19/03/2018 Super League Show

Welcome to the Super League show. We

were going to be at Castleford, but

the Beast from the East scuppered us

and their game against Wigan was

postponed. We have sought refuge at

Headingley in the company of Stevie

Ward and Brian Noble. We start with

Super League Leaders Shield Helen is

taking on the champions, Leeds.

COMMENTATOR: Parcell, you can see

how close Leeds Rhinos are getting.

Jones-Buchanan towards the middle.

Richie Myler keeping it alive. Joel

Moon trying to inject himself

between a couple of defenders but he

had to take the tackle. Hammered in

again... They still have a couple of

tackles in the bag here. Mullaly...

With a wrestle! Anthony Muller Ali

is over for the game's first try. --

Mullally. Leeds are striking early.

James Roby... It is taken in with

determination by Wilkin. James Roby

again, coming left. Richards to

Lomax... Barba! More than just

involved. He scores the tri-! He

kept them guessing, and slides over.

Richardson playing it quickly. Back

towards the middle, it is brought

here by Douglas. He has lost the

ball... And it has gone backwards.

The referee has given a penalty, for

St Helens, here. It looked like a

loose curry. The referee has decided

that it was stolen. -- it looked to

be a loose carry. Richardson with a

chance to get a 2-point lead for his

side. St Helens with the lead for

the first time tonight, 26 minutes

played. Barba...

James Roby, his sixth tackle. -- the

sixth tackle. Richardson. Swift

knocking it backwards, Richardson

picking it up, putting speculation

back on the inside. That is

brilliant from St Helens! Swift will

finish. A pass on the ground by

Tommy Makinson. It was all pretty

special. A look again, he thinks it

is a try. That has gone backwards.

They are having a look here to see

if Richardson stays in the field of

play. And he does, before he gets

the pass away. Handling here on the

ground was extra special, and Swift

with a finish. A try to remember for

St Helens. Swift, scoring.

Parcell... Atkinson is still injured

in back play. That will be a concern

for St Helens. Leeds Rhinos carrying

on regardless. Taken on by Briscoe,

on the inside... Richie Myler will

finish! With sunflower, it will

seem. A really good try for them.

Carl Ablett, ready to run this

clear, if you can. Taking it out. St

Helens are desperate to keep the

Leeds Rhinos down here. Hull call

surrender... Walters is not playing

it properly, Carl Ablett...

St Helens with a chance to add two,

and it goes over for Richardson.

They have the lead again. Matt

Parcell, spinning it back... Inside

for Carl Ablett to have a real go.

Great pressure from Leeds at the

moment. They get a penalty! James

Roby, not getting off the tackle

quickly enough. They go for two.

They are going to level things up.

You can see James Roby hanging on

the back and the referee has decided

for too long. Kallum Watkins settles

himself, to try and level the

scores. He does! 14-14, and very

nearly one hour played. Parcell,

trying to find their way through

here again. Carl Ablett playing it

to Richie Myler. A chip over the

top... And he will try and get hold

of this... It is bouncing! Ash

Handley! With a try. It suddenly

gives leads the lead again. They

held on throughout the game and now

they are leading it -- it suddenly

gives the Leeds Rhinos the lead

again. Carl Ablett has to stand and

wait... The referee is fine with

that. Sixth tackle, it is a poor

one. The St Helens defence... It is

deflected and dropped! It is Ash

Handley again! A calamity of errors

but it works out for Leeds Rhinos!

That score may have just settled

this. They rarely give up, but you

feel it is a fight against the odds

here for St Helens. Percival, put

down. The last unbeaten record of

the Super League going, it would

seem tonight. Here comes Regan

Grace... He has support on the

inside as well! From Barba...

Breaking away from Carl Ablett...

Ben Barba! A sensational St Helens

try, and a sensational comeback is

on the cards here. Remarkable stuff.

Parcell... Leeds are happy to roll

the clock down here now, surely?

They have time on their side. They

know the potency of the St Helens

team. Here goes Parcell, a dummy

half... Got it down! Matt Parcell

has got it down. The referee

confirms that try. And that, surely,

is a gutsy win for leads at the end

of this unbeaten record for St

Helens? STUDIO: A heck of an effort

from the Leeds Rhinos, wasn't it? It

was an outstanding win. One of the

indicators in the first half was

saying that the Saints would grab

that win. I was thinking, they need

to do something special here.

