Now it is Joel

Monaghan. `` now it is Moon. Ryan Hall! What a try, Leeds. It had a

little bit of everything here. We will see most of it again. Offside

is clear. Watkins kicked and court. Not fumbling, according to the video

referee. The grounding looks good. Confirmation is inevitable. Three

minutes into the second half, Leeds extending their advantage. Watkins

kicking and catching. Doing well to off`load. Peacock with a clean pair

of hands. Mooncakes. Hall is onside. No problems at all with that. Moon

`` moon kicks. Kevin Sinfield. Leeds looking wide again. Here comes

Watkins. Briscoe has two kick. Going out of play. Picked up. Outside of

the defender. He puts his foot down. A wonderful tackle by Zak

Hardaker. Excellent full`back play. They have got the better of him. It

was a try for Wigan. He was determined.

He has had a good game against his hometown club. Scott Taylor, anxious

to get on with it from dummy half. Tried to arrow in. At the second

attempt, he might have got it down. Have a look at the grounding here.

That looks OK. Not long left. It matters little. Surely there is no

way back for Wigan? Saint field. Peacock. `` Kevin Sinfield. With a

dummy! And a broken line, broken through. Liam Sutcliffe putting the

final touches to a fabulous Leeds performance. Claiming one for his

personal scrapbook. It is a night that Leeds will remember. It is

always funny, watching the highlights. You were shaking your

head at times but were you pleased? I think they have got over the start

of the year when they struggled with the World Cup challenge and the

logistics coming with that. Off the back of winning games. We wanted to

defeat them. We had a tough game against Saint Helens before and we

put ourselves up. I thought we played well. You have the job of

stopping on Thursday. What's TU of Leeds? Special players all over the

field. `` what do you think of Leeds? You have got to be in for a

fair bit of trouble. We have seen that in recent games. When they get

a bit of space they are a real handful. You're kicking game has to

be perfect. It is something we need to work with. We talked about Zak

Hardaker. He had a fantastic game. You brought him through at

Featherstone. What has he added to his game? He has been outstanding.

He has really grown as a leader and developed into a fantastic player.

This was outstanding. For me, his defence has been unbelievable. Very

good tackling. I think defensively there is not a better full`back in

the world. He is author than anybody. He has got that many tries

it is not funny. `` better than anybody. We have seen some of the

things that he has been doing. He is a special player. He has got so much

pace. Instinct as well as a rugby league player. So much is going for

him. He will challenge for the number one spot. How much do you

think they have missed Sean O'Loughlin? There is a sign that

when he does not play, they really find it difficult. The leadership

that he brings, he is a great player defensively. He is very tough. He is

a loss for them. One interesting thing with you is every thing is

talking about the back line. Ryan Hall defensively recently has been

getting the headlines. You said he has all up. He has `` he has been

building up a bit. He has been unbelievable. We have got Justin

Carney and we have got our own with Ryan Hall. It will be hard to stop

that back line. Yes, very difficult at the moment. So much pace and

size, looking at Ryan Hall. And he is quick. He has got very good

footwork as well. There are good all over the field. Not just focusing on

one area. Everybody in these teams will have to be outstanding to

challenge the best team at the moment. No respite. Wigan again. It

just keeps going. That is how it is. We have had some good games at the

moment against the best team. That is where you want to be, against the

best teams. Trying to play your best. Huddersfield are back into the

play`off places. The revival was put to the test by Darryl Powell and

Castleford on Sunday. It was a great start with another Michael Shenton

try. He has been superb this year. An international player, with this

man here. He has been superb this season. We talk about Ryan Hall and

Justin Carney, a winner that is a big bloke. Slotting into the centre.

He is a great finisher. Obviously a big man. He has got pace as well and

he is a great character. Fantastic finish here. At Huddersfield

stepped`up? We make a couple of errors. They scored on the next

set. That was disappointing from our point of view. Huddersfield are a

good side. Give them opportunities to come at you, and they are very

good. Some bad defence here. Not sure about this play, to be honest.

