Episode 25 Super League Show

league season is about to come to the boil. The Challenge Cup

semifinals are just around the corner. Before that, Super League.

Here is what is coming up. Widnes are in front in the race for eighth.

Can they stay in front of Hull KR? Was it dancing with Wolves are a

pain in the rain for Warrington in prepping an? `` in France? And Joel

Tomkins is back in Leeds `` in league with the Wigan Warriors.

With us in the studio, Jon Wilkin representing

table`topping St Helens, and Richard Mathers from the play`off

And we'll start with that race for the top eight play`off places.

With just five games to go, Widnes were occupying that crucial

eighth position in the table, but just a point clear of Hull KR,

Brown with the cake. Picked up by Jack Owens. He will get the first

points of the afternoon for the Widnes Vikings.

Keating! He spends away to score. `` spins.

A chance to break for Hull KR. What a vital tackle! It is not going to

count. What an interception. He runs towards the corner. Chris

Dean with the score for Widnes. Dave Allen going down the right. Joe

Mellor is going to race away and extend the lead further from the

Widnes Vikings. `` for the Widnes Vikings. Widnes on a roll. Can they

keep it going? Owens plays it to Brown. It have to be. `` it had to

be. Rhys Hanbury... He sidesteps

another. What an effort! What a score from Rhys Hanbury! That will

be the try that will win them the game. It has been an excellent

afternoon for the Widnes Vikings. Another big win for Widnes. They

have a 3`point buffer now? Without doubt. It was a big game for both

sides. Widnes with that win will feel a lot more comfortable going

into the final few games. It is certainly not over. Mathematically

there are a lot of sides in the running. Salford and Wakefield. It

is a tough loss for Hull KR. I quite fancied them to work get some

momentum if they had won that game. `` to get some momentum. A great

platform for the cup semifinals. Kevin Brown fit. Emphasising how

important he is? He is massive. He has put his own stamp on that team.

His variety of passing is massive. That is one of the things in a game

plan against Widnes. It takes up 80% of your planning. A massive bonus

for them. In terms of the race for the eight, is that it for Hull KR? I

think so. Obviously they will dispute that. I personally think

Widnes have been one of the great teams this year. Rhys Hanbury has

been in great form. If you look at their squad, I think Denis Betts has

done a great job. He has got them playing a nice style of rugby.

Everybody has been talking about this semifinal being a huge cloud on

the horizon for them and it will nearly put them off during Super

League but it does not seem to have affected them. Josh Hodgson going to

the Canberra Raiders. A great move? Yes, really exciting. One you could

not turn down. He is only 24. He has been around a long time. He has been

consistently good. A massive loss for Hull KR. A big player for them.

Really exciting opportunity for him to play in Australia.

Wakefield's remarkable win at Warrington last week put

the Wildcats firmly back in the hunt for a play`off place.

You were up against Huddersfield yesterday, Richard,

and this one didn't go quite so well from the start, did it?

Yes, there were ominous signs when the ball went out on the full. Joe

Wardle crashed over and got them to a great start. We were on the back

foot. We did not give ourselves a chance. When we have the ball we

turned it over cheaply. Wakefield were too big and strong for us. Eorl

Crabtree going over early. Shaun Lunt back on the side, his first

appearance since May. We talked about Hodgson before in terms of how

important hookers are. Shaun Lunt? He had a really big influence on the

game. We will brush past the defending! He had a really good

afternoon. He had a lot of injuries this season. It is a good time to

get fit. Huddersfield, as we watch the procession for the Giants, they

seem this season to be pace keeping rather than pace setting? I think

they have been a bit scratchy all year. They have had to deal with

that, being the champions and the table toppers last year. I thought

Richie Moore was going to catch him. Huddersfield play well when their

middle plays well. It is a good sign for them. For your boys, Ritchie, I

thought the second half was good. You turned around really well? We

did. We were 32 points behind. There is not what you can do at

half`time. He was really positive. We competed in the second half. We

got back in the game but it was too late. We needed to win all I games

to give ourselves a chance. It is not inconceivable. We will dust

ourselves down. The reality of it is we are running out of games. It is

doable. Back to back defeats left Warrington

outside the top four going The Wolves have been beaten

by Widnes and Wakefield in recent weeks, and had the long

trip to Perpignan on Friday night. Warrington Wolves looking to get

the first points here And the penalty goes the way

of Warrington. So this gives the Wolves

a great opportunity, here. Ben Harrison.