But it

that win. I was thinking, they need

to do something special here.

But it

was outstanding to get this two

points, and especially that could be

a big result this season.

And what

does it do for their confidence and

belief, and spirit in the camp to

get a win like that?

There were a

few young boys playing, Smith did

well, Ash Handley, it was a big

boost throughout the course of the

year. When we are down in numbers

and not playing that well. To win,

and to beat a St Helens team all out

for that win. It is quite magical,

really.

Leeds keep knocking those

wins. That's the key to their

success. If they don't have

structure here, then don't do

that... But they are winning the

games. The coach gets them ready for

important parts of the season. I

think he Saints have began the

season well. There's an emphasis on

the game Friday night, with how good

they were. People forget how tough

Leeds are and how they keep

themselves in the game and produce

place to get over the line. Anyone

watching the first half of the game

would have thought, here they come

in the second half but Leeds had a

different idea. That's often the

case. A big kick for them, they will

be in the race when it matters.

For

these guys, you have a new half-back

pairing with Richie Myler involved.

Is that changing? Or has he slotted

into your systems?

He has that

dynamic game which suits how we play

but he has also brought in a lot of

structure. We have a formula when it

is put on us. And when teams can

deal with off-the-cuff kinds of

stuff. You have Joel Moon, half the

time, we don't know what he is going

to do! But he is such a powerful

player. A lot of the time, with him,

his defence. It goes unsung. He is

brilliant at it. Richie is keen to

get stuck in. It is a good pairing.

We had the World Cup challenge and a

premature test in that partnership

that as we go along these games and

keep picking up these fixtures, we

will get better and better.

Are we

seeing a slightly more mature Richie

Myler, he seems to relish the lead

right now?

How old is he? He is a

good footballer and has been in good

systems and I think he enjoys

Leeds...

Can he work back into the

England setup?

My question is, why

not? If he plays well enough, for

shock.

On Saturday Wakefield did

their best to get their game against

Widnes on, but the beast from the

East meant it did not last long...

It

East meant it did not last long...

It was all smiles as snow fell

lightly over the West Yorkshire

ground, but by the time the teams

came out, conditions had become a

little more brisk, as Wakefield

began to look more like a winter

wonderland scene then a rugby field.

With such challenging conditions,

there wasn't much hope of

free-flowing play. The first and

only real action of the game came in

the eighth minute. Danny Koeman

tried to break through the Widnes

defence and was held up for a little

too long. The ball seemingly

stripped from his grasp and a

penalty awarded to the home side.

Sometimes, Liam Finn, in the

swirling blizzard, managed to get

the opening two points of the game.

Sometimes giving the camera operator

a chance to clear the lens. With 26

minutes gone, the referee deemed

that conditions were unplayable, and

due to play safety, he called off

the game. The fixture will be

rescheduled and fans will be hoping

that Beast paw do not trouble in

threes...

-- beasts.

You played in dreadful conditions in

winter rugby? What is wrong with

people?

You would go up the middle

track...

And they didn't even give

you an orange ball?

No! You had to

identify your own players, the mud

would kick in in winter rugby. You

would have two check out their eyes

or by how many teeth were missing!

It was a different game for sure!

But seriously, we do have some catch

up to play. Castleford with two

games to fit into the season. How

tricky will that be?

You wonder

about those games, where they will

fit in. With the squad sizes as they

are, it is a tough ask, it is a

tough challenge. They need to fit in

somewhere. People required to play,

maybe they are not that experienced

in playing at a Super League level.

But I think from the experiences

that Castle have picked up in the

last year, they should be OK.

Is it

a possibility to play one of the

games on the international weekend?

It is a conundrum, you have two time

it as best as you can. They will be

looking at their calendar now. There

are good players and a squad that

they have, the dynamics of injuries

coming in, you need to plan

meticulously. You could lose a home

game that you may not have done in

the normal run of things. So get

your calendar out and make sure that

you can fit it in at a time when it

damages you the least.

Normally we

had to the south of France for some

good weather but Catalan against

Warrington was played in driving

rain... COMMENTATOR: So, Warrington

are poised in position. Chris

Hill... Roberts to Hughes... Chris

Hill with his 200th appearance.

