Episode 26 Super League Show

It is one of the biggest weeks in the Rugby League calendar.

It ends with the Challenge Cup final, and we have a complete review

of the Super League weekend. The Tigers and the Rhinos are on their

way to the final. Michael Shenton and Danny Maguire

have taken a brief detour off the road to Wembley. They

will be looking forward and back with us over the next 45 minutes.

Here is what is coming up. Our rivals on the rise? Hull KR looking

Here is what is coming up. Are Rovers on the rise? Hull KR

to stay in the play`off hunt, they play Wigan. Who will go forth and

Warrington? The Wolves and the Tigers get back to Super League

business. And we are stepping out on Wembley Way. It is cup final week

As we're ending the week in the capital

Challenge Cup finalists Leeds were there on Sunday,

up against Super League's bottom club, London.

The Broncos had played 23, lost 23,

and suffered some absolute thumpings.

The Rhinos rested nine of the team that beat Warrington last week, and

Zak Hardaker tackled inside the Broncos 10.

Sutcliffe out towards Watkins on the far side.

He takes it almost up to the line gets the ball away for Waters.

Again it is worked out towards the right`hand side.

Watkins takes it along the line and gets it back inside to Sutcliffe.

And the Rhinos have found their way through.

The pass out of the back of the hand, and Atkins is in.

Back in front of the Rhinos' posts again.

It goes to Keyes, and the Broncos are in.

Booms the pass to Achurch, and Achurch is in!

Can Leeds Rhinos spring a counterattack?

In the centre field, Hardaker brought the ground,

Hardaker is going over for the Rhinos.

And the Rhinos in centrefield once again.

And it is Dickson who scores on his return for the Broncos.

And that is an easy finish straight through the hole.

It is Achurch who takes the ball forward.

Steps off his man, fends off another and Achurch is in.

And it is touched down by Scott Moore.

Farah finds Keyes and Keyes has stepped through a gap.

And so, Drinkwater with the conversion to put the Broncos ahead.

Zak Hardaker stepped his way through.

Paul Leighton, out to Sutcliffe, who passes to Watkins

And here is Kallum Watkins, scampering towards the line.

And Mataitonga, there is the foot in touch.

And the Broncos have recorded a sensational victory.

It is their first of the Super League season.

A number of 1st`team players did not play

It has been a very tough season for them.

It must get disheartening losing every week.

But they have shown a lot of character there.

They fought back and showed a lot of character from 30`8.

We rested a few players with the cup coming this week.

But we have got a good enough team on paper to have

It makes it a little bit more difficult now for that top spot.

Regardless of the opponents being bottom of

the table London, when you lead as you did, as you mentioned, you

Maybe a little bit of a lack of experience in the team.

Obviously getting into the lead and not able to control

We had some of the lads, Ashley Golden, 17 `year`old, he might be

bound for the Super League, in 18 months time, but he has been

He knows what it takes to be a 1st team player

so it will be a good experience for some of the younger guys.

I don't know what you thought when you heard that result.

It will do their confidence, the world of good, with most people

thinking that they would go through the season without winning a game.

It definitely shocked the world of rugby.

It was a strong team out as Danny said.

It must have been a disheartening season

but they have stuck together and shown great spirit and character.

30`8, the comeback from that is no mean feat.

Your mate, Ritchie Mathers, will be down there.

They are already assembling players to try to get back into the

For a while, they have been planning for next year.

Obviously, with the new structure of the lead, they are staying

full`time and they have got some experienced players like my mate

Richie, and he will bring in real professionalism to them down there.

It will be interesting to see how they go next year.

What did Brian McDermott say, in training afterwards?

I think like I said before, we have got 5 or 6 internationals

in that team, definitely enough quality to go

down there and get the victory, we did not speak about it much today.

We have got the big fixture coming up at the weekend

Not putting it to bed, but disappointed

Another big trip to London for Leeds.

A good win for London, and that actually began on Thursday night.