We just started to make errors. They are too good, giving them

opportunities like that. And we need to tidy up with defence. Obviously

Justin Carney stepping in here. Some disappointing one`on`one defence

errors. You showed character and you did not give anything away. Yes, we

fought back. Very good from Gibson. A fantastic kick here. We are in the

battles at the moment. We are really pleased. We are considering a couple

of soft tries. We really need to step up with the try line. We are in

the battle. It did not quite finished, the job. We are pleased

where we are at the moment and we are fighting hard for everything. 12

points down at this point. We will get ourselves back in. We are

pleased with the character and how we are going about business.

It is a squad of depth? Yes, but we have lost some big man. But we have

quality players this season. Clark has been going fantastically? He

gets a bit lucky but he has been fantastic. He is so quick and

aggressive. For Huddersfield, a big win for them, a big test for them?

Definitely went over that drop goal. Lost to Saint Helens, drew against

ourselves and then we see Danny Brough getting the drop goal. They

would like to win a game and they went out and did that. The manager

still not happy. He still wants to see more from them? He is a grumpy

old man, Paul Anderson. I will leave you to say that. He wants the best

out of his team. All coaches are grumpy anyway? You must be pleased

where your team is that, they have proved they can go toe to toe with

anybody? It is something we have talked about re`season. We have had

a couple of disappointments along the way. We have lost three games

and ten points. You know when you are in the battles you give yourself

a great opportunity and the character and resilience of the team

has been outstanding. We are pleased, had a couple of

disappointments, but generally we have bounced back. We lost to

Salford and then had a short turnaround and beat London. When we

lost to Saints became back and won a couple of games over Easter. So

hopefully we will get a response again. Bradford and Warrington have

been paired together in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals. And

there was a chance for an early rehearsal on Sunday when they played

in Super League. It was a dramatic afternoon.

Attacking problem here. Big hole opening up here. It is closed

equally quickly but Warrington are knocking on the door. They are five

metres away. Monaghan, slips it. Anthony England will score. The big

man will be delighted with that. Warrington in front after just six

minutes, but the Bulls, buoyed by last week 's Challenge Cup success

over Catalan, hit back. First Jamie Foster touched down in the corner.

Then a loose pass spilled by Chris Bridge allowed Brett Carnie to race

away and put Bradford ahead. Bradford picked it up. Almost a bit

of open field play. Still going from Brett Carnie. Russell has a race on

his hands. It is a race he's going to lose because Brett Carnie has

raced 60, 70 metres and touchdown in corner where Jamie Foster did. And

for the first time this afternoon, the Bradford Bulls are ahead. Centre

of the field they go. Gareth O'Brien. Chris Bridge is in on his

own. He will absolutely love that against his former club. Atkins

thinks he can go between men. He's got the ball and if Joel Monaghan is

away. Nobody is catching him. Kevin Penny touches down. A wonderful

break away from Warrington. Try time. It is number 11. That was

absolutely from the coaching ground. So was Warrington's reply. Monaghan

making sure the Wolves went in at the break ahead. The tit`for`tat

scoring continued in the second half with neither side able to build any

breathing space. Cute little kick through. Anthony England, standing

and releasing to Higham. Matty Russell might run round Gaskill. He

is into heavy traffic, Matty Russell. Still going. What are try.

You had no right to get that down from where you were. Breaks the

line. Adrian Purtell. Woeful Warrington defending. The Wolves try

to engineer possession in the final two minutes from between their own

sticks. Elliot Kear touchdown the loose ball. No try. But a penalty

for the Bulls and enabled Foster to effectively finish the game and seal

a Super League success for Bradford after seven straight defeats.

A huge win for Bradford, what will it mean for the players to be back

to zero points? It is a big thing for Bradford. They beat Catalan in

the cup and now they have beaten Warrington. But they still have a

mountain to climb. They brought a couple of players on loan. It is

difficult at this point of the season and they needed bodies. But

they brought to solid players in who have Super League experience? I

spoke to Franny a couple of times and he is looking for support up

front. They now have that and Aaron is a good quality player. You have

two paid tribute to Franny, to be able to help that group and the club

together and come up with those performances, is testament to his

character and quality as a coach. Warrington don't look great? They

have looked in different. They have been missing both halfbacks as well.