Stopped a couple of metres away. Michael Monaghan,

he's got a lot to do here. The man who's been out

for the last seven weeks, But he spun away and got that

down and gives Warrington the lead. Warrington now,

Richie Myler has dropped that one. Well, there has been poor weather

in the South of France. The rain has been falling

and it's caused quite a few errors. There is another one from

Richie Myler. Catalan, in a great position here,

with Whitehead. The pass goes to ground,

it's picked up by Oldfield. And the Catalan Dragons making

the most of the Warrington mistake. It may not look it, but I'm sure

Laurent Frayssinous is a happy man. The vision, there,

from Michael Monaghan, Jean Ormsby will put

Warrington Wolves back in front Charged down by

Warrington Wolves. Richie Myler,

the man to stop that one. What can they do here,

with Joel Monaghan? Monaghan,

wrapped up by two Catalan players. But Joel Monaghan has stayed

down for Warrington. Looking at the replay,

to see what happened. A bit of a high hit from

Gregory Mounis. That's the reason why Joel Monaghan

stayed down. That's going to be a penalty

for Warrington. Unusually,

they are going for the kick here. And that has gone straight

through the posts. They have been the conditions

in the South of France, Tony Smith,

not happy with the nature Pryce. The pass for Whitehead, who

puts the grubber kick through. He's looking to get onto the end

of that one himself. Well, the referee is going to

handle this one upstairs. The decision here is

whether or not Whitehead got there Very close decision,

almost simultaneous, But who managed to get the hand

and put it down first in goal? The decision has gone the way

of a no try. Gareth O'Brien, superb defending,

doing enough to touch that down Catalan, looking for a way back

into this one. A big drive towards the post

from Pelissier. But Mounis is going to have

a go himself. And he does what Pelissier couldn't

do, Well, the first battering ram

of Pelissier didn't work. But the second one, of Mounis,

certainly did. Here's Michael Monaghan,

the architect Now Chris Bridge,

with a grubber kick through. Well,

he certainly dived onto that one. I think it's

a similar situation to the Whitehead Did Rhys Evans get there first

before the Catalan Dragons? It looks like he did,

and it has been given. Rhys Evans, with a superb,

Superman`like dive there. After the nice little kick

from Chris Bridge, It's been tit`for`tat this evening,

in terms of tries, as Catalan are Well, they certainly don't know when

to give up, the Catalan Dragons. A kick from Warrington,

comes off a Catalan man. It is picked up by Ratchford,

Ratchford to Joel Monaghan. And Monaghan will go over

for Warrington. Picking up on the loose ball,

after the kick. It comes off the hand of

Ian Henderson. And he fed

in Joel Monaghan to score. A little grubber kick,

heading towards the right corner. Michael Oldfield,

with the hat`trick try. Once again, Richard Silverwood

is sending this one upstairs. Will Michael Oldfield be given

his hat`trick try? This is probably

the better angle to tell. It looks

like he's got that one down. And it does go the way of Michael

Oldfield and the Catalan Dragons. And we're in for

an exciting final few minutes here in the South of France because of

this effort from Michael Oldfield. What can the Catalan Dragons do

here with their final chance? The ball goes to ground

from Whitehead's pass and that will Tony Smith's side, after

back`to`back defeats, get back to Nice finish, very exciting finish

after a couple of defeats for England. That was a very nicely

timed to victory? Difficult place to go, and

exceptional pre`match build`up to the game, it's probably the loudest

atmosphere you go into as a player. When Michael Oldfield scored that

try, you got to be thinking if Catalan Dragons have anything in the

tank to win the game. The most pleasing aspect will be the win for

Tony Smith, the last five minutes, to keep them out and win the game is

a nice confidence boost. A guy you know from your time and

Warrington, Michael Monaghan, he ran the show, they are going to miss him

when he retires? He's been out for several weeks, to

come in and give a performance like that, he is the heartbeat of the

side. He creates so many opportunities for those around him.

He's tough as a competitor comedy drives that signed along. He had a

game on Saturday night. Some players contribute in terms of toughness,

physicality or they bring something. What Monaghan, for me, brings, is

smarts. He's a smart player around the rock. You have to be defensively

great, his experience tends to get it right. Tony Smith, usually

appreciative at the end. Your boys recently got walloped there. Why is

it still is a tough place to go? I was just thinking, seven years since

the Catalan side came in. You would think teams would work out the magic

formula. I guess it is the travelling element, you know,

different food, just all of those things rolled into one making it a

challenging trip if you don't manage it well. Like John said, a hostile

crowd, a really good side, to match that. It's a tough place to play.