Defending Super League champions Wigan were away against

Hull Kingston Rovers, and your commentator

If they have not had the best of times travelling east of the

Pennines this season. The FISA Bradford, Wakefield and Huddersfield

amongst others. Hull Kingston Rovers needing to win after that defeat

against Widnes, to keep alive their hopes of the top 8. 1 change to the

team who played against Widnes. Craig call is recalled. And a few

returning players at just the right time. And Eddie Petty born is on the

bench tonight. Here is a Loughlin. Smith shuffling the ball out of the

right`hand side. The 1st start since his return for Joel Tomkins here

tonight. Looking to build up his match fitness. And as light to the

line. The referee is not sure if he has got there. Sanderson, stopping

short, was there an element of double movement, was a momentum? The

referee has given a try with 2 minutes played. Wigan already have

the lead. Building up nicely down this site, real determination from

Sanderson to get there. Solidly taken forward by Walker. Still

going. That is pretty good. Only 5 yards away. Hodgson, are from dummy

half. Lots of space. Gardner estimation Mark they have taken the

pass. That was a very difficult 1. He could not quite gather it in.

Frustrating times for the new coach, Chris Chester. Learning what it is

like to be a coach in the box. This is powerful stuff. Hodgson. Keatings

with the kick to the corner. And is it a touchdown? Craig Hall will

claim that. The referee wants to see it again. Josh Charnley got his

fingertips to it. It is directed away from Cockayne. And that looks

as if it was there. It is a score. Hull Kingston Rovers back level,

through Craig call, with 20 minutes played. The kit from Keatings. Just

about perfect. As was the finish. Farrell. Stepping away. And what

about that for a tackle from Gardner? Unbelievable. He loves it,

he loves it. And well he might. He has forced the knock`on. The

shoulder in. That is how you do it, that is how you do it! Eden. Taken

by James Green. He is having an impact since his arrival from the

interchange bench. Hodgson. Keatings again. They are coming in numbers,

and Jason Chan, what time for Hull Kingston Rovers score. A couple of

minutes before the break. And it looks as though they are going to

take the lead into half`time, thanks to Jason Chan. Still a couple to go

for Wigan. Farrell. Along the line. Sargison has looked handy throughout

the evening, troubling that Hull Kingston Rovers defence. And it is

picked up by Jason Chan. How quick is the? The chase is after him.

Jason Chan tries to step away from Williams. Anti`slip server. Hull

Kingston Rovers with all the momentum. Hall, at dummy half. It

will be interesting to see if that Wigan defence was ready. It was.

Hodgson. Wigan still holding on. Back on the line. Hodgson. Looking

left again. Keatings. Over the top. And here comes Ben Cockayne. He

finishes what Jason Chan had started. And Hull Kingston Rovers

are looking even healthier now, with this lead. Loving it, absolutely

loving it. It finished in glory for Hull Kingston Rovers with Ben

Cockayne at the corner. Time is running out. Only seven minutes left

to play. And Wigan have to score twice. Hull Kingston Rovers only

need to put on a show of good defensive work. It will be a very

valuable victory for them. That's nice. And here is O'Loughlin. And

the seven minutes to play, there is hope for Wigan. Green, creating the

hall, and O'Loughlin with the finish. It is nervous as Hull

Kingston Rovers Hang on. They are within touching distance of Widnes,

with Wiggin needing a win to go top tonight. It had looked as though

they were going to be denied, but we are enter the final ten seconds.

Wigan moving it wide. This is the last play of the night. And here

comes the score. He cannot believe it. They cannot believe it. Wigan

have levelled it at 14`14. A valuable two points for Hull

Kingston Rovers has been snatched from their grasp, and Wigan have a

chance, still, all going top. Matty Smith with a chance to win it. A

point for either side is no good. Matty Smith launches it towards

goal. And he has missed. He has missed. The trial comes to naught.

It is a point apiece, but nowhere near enough for either of these

sites. But what if any. Absolutely brilliant finish. Dash`mac what a

finish. I was on the edge of my seat

watching that. It was definitely a point lost for them. Wigan have

showed their quality. They had never say die attitude and composure. It

just showed in that clinical finish. What happened in that last ten

minutes? Was it a bit of panicking? Especially the centres and fast

forwarding, they did well pressuring. Craig Hall tried to come

in and shut down the plane. But, with ten seconds to go, I am not

sure that it was the right thing to do. What are you thinking when

you're defending on the line there, when you're the cosh? You have got

to work together and have trust on your insight. Not make any rash

decisions. You have got to give credit to Wigan, playing into the

last seconds. Gary has been one of their better players, one of their

most improved players. And Charlie is a great finisher. The highlight

of the match for me, let's have a look at this, from Adie Gardner.