Warrington pressing once again. Into

the hands of Tyrone Roberts...

Sliding in a kick. For Catalan, they

look to draw the ball away. The

referee says he has a foot in touch.

It will be a drop out. Roberts with

a teaser. Tony Gigot had to mop up

otherwise the try would have been

scored. Lucas Albert trying to give

it some air... It was scrappy for

Roberts. George King mopping up here

for Warrington. They fancy their

chances. Having made a good start to

the game. All Warrington so far.

Hill involved again, as he rumbles

through the line. They struggled to

put it down in these clotting

conditions in Perpignan. It is a

slick move, way to the right hand

side... Mitch Brown! Diving in at

the corner. Catalan cut open.

Warrington in full flight. A

wonderful score for Mitch Brown.

Clark again, offering one up to

Chris Hill. Looking to raid the

Dragons line. Daryl Clark... Looking

to push through! That was a terrific

finish from Daryl Clark, and the try

is confirmed by Chris Kendall. Soft

Catalan defence. Daryl Clark, sharp

as a tack, in attack! Sign of a

response from Catalan, as Warrington

press again. Mike Cooper... Five

metres way, if that. Brown with a

lovely pass. They have trouble on

that side. Just about half

recovering there... Catalan. Urging

that drop-off to Jack Hughes.

Eventually taking the bait. Again,

Warrington with the tackle here.

Clark to Brown, it goes straight to

Ben Westwood! Where was the Catalan

defence? It was a simple try.

Murdoch-Masila was all on his own.

The grounding was looking good and a

try is awarded. Suddenly, Warrington

pulling clear with plenty to do for

Steve McNamara and the Catalan

coaching staff... The Dragons,

finally getting a sniff of things in

an attacking position here. Dumped a

to the right-hand side. A kick goes

through, it a dangerous one. Fouad

Yaha nowhere near it. Albert looks

to be in a bad way. Mitch Brown is

picked up and gone with the ball.

Warrington... Finding their rhythm,

it should be said. In these rather

tricky conditions. They have

deteriorated throughout this first

half. A chip ahead from timeline. It

is getting scrappy and testy now.

There is a tussle in midfield

between two of these opposing

players. Plenty of peacemakers

about, to be fair. Daryl Clark is

inching to have a pop... Let's see

what happened. As Tom line and sent

the kick away... -- Tom Lineham. As

play continues, there seems to be a

number of scraps going on. Kevin

Brown was involved in one of them.

Chris Kendall will lift up the

yellow card. Heading to the sin-bin,

Fouad Yaha. Catalan down to 12 men.

For the remainder of this first

half. Tom line and joins -- Tom

Lineham joins him. Hughes has been

on the ball, quite literally, for

much of this game for Warrington. He

has been a real threat. Hill,

wanting to get that try... Unable to

force his way through on this

occasion. Ben Murdoch-Masila! You

will not stop him from there. A

superstar in the second half. As the

rain comes down, there is plenty to

cheer for those fans who have made

the trip. Catalan, running aground

as they try to soften up the

Warrington line. Iain Thornley...

That was well accounted for in the

end by Chris Hill. They will target

the middle. The Dragons. Still

working their way through. Julien

Bosquet tries to have a Bustinza, he

makes it to the line! Have Catalan

scored? Chris Kendall goes to the

screen, a no try call.

Controversial... There was a dummy

run there. Has it taken the defence

away from Greg Bird? The video

referee says that it has. Chris

Kendall chalks off the score. Filthy

conditions in Perpignan. Picked out

of the air by Rashford. Catalan's

hopes of getting a score in this

game there, they have the duck egg

next to their names so far...

Meanwhile, in back play, it is all

going off! Michael Mcllorum and

George King at the heart of this

one. Michael Mcllorum looks in a

wryly suck -- rather sorry state.

Chris Kendall will make his evening

worse, it could be game over for

him... And he trudges off to the

sin-bin. No more Michael Mcllorum in

this game and George King joins him.

Roberts has enjoyed himself on this

soggy turf in Perpignan. Tom Lineham

putting it back infield. Jack Hughes

again, to prise a hole in this

Catalan rearguard. It is muddy and

it is slippery. It is a time where

Catalan will be wanting to take down

pretty sharpish. Brown's pass picked

up by Roberts. He coasts through!