Catalan always play well at home. It's not so much the sides

travelling there, I think the difference, the marked difference,

is with Catalan Dragons, they always play well. Briefly, are they OK now,

are they secure? I think so. I think those last two places are settled.

Richard and the other guys are scrapping out there. Unless they go

on a really bad run, I think seventh and eighth are nearly settled. Well,

there's still quite a few weeks left. Warrington into the semifinals

in winning form. Still to come, we'll see how everybody else got on

in Round 23. Getting back in business, Wigan are

looking to return to winning ways. They face Salford. We get the

Tompkins take on life back in league after two years in the union. And

it's Derby night at Headingley. Can relegated Bowls make it two in a row

St Helens whereat Hull FC on Friday, playing for the Steve Prescott Cup,

in memory of their former full`back. He represented both clubs with real

distinction. He died last year, after a long and courageous battle

against cancer. Another special night for a special bloke. You were

a number of players that missed out for St Helens in this one. Your

verdict on what you saw? You spoke about Catalan Dragons being

difficult to play against, but Hull are notoriously difficult at the KC

Stadium. One of the best finishers I played with, and not a bad one here,

Richard Horne, coming off that big right foot.

One of the issues we have had in tight games like this is that we

struggled to defend the line at times. You've got to credit Hull. I

thought when they created opportunities, they had any field

position, they tuck the chances. There were certainly some elements

of our defence, tries like that, so close to your line, that's your

bread and butter. As the side that is top of the lead, we should be

doing better. Luckily, you have a guy by the name of Paul Wellens. We

waxed lyrical about Monaghan, he's set to retire, I don't think he's

ready to retire? No, he sold as a conker tree, he just keeps going.

He's doing exceptionally well. We've got great talkers and organisers.

Really, it wasn't good enough performance. We put far too much

ball down. As I mentioned, again, with this try here, close to your

line you got to defend better than that. Then it becomes the Joe

Westerman show. A penalty and drop goal to win it? He's one of the

players that's been exceptional this season. He plays very similar to

Sean O'Loughlin, and a lot of what they do goes through him. He's

probably not renowned for this piece of skill, the drop goal. But his

overall contribution for Hull is massive. Everybody who supports Hull

knows what a huge contribution he's made. A quick word on St Helens

injuries, you are struggling for half`backs? Yes, that's nothing

new. Luke Walsh has been a huge signing for us and it's

disappointing that he's out, myself, Johnny Lomax, we are all injured. In

adversity, in a crisis, some people come through and take their

opportunity. That is what you hope for. We are top of the league, lots

to be optimistic about. We keep saying, up and down this year, top

of the league every week? Everybody is. That is what makes it so

watchable. Joel Tomkins has finally made an appearance forward in. He

returned after a spell in rugby union. A back injury delayed his

second debut until his game against Salford. The Wigan fans are hoping

for more memorable moments like this one.

Suddenly there is open space for Joel Tomkins! He pushes away one

defender! Back to the middle... Sidesteps between two one of the

great Wembley tries! In his first spell, he played an integral part in

both Challenge Cup and Grand Final triumphs. In 2011, he crossed the

great divide, and joined rugby union side Saracens, even going on to

representing land and become a jewel code international. Now he's back in

Super League, where he belongs. was a great challenge. I have been

brought up on rugby league. It is in my blood. Whilst I was away I was a

mass of Wigan fan. It was good to see the club do so well. I have

watched every game that has been on TV and the last couple of years.

Kept up`to`date with everything that has gone on. It was great to see

them win the Challenge Cup and the Grand Final. There is obviously that

bit in the back of your mind where you think you are missing out. In a

way it was tough to watch. It is fantastic just to see the club going

so well after a few tough years of the past decade. It is nice that the

last few years have been successful. There are Wigan players in numbers.

It is going to be touched down by Tomkins!

He made his Wigan debut in 2005 as a 17`year`old. He played his last

league Game six years later in the play`offs. Since his return, a back

injury kept him out to start with. Absolutely huge differences. The

only similarity is at the pitch and the ball. They are completely

different games. I probably did not realise how different until I went

over and played at. You have to understand both games to appreciate

them. I am glad I went over no because I feel I have got a good

understanding and appreciation codes. It is great to be back in

rugby league. I. I hope by come back a better player. I have obviously

learnt some skills. I hope I can transfer them to rugby league.