Perfect. Definitely. Great technique. I have been on the end of

a few of those in my career. Every week. It was great from Adie

Gardner. The winger has got to make decisions to come in or stay out.

And it was the right one there. I'm sure that Sargison was a little bit

sore the next day. That leaves Wigan still handily placed. But it is not

a fixture where they would have expected to drop points. Hull

Kingston Rovers is still a difficult place to go during the season. Wigan

played great, but to show that composure and have that in the back

pocket to get themselves out of trouble at the end, they had a good

chance of making it at the end. Leaders, Saint Helens, return to

Wakefield on Friday night. Their line`up was far from full strength.

Your former club, just keeping their noses in front. Definitely, St

Helens have a few injuries that people have been talking about. They

have some real quality players there, and on the bench. Every week

I'm asking how good a finisher he is. Probably the best in the

competition now. He is renowned for getting the ball down in the

tightest space. He has got a real knack for it. Here's another player

that St Helens should be proud of that has come through the system. He

is definitely a potential England player, in my opinion. Joint scorer

with 24 tries. This is McDonald with his debut try. Good stamina he

shows, good gas. Yes, McCormick is out for the season and he comes in.

He has had a rough time at all, but to make his debut there and score

two tries. He did well. What about Wakefield? We saw Richard Warner

running one into the corner. He the good for five weeks. The sort of

result makes me think that they are winding down now. They are safe. No

chance of getting into the play`offs. As a player you never put

your nightly Iraq. But they will be looking forward to the holidays. And

St Helens, they have got a lot to play for. And four wins out of five.

That is another one. A good little run, St Helens. They might not be

impressing a lot of people but they are winning games. Definitely

impressive. We played against them twice, and he ran the show both

times. They have got people stepping up. We talked about the young lads

that they are building a team around, they are doing a good job.

That is another one, and possibly there have been rumours that force

would be going back to throw you. He would be a big loss, but Burns would

be a good signing and a very good player. St Helens continue to lead

the way at the top end of the table. Let's find out how everyone

else has been shaping up just behind them. The Giants are on a roll.

Widnes are next in line for inform Huddersfield. Running with the

proles. Bradford looking for a third straight win. They take on Hull FC.