Warrington make it a four score game

in the south of France. It terrific

performance from the Warrington

Wolves. The Catalan Dragons beaten

at home by a Warrington side, just

starting to find their rhythm. Bleak

times for the Catalan Dragons, that

is just one win from six.

times for the Catalan Dragons, that

is just one win from six. STUDIO:

Brian Steve Price saying afterwards

that it was a big improvement from

Warrington.

Yes, I think that they

are incisive and decisive, the

kicking game was superb. Conditions

were not the best but they played

better than Catalan by a fairway.

They look strong and you can see

some of the principles that Steve is

trying to get into their team,

coming to fruition. They have

struggled in some of their

functionality but clearly they have

a style that they want them to play.

It looks like they got that on

Saturday.

Kevin Brown had a

fantastic game guiding the team

around the field, how important is

he in conditions like that?

You can

rely on Kevin for that. Forgetting

that team around. What not many

people know about Kev committee is

really decisive. He can direct and

navigate the team around the field.

Going over to Catalan, you need that

presents. You need that ability to

get the ball out, pin them down and

put pressure on them.

For Catalan,

that was really poor, wasn't it?

Yes, they have lost their aura.

Everybody would prepare for a tough

trip. But they have lost that

element of them being invincible at

home and that started to happen last

year. They are not getting them out

of the ball. Five out of six on

losses but I do know that new

principles, they will be working

hard on their fundamentals. With one

win and their confidence grows...

They got that last week but you

regress that much, was but a

surprise?

Maybe they have taken a

fourth, it is natural, you go in and

think you have two win, and maybe

you did apply as hard as you should

have done but against any team in

this Super League, you can get

beaten. Maybe that breath after the

storm, there's another storm coming

next week, you always need to be

ready. With one, two, three, your

confidence builds and you get a

winning streak but it is the same,

but in a losing streak, that is hard

to break.

A couple of years ago,

Leeds found themselves in this

position. How easy is it to break?

It isn't easy, we were in freefall.

It was so tough, we were not getting

that win, to take a breath and

reassess. It is really tough. Teams

come after you. This could be

similar for Catalan. It was such a

tough place to go and get a win

there. But now teams are going on

the back of this Easter period

thinking it is two points they can

get while they are in this slump.

Easter isn't really what they want

right now?

If you ask the players

and the coaches, nobody wants it but

it is unavoidable, you need to

prepare. It is a defining moment in

the season, the first defining

moment. The first part of the year,

the first five or six games, teams

are trying to get better and

produce. At Easter, you find

yourself in a serious position after

that time.

There were two

eye-catching transfers in the week,

O'Brien moving from Salford to

Toronto and Liam Watts moving from

Hull to Castleford. The teams faced

each other on Friday night...

Hull to Castleford. The teams faced

each other on Friday night...

COMMENTATOR: Another week of

upheaval with the exit of O'Brien

and speculation about the financial

situation at Salford but it is a big

night for them. We have a penalty

here, and it's a chance to put

points on the board, surely? Robert

Lui does just that. First to

Salford! Clare a real opportunity,

they haven't had many, to be fair.

That was so easy. Dean Hadley

touched down! A good spell for the

black and whites. Play goes on...

You may have been out. The American

Faraimo there. The referee is going

back, it was a penalty. A late hit.

Marc Sneyd could kick those with his

right foot and they would go over

every time. Good stuff here from

Salford. McCarthy with a great

flowed! 'S first try, the Fijian, in

Salford colours. A real influence on

the first half, Tyrone McCarthy. I

think he has earned a penalty...

Danny Washbrook isn't happy. At the

stroke of half-time, Robert Lui...

And Salford hit the front! Just over

one hour has gone. It is a real arm

wrestle. A breakthrough for Johnson!

Does he have support? It's a real

opportunity for Salford. Littlejohn,

the Australian scrum-half, with his

first try for the club too! Robert

Lui has been terrific all night, and

he is terrific again! That could be

the try that wraps it up. Time is

running out. It is a big win for

Salford, this. Logan Tomkins, moving

it quickly over... And Johnson will

score! 9.9 for artistic impression

but it is four defeats from six

matches for the black and whites.