Tomkins adds another Di mentioned to Shaun Wane's squad. A chance for a

player and coach to have a long`awaited reunion. He has coached

me since I was 13. That was my regret leaving the club, that I

would not get it tends to play under him. It is great to have a chance to

do that. This club is going to be successful. It has a good foundation

and a good backbone. We are coming into good form. The young lads are

playing well and the old heads are getting back to fitness. With a mix

of the and the experienced lads, I think we are in a good place. ``

with a mix of the young lads. This town on a Friday night, eight

o'clock, everybody goes to the stadium to watch the club. It is

nice to be back. I am looking forward to getting on the pitch.

Joel Tomkins back in the Cherry and Whites of Wigan.

The opposition for his return to the field were the

play`off hunting Salford Red Devils, whose last win in Wigan was at

Salford came up short against Leeds a week ago. They need a win here to

improve their chances of finishing in the top eight and the play`offs.

No Kevin Locke for Salford tonight. There is one big`name returning for

Wigan. Joel Tomkins will make his second Wigan debut this evening. He

starts the night on the bench. Their Wigan team looking for a win to keep

the pressure on St Helens. `` this Wigan team.

Wigan looking to press. An opportunity to put the pressure on.

Matty Smith with the kick through. Bowen! Has he got there? Matty

Bowen, did he touch down? It is short of the line. And a try is

given. 13 minutes played. Wigan have their opening score. A threaded kick

by Matty Smith and an intuitive chase by Matty Bowen.

Wigan delivering with speed. Gelling with power to get through! Anthony

Gelling, on behalf of our mark, Wigan just producing some daylight

between themselves and Salford. Josh Charnley finds an angle. Two

tries without Salford touching the ball here. Wigan with two very

quickfire scorers which sets them up in a very comfortable position.

Gelling with the quick hands, and Josh Charnley finding the path on

the inside. Anthony Gelling! In amongst a tangle

of bodies, he is claiming the score. He seems pretty confident. The video

referee being called into action. That is why. The try is given. Just

after the break, Wigan increase their lead. Anthony Gelling set off

with one purpose in mind. And he achieved it. Joel Tomkins on the

field. 55 minutes played. It is his second Wigan debut.

Josh Griffin is claiming unlikely try here. Touch, grounding? Those

are the questions. It is in a shade or two from the touchline. Josh

Griffin will claim a real opportunistic try. The kick was

cute, the finish was even more acute back row. `` more acute. Matty Smith

going for the drop goal. That re`establishes a four score a lead

in Wigan's favour. One point could make all the difference. Matty Bowen

has got electrifying pace. And Anthony Gelling on his outsider

scores his hat`trick try. Salford ripped apart down the middle. Smith

and Boeing are developing a real understanding. Gelling with the

simple finish. The referee says play`On. Here comes

a charging run from Williams. He has slipped them all! They are left

grasping thin air. Doesn't that delight the Wigan coaching team? He

looked an unlikely scorer, Williams. He made the break simply because of

the number of defenders around him. He has found a way through. Shaun

Wane loves the moment. A chance for Salford to build some pressure.

Re`establish some confidence. The handling is poor. It has gone to

ground. It is Tony Clubb who kicks on and chases. The bounce of the

ball is kind and he touches down! It is another unlikely scorer. Tony

Clubb is not going to complain about the circumstances.

Matty Smith with the dummy. And a weave and the try. Straight away it

is going to the video referee. Obstruction. Salford defenders

prevented from making a tackle because of the position of the Wigan

players. Nothing wrong with the finish and nothing wrong with the

score. Wigan back with a bounce after defeat last week. A huge win

for Wigan. Were you surprised at how one`sided this was? Yes, I was. I

was expecting it to be a physical, closing counter. Salford have come

integrate form in the last couple of weeks. On the night Wigan were just

too physical for them. We saw some great tries late on. That foundation

was all about the middlemen. Very clinical try scorers. Anthony

Gelling getting a run in the side and taking it? Yes, he is one of

those guys who always seems to play well. When he gets his hands on the

ball, you look at the size of him, he is always got to be a threat. A

big part of Gelling playing well has been Boeing coming into form. ``

Bowen. He is getting an opportunity at centre as well? We spoke about

opportunities arising through injury. Gelling may have scored a

hat`trick but Ritchie is right, the game was won and lost in the middle

of the field. We have probably not seem so dominant performance in the

middle of the field as we saw from Wigan. Salford recently resurgent.

Where did this come from? The foundations, the bread and butter

stuff, the stuff you have to do to win games. Winning the collisions

and handling the big man. The nitty`gritty things. You get your

energy to play in that space. They had really good form leading into

the game but they got beaten up on the night.