And the devil 's work is a visit from the Dragons. Salford play the

Catalans. Now Huddersfield have started to

string some results together. They were looking

for a fourth consecutive victory Do performances matter

at this stage of the season? Probably coming up to play`offs and

big games performances do matter. You want to get the result

and finish as high up But I think Paul Anderson has been

very critical of Huddersfield. They are on a decent winning run

and they have put themselves right I know he was gutted

when he lost to your side. He is a class player

and is a real signing for Widnes and has been a big part of what

they have done well this season. He has been very impressive this

year and he is competing In the centres we have got quite

a few good centres coming through, Calum at our place,

and it is good for England there are some young centres putting pressure

on the older guys. Four consecutive victories

for Huddersfield, keeping pace rather than setting

pace this season as opposed to what they did last year when they ran

away with it at the top. They are finding their pace at the

right time which is all you can do. How do you rate them alongside

the other heavy contenders? Last year they proved it,

this year they have started slow, but Huddersfield

in the past have started strong and fallen away, but this year they

are going to look at what they are Definitely keep your eye

on Huddersfield. These last few years we have really

struggled against Huddersfield They are definitely contenders this

year and probably started the season not as well on the back of

a great year last year, but they are showing good form now and it is all

about building for the big games. Let's focus on more detail

on the big one at Wembley, the Challenge Cup final, live coverage

on BBC television on Saturday. Castleford against Leeds

and this is how they got there. The Tigers' cup journey began with

a short trip to Batley where the Bulldogs of the championship

were plotting a surprise. It was comfortable for Cass

and there were prophetic post`match We have got

a pretty good group here this year and we have to feel confident we can

challenge anyone and get The fourth round draw paired leads

with Super League opposition. Wakefield were simply blown away

by the Rhinos, One of rugby league's great

rivalries was renewed in Round 5, Leeds draw against Saint Helens

and it was the Rhinos who progressed Leads are through to

the quarterfinals of the Castleford will draw at home

for the only time in the competition and faced 1998

winners Sheffield, but there was no Four tries for Justin Carney,

the Tigers safely through. The holders Wigan were next up

for Cass and in driving rain They have beaten Wigan

on their home turf. Leeds survived

a scare to overcome championship Leeds' semifinal opponents were

at Warrington. The Wolves beat the Rhinos

at Wembley two seasons ago. And Tom Briscoe is going

back to Wembley surely. It was a sell`out crowd at

Leigh Sports Village to witness the second semifinal, a steam`rolling

performance from Cass to set up Just watching that back, Michael,

you have come all the way Watching the Leeds Saints game

on the telly and enjoying that. We were talking in the changing

rooms about a journey we could go on and what the Challenge Cup means for

the club and what we could create. Looking back on that how we have

progressed through the competition it has been a great journey,

but there is one chapter left. Losing the last six finals

they have been in. Do you talk about Wembley right

from the start? We talk about it start

of pre`season in November. Every team has set goals and targets

and things they want to achieve The Challenge Cup is such a history

and everything that comes with it. It has not been the kindest

of tournaments for us, but it is It seems like it has been a hell of

a journey so far this year, starting Even the Saint Helen's game

seems such a long time ago. We have worked hard to get there

and you want to finish it off with It is rugby league's big day

in the limelight. How much spice is added to it

because it is a Derby, We have had some cracking

games this year. It is building up nicely to

a good game. Each team will be worried about

their own job and each player will make sure they do their job and make

sure the teams perform as a whole. Leeds looking for their first

since 1986. You do not want to come back

to Wembley having lost to I am on the border

so where I live there is plenty of banter flying around, especially

in the sandwich shop I go to. A Castleford fan works in there

and gives me stick. I am not going in there this week

in case she decides to poison If we win,

I will see her on Monday morning. If not,

I will stay away for a few weeks. You have not experienced

this before. What are you expecting

it to be like? I have been to watch a few

of the Challenge Cup finals It is about time I was on the right

side of it and I am playing there. I think we will build up to it

nicely and prepare the best we can. The boys are just excited to be part

of it and I cannot wait to lead Castleford's last match

before the final was at Warrington. Both teams were looking to finish

in the top four. There were two Super League

points at stake as well. If Warrington win tonight we will

see them leapfrog Castleford Nine players are likely to feature

at Wembley in the Challenge Cup Looking to give a good account

of themselves here tonight. Atkins will score the first try

Shirley. Bridget is at centre tonight, but

playing in stand`off it would seem. That is a lovely dummy from Michael

Monaghan who has support. Warrington seemed stiff resistance from

Castleford, but Warrington get their second breakthrough of the night.

The footwork by bridge and a third try. We have to look at the video

replay because of the potential obstruction, but that seems fine.

The try is confirmed. I wonder how many of these

Castleford players are looking to play themselves into the cup final

squad next week. And what a finish that might prove to be. He is one of

those especially who would consider himself unlucky not to be involved

next week, James Clare. That is why, it is a terrific score from the

Castleford winger. He has got support from Oliver

homes. Stopped in the first instance by the challenge of Evans. That is

rather scruffy. A penalty for Castleford. That was the advantage

being played. Not square at the marker. Here they come again. Here

is Oliver homes. He might just have got there. Yes, he has. Two

consecutive Castleford tries either side of the break. They have got the

space and the numbers. Rhys Evans on the outside to score. Just to

re`establish that Warrington authority again.

Warrington poised and eager once again. There is England. A bit, fly

in character in the middle of that line. He picked his spot and took

his chance. The Castleford defence was too smart on that occasion. But

finally Ratchford gets the score. And Joe Monaghan. It is a

significant try as well. Warrington are up to fourth, having leapfrogged

Castleford. That was a little scrappy, but Evans will finish. He

has his second of the night. The referee wants to have a look again.