We

made a couple of errors at the start

of the game. That is worrying, after

last week at Castleford. The boys

knew the job last night -- tonight

and they knew what was expected.

They delivered. They deserve all

they got out.

I asked for every kick

to be a competition. They have

conceded more tries than anyone

else. I ask for every kick to be a

competition. If you do those

percentages committee would probably

gather that was not the case. It is

a disappointment.

All of the guys

here know, they are valued here and

we want to keep them, they want to

be here. We did not want to lose

O'Brien but he made a decision on

the back of a very good offer to

him. And his family. In any walk of

life, if you get a massive pay rise

and you are offered the chance to do

that, then most people will accept

it, especially with the kind of

money that he was looking at. I

can't blame him for that.

That was a

heck of a win for Salford after a

difficult

heck of a win for Salford after a

difficult week for them?

Yes, they do have a really good team

ethic there. To put a performance in

like that, from a bit of chaos

created earlier in the week. With

Gareth O'Brien making that move. It

shows a lot of heart and courage. I

feel like they have put out a big

performance. They have shown skill

and top-class drive.

And Robert Lui

really leading from the front?

Yes

committee is an elusive player. One

of those players you look at, he

catches your eye and you have to

notice. And make preparations for

defending against him.

You said that

Watson is a good coach, and one that

the players are right behind?

He can

galvanise the team after disruption,

losing a good player like Gareth

O'Brien. They have really fixed on

their game. They have a great team

ethic. He has done a great job. Hull

are not bad themselves.

For them, is

it a blip or will they be more

worried about it?

I can think of the

few reasons as to why they would not

be as fluid as they are at the

moment. They have good players.

Every team wants their best players

to have a good show. The game last

week took a lot out of Hull against

Leeds Rhinos. They were not ready

go. And I think the coach himself

has said that they were second best.

It's a fair indication of what

Salford did on the night.

Were you

conscious of facing a team without

Halton and Kelly in it?

Yes, you

register to play against him. He is

a leader, one of those players that

really enforces what Hull are about,

and you have Albert Kelly, who can

score those tries. They make a

really big difference. That was

probably something going into the

game last week against Hull, that

week cannot have accounted for. Of

course you talk about Jake Connor,

playing out of position and things

like that, it culminated in a

performance that work for us. And

going into that game against

Salford, it may have played into

that, for Hull's performance. And

they may have been tired and

struggling.

To two teams looking to

get upwardly mobile,

struggling.

To two teams looking to

get upwardly mobile, on Thursday

night it was Huddersfield against

Hull KR.

COMMENTATOR: They are applying all

of the pressure, can they make

something of it? The effort was

made... Held up within sight of the

line. Roberts is over! They finally

get their numbers. And they get the

gaps as well. Huddersfield,

deservedly, with the opening points

of the night. It was coming. They

are switching back towards the

right-hand side. Quick hands from

Quinlan. How classy was that from

the Australian? Wonderful stuff,

Hull Kingston Rovers with their

response, and they love it, the

travelling supporters. Taken down

the middle, again. Heffernan,

stepping away on his left foot.

Classy stuff again! The centre is

having quite a night already.

Quinlan was the beneficiary this

time. Great stuff from Hull KR.

Tommy Lee... Mose Masoe, driving in

and driving in. The referee gives a

penalty. Just unable to get clear

there. You can see his involvement,

he climbs on the back of Mose Masoe.

The referee says it is a penalty. An

important kick for Ryan Shaw. Hull

Kingston Rovers with a two score

lead. That is exactly what he has

done. 14-6, 30 minutes played.

Atkin. Apart from the opening seven

minutes or so, Hull have been the

dominant side. They have shown real

verve and tenacity in equal measure.

Tommy Lee, now they go wide again!

That was lovely, that little kick.

For Ryan Shaw, that kick was

exquisite. The finish putting in

two. The referee, on the advice of

his touch judge, is going for a

video replay.

We are going to try.

Obstruction in backplate...

Let's

have a look at the obstruction here.

Kingston Rovers looking to take it

wide, no obstruction there, you

would save. Some commitment from the

outside backs. A misread from the

Outside-backs rather than any kind

of obstruction, that would have left

a huge gap. This should be a tribe.