They have lost games you would think they would win and then they pull

out a great performance when they win 38`0, I think it was. Is there

any fear they won't make the top eight? There is at the moment but

they have enough quality players to put a run of form together. They are

not playing well. They have lost some confidence. They have lost a

couple of players. They have some young developing front row. They are

trying to find a way of playing but they are struggling. But they have

an experienced coach in Tony Smith. You would think they will come

together and galvanise at some point. Tony Smith was talking about

feeling the hurt and getting better as a result. That winter Bradford

meant London drop to the bottom of the table. In the last 24 hours,

Tony Ray has left his position as head coach. They have lost 11 out of

11 so far. Is Tony Ray's departure still a surprise? A little bit. You

would have thought because they had to recruit so late in the preseason

there wasn't a great expectation they would be any higher up the

ladder. It has been difficult for him. I think he has retained his

dignity and worked really hard. But it hasn't worked for them. It is a

little bit of a surprise to me. I hope Tony gets a job pretty soon.

Probably go back to Australia, I would think. I am a bit surprised,

yes. Big job that the new manager. You have been critical of them,

seeing them improving, what does he need to focus on? I think the

players are improving, but if you put together a team of Super League

players who just want to make a name for themselves, it will be difficult

to win games. When you are a fringe player, you are worried about

playing well for yourself, and it is just where they are at in their

careers now. He does know the players, which is a huge help to

him? Also, I saw some signs against Saint Helens they were piecing

something together. Let's see that game, Saint Helens got off to a

fantastic start? Saint Helens completely controlled the field

position. I don't think they had a ball in Saint Helens' laugh until

the last half an hour. It is difficult when you are playing

against a quality team like Saint Helens. They lack a bit of size.

Let's pick out this try, this Walsh blind pass. He was instrumental? He

did very well, Walsh. But I am going to go back to the big men. I believe

he played well off the back of Louie McCarthy`Scarsbrook. The big men

allowed him room to play. When they came off, Saint Helens did not look

as good and I think they struggled and that is when London came back

into the game. They needed that win, was this the perfect game? You would

have expected Saint Helens to win it. The chairman had come out and

criticise them publicly, which he did last year and he got a bit of

response. Not sure you can do that too often without knocking

confidence in the squad. But they got the win they badly needed. As a

player there would be some self`doubt. You have only beat a

team that have not won a game all year. As a player, you question

yourself a bit. You have had a poor run of form and you beat a team that

is not that good, there is still a few questions in their heads as

well. I would agree with that, particularly when people are coming

out and criticising you. To go out of the Challenge Cup is a big thing

for Saint Helens. They need to get some consistency and the pressure

will build if they don't get it. For London, Tony Ray left and he thinks

they will have a ex`2nd half of the season? They are better than they

were six or eight weeks ago. They look like they know each other and

enjoy playing with each other. Young players will better each game they

play. I struggle to see where a win will come from. Saints back to

winning ways and London under new management. What else has been

happening in Super League this weekend? Vikings travelled east,

Hull KR were next up for Widnes. The Devils met the Dragons. Was there

any joy for Salford in the South of France? And Wakefield were looking

to put some colour into their season against the black`and`white is in

Hull. Widnes' first away win of the season

was a 7`0 affair in March. Hull KR the opponents this time and this was

close? Widnes will be delighted with this win. Talk us through this try.

When you score a try as a prop, and you forget how good that feeling is.

