Round Review: Super League Round 24 (Tuesday 5th September 2023)

 Round 24 was a round that had so much bearing on the league table, top to bottom. Castleford and Wakefield both faced difficult matches at the bottom end of the table, while Hull played Leeds in an important play off race Yorkshire Derby and Hull KR had the chance to pull away from the playoff pack. There were a few shock results, unpaid electric bills and big injuries in this round- it's your Super League Round Review.

Taming the Dragons

A captains contribution to remember again for Kenny-Dowall on Friday Night. He was one of four try scorers for Rovers, joined by Linnett, Walker and Mikey Lewis on the scoresheet. On a week where it was confirmed Jack Walker wouldn't be staying at the Robins next season, his contribution was also vital. 10 points with the boot from loanee Brad Schneider confirmed the victory for Hull KR. 

Tries from Navarette, Garcia and Yaha proved to be not enough for Catalans. They fall to their second defeat in as many rounds and fall second in the table. This will be perhaps worrying for the Dragons at such a crucial time in the season, but Hull KR was always going to be a difficult game, as proven by the Robins 26-18 victory. They climb up to a less than comfortable 6th position in the table.

Crucial Wigan win

It was another week where Bevan French rightfully hit the headlines. His leadership and versatility once again proved crucial and no match for the Red Devils. This topped off a routine victory for Wigan- tries from Farrell, Wardle, Miski, Field and King all helped Wigan to 26-8 win over their local neighbours. A try from Sio and two penalties from Brierley was all Salford had in response.

This result means Wigan finally claim top spot in the table and Salford fall to seventh. Although a routine victory, this game was a potential banana skin for the league leaders. Salford will be shaking their heads after the loss and coming away from the game with four bans which will make their playoff push that bit harder.

Party at the Halliwell

Former NRL starlet Matt Dufty shushed the critics with an amazing performance on Saturday afternoon. There were 8 different try scorers on Saturday in a result that really no one saw coming. Vaughan, Williams and Dufty all scored doubles in crucial contributions. After ending their run of 8 games without a win at Hull in Round 23, Warrington now sit in the driving seat for a playoff place.

Castleford will be hugely disappointed. With points difference set to be a very important part of the relegation race, a 66-12 loss will do them no good. Tries from Hall and Eden may soften the blow but this looked like a game that Castleford had a chance in and if they had won, would have virtually confirmed safety. They remain 11th but with Wakefield also chasing, they'll be desperate for a result at home to Hull on Friday.

Derby day delight

Tony Smith's old side put him and the Black and Whites to the sword on Saturday afternoon. Sam Lisone will take all the plaudits and deservedly so after scoring a brilliant hattrick in the blue and amber of Leeds. Fusitu'a made his mark after returning to the team and Hooley also scored for Leeds, topping off a great performance for them, even more so considering their previous run of form. This keeps their play off hopes faintly alive.

For Hull FC, this all but ended their play off hopes. Tries from Swift, Barron and Scott were not enough for Hull. Perhaps positively or worryingly, there were standouts in the Hull side, such as Jordan Lane who recorded his best game of the season statistically. However, this 28-12 loss to Leeds sees Hull remain in 10th place and Leeds remain in 8th but two points closer to the top 6.

Hull FC Fanzone: "Ultimately, after a disappointing first half which saw FC not able to counter on their attacks it was the Rhinos who controlled the game to take the two points back to Headingley."

Wakefield their own worst enemy

It seems to be the story far too often for them but Wakefield once again seemed to be their own worst enemy. Lee Kershaw scored twice and Matty Ashurst got Wakefield's first try of the game but they should have scored more. They were poor with the ball in hand, throwing away their own chances and gifting Saints more chances, which crucially was the reason for the 32-16 loss.

Saints capitalised on numerous occasions, none more so than Tommy Makinson who had a stellar performance. Jon Bennison also played a crucial role in attack, scoring one himself and assisting Lomax and Dodd. Roby also scored his first try of his final season. Nevertheless, the score doesn't tell the full story as Wakefield were strong defensively and pushed Saints all the way. The serious injury to Will Dagger could prove to be a defining moment but after Castleford's huge loss at Warrington and Wakefield's respectable defeat to Saints, things look promising for Trinity and they end the weekend with the gap in points difference nearly completely gone. However, they remain 12th and Saints go 3rd, confirming their play off place once again.

The longest game

To no surprise, the game itself wasn't what stole the headlines. The floodlight failure and farce of a response from the RFL is what was understandably talked about most. Ian Watson launched the complaints and majority of the Rugby League world also felt the RFL wrongfully dealt with this.

The game itself however was very close on the Friday. Leigh held a 4 point lead when the lights went out. However, Jake Connor of Huddersfield had scored a double and having a blinder of a performance and making it difficult for Leigh. Sunday's 30 minutes was much different however with Leigh settling in well and scoring 18 points. Lachlan Lam was the standout. Huddersfield failed to settle in and as it was weird circumstances no one can blame them for that but they did end up losing 34-16. This perhaps makes it even more evident that the RFL didn't correctly go about this in the correct way. It was virtually two different games.

This leaves Huddersfield, like Hull FC, adrift from the play off race in 9th and Leigh stay in 4th place and close to confirming their play off spot in what is an incredible first season back in Super League.

An interesting round of Super League then no doubt. Round 25 features some crucial games, including Hull FC v Castleford, St. Helens v Leigh and Salford v Warrington. The race for the League Leaders Shield, Playoffs and survival are all hotting up with now just 3 rounds to go.