Leeds and Bradford have had some right old battles down the years.

Friday night's meeting at Headingley didn't have quite as much riding on

it as their Challenge Cup and Grand Final meetings of the past, but

as we all know, when local pride is on the line, anything can happen.

And it did on the night, Richie? Yes, it was the last derby in Super

League. A great crowd. You have got to give all of the credits to

Bradford. There was a lot of talk about Leeds resting players but

Bradford turned up and played really well. There are a couple of tries

that will go on the Christmas highlights reel of comedy. Here is a

worrying injury for Ben Jones Bishop. We talk about Johnny Lomax

being out. He has had an awful run as well. Yes, he has obviously

landed awkwardly, twisted his knee. There will be some form of ligament

damage. It is disappointing. He has had some bad luck and some unusual

injuries as well. These are the comedy tries. You will enjoy these,

Richie! There is another one after this. Good for Christmas viewing.

Anything they can do, Leeds can do as well. At this time of the year

when it gets wet, guys have got to get their heads around playing Grand

Final football. It is usually wet. That is probably what caused a lot

of guys out. We have seen a few guys slipping this weekend. Briscoe with

the try here. I was impressed by Bradford. But given that try, Leeds

could have Nick this? To yes, definitely. When you play any Leeds

side, they can score from anywhere. This seals it. You can see how much

it means to Bradford. They have been through some tough times in the last

few years. You can see by the team spirit, it is a great win for them.

The icing on the cake there. A very good win. Considering some of the

things Bradford have gone through, the things that have been asked of

them as a group of fans, some exceptional support. It is obviously

a derby and it means so much. Since they have gone down, they have other

couple of amazing results? Yes, they beat the Rhinos. They will be

planning for next season and wanting to finish this season with a bang

and get some momentum going into next season. Absolutely huge. Leeds

losing but Castleford will head into the Challenge Cup semifinalists ``

semifinals as the unbeaten side in Super League.

They're unbeaten in their last six matches, including this ultimately,

and perhaps predictably comfortable win over London on Sunday.

You always felt the way Castleford were playing that they would be too

strong. That proved to be the case. They are a great attacking side.

Castleford are one of the most exciting teams to watch. Tries like

this really highlight that. They can play from Annie were on the field.

`` anywhere. You expect to see them attempt to score points. They got

themselves back into the lead. They are having good spells but these

spells are only lasting ten minutes. Physically they can match

teams for short periods. But when you have genuinely got quality in

your team... That was the first of a quickfire hat`trick. This is the

second and third to follow. He is impossible to tackle. As a full`back

there you are thinking, God help me. I have got to throw my body in

front. You know you are going to come off second best because of his

dimensions. This is when the floodgates opened. They capitalised

on some tired defence from London. The variety of tries, they can score

on the left side, they can score on the right side. We have seen tries

of the kicking game. `` off. Another one for the big guy. It was a

procession of tries. It was painful viewing. It was only 28`12 at

half`time. What does a result like this do for a Castleford going into

the semifinal? Probably not a lot, honestly. Widnes will have got more

out of their game. It gives you an opportunity to work through some

shape. They certainly scored points. One of the biggest factors for me is

they brought Darrell Clarke to dummy half. He has been one of the

standout players. I think he has been really key. Talk me through

this. London kick off and Castleford score. Not much happening. They have

no right to. Look at the support. If you pause that picture there, there

are six Castleford players in the frame. It is anticipation. They are

expecting to make breaks. As a side when you have got dangerous players

in the team, you are expecting to make breaks. That is what they are

doing in numbers. Let?s see where the Tigers

and everyone else stand in the Don't forget live coverage

of the Challenge Cup semi`finals on Saturday and Sunday,

and we'll be back with the Super Predictions for the semifinals? I am

going to go for a west Yorkshire final. I think Castleford and the

Leeds Rhinos will win. The script is therefore the Leeds Rhinos to get

there. And Castleford's fairy tale season will continue. Two appetising

semifinals. What is your call? I agree with Richie. Leeds will be

stronger with Gary Sinfield on the side. I would love to see Castleford

in the Challenge Cup final. We will see if you are right. I will write

that down and get back to you. That's it for this week. Live

coverage of the Challenge Cup semifinals on Saturday and Sunday.

We are back with you for the Super League showing a couple of weeks.

See you then. Goodbye. I've never ever, ever done

gymnastics at all. they haven't trained hard enough.

Crazy hard. Celebrities compete

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