You end up scoring a few because you like it. He was world class? The

manager taught the team apart but Kevin Brown did play well. You have

got to be able to run well and make your passes and make the right

decisions. He did turn up with a try at the death to win the game for

Widnes. It was a good Hull KR fight back? They have some quality

players. They are two teams who are expected to be in the eight. Hull

KR, they will be disappointed but they did put Widnes under some

pressure. Bennion is a box of tricks. He is quick. He does have

some good skill. Widnes were fantastic at the beginning of the

season on their own turf, but to go away from home in the last couple of

weeks and come away with big wins, show some character? It is almost

worth eight points for them. Most people would have been tipping

Widnes to lose. They keep shopping people `` shocking people. Hull KR

have got themselves seven in France, as a coach you think you have won

the game at this point? Anything can happen, you have never won the game

until the whistle goes. Widnes has great character and Dennis has done

a marvellous job. They are difficult to beat. To go over to those grounds

and win games away from home, you have to have a lot about you as a

team. But if you are the manager, you are not happy about this? No, he

won't be happy about this. He is a bit grumpy. They need to keep their

place in the top eight. Go into the play`offs and do something. Salford

have announced the signing of Kevin Locke for the 2015 season. They

expect more to come but the immediate concern for the coach is

to get back into the play`offs. Salford Red Devils were at Catalan

and Dave Woods was watching. COMMENTATOR Both sides will be

looking for a reaction after that defeat ending their challenge cup

hopes. That was not the best of starts by Salford. Straight out of

play. A Catalan penalty. And a chance for them to pick up their

position. A decent kick into touch. And here he comes with the initial

drive. Salford putting themselves under pressure right from the start.

A couple of drives, putting the French side within ten metres. Out

from dummy half, Pelissier. Escare pushing of Tim Smith and scoring the

opening try of the game. Barely one`minute plate and Catalan are

already up and running. `` one minute played. Just helping things

on here had dummy half. And again, Pelissier, a jiggle of the hips. And

a score for Daryl Millard right into the corner. It has been a

sensational start for the Catalan Dragons. They have had two tries in

seven minutes played. A solid effort. And a step here. On his way.

Quick hands from him, Pelissier. Watch this burning the surface.

Morgan Escare with his second. Catalan are flying. Absolutely

flying. Step on the inside from Taia. It was good and clever hands

with the defender coming in. And all about the footwork from Morgan

Escare in the end. Tommy Lee. Salford looking for a way back into

this game if they can. Smith with the past. Hawke does well. A

difficult pass and Francis Melly has scored. Salford have finally got a

word to say. A tough and thumping effort from him.

Tomkins. From the interchange bench where he started in this sunny

evening. Flicking it back. Salford looking right. Gleason. Putting on

the footwork. Leon Pryce is away. Vintage stuff from him. Williams is

over. And this is turning into a super Salford response now. Right

back in the contest. Very good footwork, standing up in the first

instance. And good support work from Danny Williams.

Tomkins. Chase. Across the line he goes. Greg Eden. He has got the gap.

Sailing part of the defence. And Salford Red Devils, they were 16 `

zero down, they will be leading 18`16 if they can get this super

try. He has found a bit of a way through

here. Leon Pryce and support. From the outside. And with the score. He

is looking for the replay here, the referee. Making sure the grounding

is OK. That is absolutely fine. This will be a try. Confirmed. And it is

a lot to Leon Pryce finding a way, a channel in that Salford defence. And

the man in support to finish, Taia. Tomkins looking left. With a dummy.

A double pump ROM Rangi Chase. Gareth Hock is through. Salford

bouncing right back again. It is becoming a great contest. They go

into the lead again. Chase. He timed the past absolutely perfectly. And

Gareth Hock away from the despairing hands, the dummy passing the

full`back. And the tries scored and the lead is going to be theirs

again. `` and the try scored. Leon Pryce. Leon Pryce X Mac `` Leon

Pryce! . `` Leon Pryce X mark `` Leon Pryce! .

Sprinting away. Catalan with their noses in front. Pelissier. The

referee is not interested in the high tackle and he says play on. A

push and a shove. Morgan Escare. He is going to run away with a

hat`trick of tries. And the one that will surely win it for Catalan now.

In the soup of they are on a super run. Really finding their warm. ``

in the super league. He is enjoying his moment in the sunshine, with a

hat`trick of tries. A case of running down the clock.

They have had a very good start. They had to weather a very spirited

Salford fightback but Catalan are going to win this. And a drop goal

seals it by Pelissier. 37`24. Just like it was a couple of weeks ago

against Hull Kingston Rovers. The drop goal seals it for Catalan. They

certainly looked like they were enjoying themselves. They look like

a different team from the start of the season. Very confident. They

have still got a lot of players missing as well. A little bit

different at home as opposed to a way. They are like all French teams.