It came off his knee, knocked off his arm, so that is OK. Warrington

are going to win by a distance and go for. One of the key things is not

picking up any injuries in the days before the cup. We want to send a

team that is full of confidence and they want to impress and there is a

stake in the final to play for. We went there with confidence, but

Warrington were too strong and they played too fast. Their clinical

finishing was the difference. Is it have having this quick turnaround

between semifinal and final? And are Super League game in the middle! A

little bit. But it is a game and we are in the mix in the top four. We

want to play well and get the results and it is important we get

ourselves in the top four. Warrington are above us on points

difference. We have lost that a little bit, but we have got to push

it with the Leeds game. It is going so fast and it is such a big week.

Brian McDermott has named his Leeds team already which is unusual. Does

Justin Carnie comeback? I would assume so, he is one of our elite

players. And James Clare with another try. James has stepped in

and filled his Blues remarkably well. He has come a long wait this

season, one of the most improved. He is full of confidence and he is not

want to step back and he has taken his chance as well this season. He

might get a shot, but I am not sure. And a very brief word on Warrington.

When you lose a big game the week after you want to go out there and

write a few wrongs. They were always going to play well this week and

they are a force out there. Huddersfield, Saint and Wigan. Two

board games to catch up on. And it was Bradford against Citadel. It was

how much you made a better start. They certainly did. They have

improved of late. They want to build up for next season. They got the

start they were looking for but things changed suddenly. This is a

try by Foster as Bradford mounted their response. Relegation has been

good for them in terms of results. They have played with a bit of

freedom because they have got nothing to lose. Jimmy laws has

revitalised the team a little bit. You have to feel sorry for Cummings

with everything he had to deal with this season. But they are playing

well. Bradford have got some very good players and they should not be

where they were, really. Now they have found a bit of form. This was a

messy effort. Prior to that a player you know quite well goes over for

the second try against his parent club. I am pleased for Joe. He has

had a tough time over the past couple of years with injuries. He

has had a superb game here and is playing some great stuff. They have

come back to their parent club a little bit. We have been on the end

of that a few times. Kicking the winning goal from the touchline. It

has been a difficult season for whole matter. Massive expectations

at Hull Mac. But with the signings they are making for next year they

are looking very strong. And Danny is getting committed for next

season? The championship is looking really strong next year and it is

going to be interesting to see how it pans out. That was the best try

of the lot as Bradford held on to see off Hull Mac. What about Salford

against the Catalan Dragons? The Dragons appear to be fading a little

bit, Danny. They are a totally different team when they play away

from home. The amount of travel the French team have to deal with is

different to what we have to do. I think they just really struggle

whenever they come, whether it be Yorkshire Lancashire. They have got

London and Bradford away from home. But the form at their place is

second to none. An interesting team. They are littered with quality

players, but they are struggling a bit. When Kevin Locke gets fully

fit, he will be even more dangerous. He is a great player. When you see

the highlights of this game he looks like he is playing really well. You

have got Rangi Chase and Kevin Locke in the same team. A fortnight ago

Salford were hammered by Wigan and you were impressed by the Salford

team you came up against. We played them a week before and they played

really well and we were unfortunate to be on the end of a loss. A little

bit of what they have lacked this year is consistency. That is

something they have to address. Getting a new team together it will

always take a bit of time to gel and they will be much better next year.

Two tries from Catalan to finish this. Either Dragons looking over

their shoulder a little bit? They have got a couple of home games left

and their starting team on paper is great. But they are not travelling

to well. That they can come with that cup mentality. They have got

real quality players and people like Leon Pryce and they will want to

finish on a high. That is the latest round of Super League matches.

Before we head to Wembley, let's have a look at the latest standings.

The kick`off is at 3pm on Saturday. That is your lot for this week. If

you are going to Wembley, enjoy it. See you next time.

You asked for it. You got it. SHRILL WHISTLE

I promise not to take off all my clothes.

I'm going up in the world, babes, and from today,

one can't sack someone for going, "Bleuh-huh-huh-huh".

I'm going to teach you a lesson, Churchy.