Hull Kingston Rovers with their

third try of the first half. And a

commanding lead to boot. He has

every right to be satisfied. Leaning

and going wide... Trying to cut in.

Held up just short. That is still

definitely need to score next. Broth

coming up left... A little kick and

taking the deflection. Rob Mulhern!

Look at him go! Charging away. He

tries to push him away, the prop

forward is still going. Out of the

grasp, Germain McGillvary, turning

it inside, what a finish! From the

prop forward, Rob Mulhern. Well,

they are going for a replay... Just

making sure it was who we thought it

was. Rob Mulhern going all that way.

They are looking offside at the

kick... It seems to be OK. Off he

went, determination and! Was he

going to go the distance? Denny

breath, brushed away. Germain

McGillvary, could not complete the

tackle. He may have competed himself

but he makes sure of the try. --

Danny Brough. Hull KR looking for

their second win of the season in

the driving seat. Lee, pushed back

down the middle here. Tommy Lee,

just waiting and measuring the

situation. Inside and out, it goes

right again... Andrew Hefernan

striding through again. Timing the

past... An easy finish for Ryan Shaw

again. They looked very classy as

they have gone wide, Hull Kingston

Rovers, what a performance from them

tonight. Easy, easy, charmed the

crowd. Mose Masoe taking it in, with

sheer determination. A well earned

break on the sidelines! Hull KR,

going wide again here. They want

another, Ryan Shaw putting his foot

down. Inside the past... Claiming

forward, but Danny McGuire will not

stand and wait for any decision from

the referee. He glides over. It is a

crowning try for a regal performance

for Hull Kingston Rovers tonight.

Second win of the season in the bag

and boy, haven't they done it well?

STUDIO: You know Rob Mulhern from

his time here at Leeds Rhinos, could

you believe that break?

No! That's a

world of pain! To have had that in

the tank, fitness wise, that is

remarkable. I know him quite well

from being at lead say few years

ago. Played in the championship for

a year. -- from being at Leeds. He's

come back and made a mark. Almost

making the decision to look at his

diet and look at his lifestyle. You

can see how it is paying off on the

field.

He has clearly been doing a

few sprints.

Very impressive! A heck

of a win for Hull KR.

Tim Keene said

100% completion in the first off, he

doesn't think he has ever had a side

that has done that.

It is rare,

those kinds of numbers gives your

team the opportunity to win. It

strangles any opportunities of

winning. We cannot take away from

the fact that he has an outstanding

coach. 500 or 600 top level games

that he has coached. Of your game,

with set plays, they are really well

organised. Maguire has that speed

and finishing touch, but you can

clearly see that they are already

working hard for each other.

You

played against Chris Atkin at Elland

Road. They have been looking for a

half but Tim Sheens Lane, maybe we

have the half-back pairing that we

need

we were talking, before the

game, and Atkin really shone,

causing issues. He was brilliant.

Maybe psychologically, that kind of

motivates you as a player. There is

talk about bringing another half, or

looking at a different way to

present the team. Atkin obviously

took it upon himself and has put up

his hand, saying that he will look

to be that half, and play for his

team. You know, he's not a bad

teacher to happen that aspect.

Are

you scratching your head with

Huddersfield's form this season?

They have been stop start. Good bits

and bad bits, but to me, they looked

a little flat. We don't know why.

But you have to give full credit to

Hull KR. They looked after the ball,

they looked incisive and really

sharp on the fringes. Set plays came

off.

Do you think they were taken

for granted a bit by Huddersfield?

If you have that kind of mentality,

and by no means am I suggesting that

they have, but if you go anywhere

near, you will be beaten. There are

many teams that will get you. You

have to do all the little things

that you are prepared to do, maybe

they didn't?

After a truncated Round

6, this is how things look in the

BetFred Super League table... St

Helens remaining top, Hull FC

dropping down after their defeat at

Salford. Super League teams entering

the draw for the fifth round of the

Challenge Cup, that's on the BBC

sport website on Tuesday. Live

commentary of witness against

Salford on BBC five live. You can

also hear Leeds against Castleford

from Elland Road on Friday. That's

all for now, it is warmer in here

than it would have been at

Castleford. Stevie, thank you for

jumping in at the last minute for

joining us. See you next week, in

the studio! Goodbye.