It is completely different. They look like they are playing with a

bit of confidence. They have come out and the coach was under a lot of

pressure at one point. They got dragged back from the UK back to

France when they were really struggling. At the moment they look

like they have stabilised. They are playing well and scoring points.

Still conceding some points but they will be pleased they have

stabilised. A lot of injuries as we said but they have stepped up and

the leader has led from the front. He has been great in recent weeks.

He has got great intelligence. He might not be fluent in French but he

is a player that can step up like he did at the end of the game. He can

make the big plays. Looking at Salford in this game, you came in

halfway into the season last year at Castleford, how tough a job is this

for the boss? It is tough. There is massive expectation. It is different

to what I took on her Castleford where there was not expectation in

terms of finishing in the eighth. They were jumping up and down every

time something does not go their way. That will add pressure

constantly. They will be expected to get into the top eight. They have

lost a few matches on the spin. They will be under pressure. I think the

best thing is to step away a little bit and let him do his job. That is

the difficult thing to deal with. Have you seen a change since the new

man Western Mark I think we need to focus on the defence ``? I think we

need to focus on the defence and let them be a bit more free playing.

They do need to focus on defence. They have not to back their talent

and defensive lapses let them down. They have wrought in Kevin Long. Is

that a good signing? Without a doubt. No question he will add to

the Salford team and the super league competition. He is a good

signing. They have got good players. The key is getting the coaching

right and blending them together. It will be difficult doing it with the

salary cap. But we will see. I think I will pass on that one! Back on the

field for the first time in almost a fortnight, Wakefield Wildcats hoped

to avoid a seventh consecutive defeat and it looked like a home win

all the way. When they go out, they should have finished that game. I

think they would have been disappointed at the end, coming back

into the game and winning it. Going here and winning, it is very tough.

16 in front. Dominating the first half. What goes wrong at that point?

With mentality, you get away from the team and you can get them on

Barack a little bit and expected to just happen. That might have been

the case. `` you can get them on the rack a little bit. They can

challenge you. We played a couple weeks ago and we were put under

pressure. When you get momentum in a game it is very difficult to stop.

Wakefield had momentum and got on top and they were confident and

confidence ebbed away from their opponents. A couple of players sin

binned. Did you feel that played into Wakefield's hands? I do not

think you can blame things like that. It should not affect the rest

of the game. Like we said, they lost momentum and could not get it back.

It was a lapse of concentration allowing Wakefield back into the

game and underestimating the quality of their players. A big thing with

Bradford winning. Massive. They would have had a look at that. It

would have knocked them sideways. They would be expected to close the

gap. It generates really good character, people fighting tooth and

nail. You know that it is going to be a lot of battles on the way.

Bradford are starting to win. A couple of teams will be a bit

nervous. Just looking at money and getting in his years and has a

group, you think they did not get them energised and what did you make

of that? They definitely have energy because they went 16`0 ahead. It is

difficult when a side is on the front foot and trying to create

energy for yourself. I think it was a bit naive going back to that. It

was a big job. Does he just needs time? Definitely. It is a tough one.

I did a similar job at Leeds over ten years ago. It is difficult when

you are going into a big organisation and you are expected to

manage the whole group. The expectation, that is another club

with the expectations. There is a lot of pressure on him at the

moment. He will need to choose his words carefully. When you are

frustrated after a game. You have to get your words right. Back to

winning ways. How does that leave things in the table? Wildcats are

still clear of Bradford, off the bottom of the table. Leeds are one

ahead. Saint Helens in second. Catalan with a fourth consecutive

victory, level on points with Hull and Warrington. Castleford and Leeds

are first up in round 12, meeting on Thursday. Wigan going to hold.

Saints and Bradford. Home games for Warrington, Widnes, Warrington and

Salford. Follow the Leeds game where coverage begins at 730 on radio five

live. We will be back with The Super League Show and the earlier time of

11:25pm next Monday night with a repeat at 1am `` 1pm on Tuesday

lunchtime on BBC Two. You have been very friendly. You do not talk to

each other now until Thursday. Well, that is it. Enjoy the battle

on Thursday ex Malcolm ``! Do not forget, 11:25pm next week, see you

then, goodbye. From you six today, we want refined

food that impresses, guys.