Men

Round 1 Round Up

16 Feb 2025

Round 1 Round Up

The Betfred Super League was back with a bang this weekend and records tumbled on a historic opening night for the 30th Super League season at Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium on Thursday night…

The attendance of 21,748 for the Battle of the Borough between champions Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards was the highest for a Round 1 fixture since Super League kicked off in 1996.

The teams were introduced to the field by Michael Buffer, the renowned ring announcer from Pennsylvania – to set the tone for a campaign which will include the Round 3 fixture between Wigan and Warrington at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday March 1.

The local rivals then created Super League history in a ferocious, captivating but pointless 80 minutes – finishing 0-0 at the end of normal time.

It was a game of pulsating energy levels, grit and intensity, as the Leopards matched the current champions in every department.

High standards and high completion rates from both sides meant there was little opportunity to produce those all-important scores – although Jai Field almost reaped the glory as he raced away past numerous defenders to touch down, but his try was disallowed for an initial ball steal.

There was nothing to separate the sides, as the opening game entered a nerve-shredding Golden Point extra-time, before Gareth O’Brien came up with the spoils – kicking a drop goal to secure Leigh’s first away win against Wigan since 1983 (0-1).

On Friday, Golden Point came into play again as Hull KR snatched a dramatic 19-18 victory over Castleford Tigers, with a magic Mikey Lewis one-pointer.

It was a spirted performance from the Tigers, who went neck and neck with last year’s Grand Finalists at a rocking Sewell Group Craven Park.

A hat-trick from Joe Burgess, including two flying finishes in the corner, put the Robins in good stead, but tries from Josh Simm and Fletcher Rooney kept the visitors well in the contest, before Tigers centre Zac Cini came up with the levelling score.

It was Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Lewis who would be the hero of the night, however, as Willie Peters’ men eventually claimed the two Round 1 points on offer.

Hull FC ended their losing run on the road on Friday, with a comprehensive 4-24 win in the south of France.

John Cartwright enjoyed a perfect start to his tenure as the Black & Whites head coach against Catalans Dragons, as his side went 18-0 up at the halfway stage, courtesy of tries from Jordan Lane, Cade Cust and Tom Briscoe.

The Dragons did apply some pressure on the back of Arthur Mourgue’s early second-half try, but Cust was on hand to pounce on an error from the Dragons and make sure of a statement opening round victory for Hull FC.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Wakefield Trinity returned to Super League action with a hard fought 12-14 victory at AMT Headingley Stadium.

It was a West Yorkshire derby between Trinity and Leeds Rhinos, with a Max Jowitt double and Mason Lino effort putting the away side 14 points in front.

Harry Newman hit back for the hosts on the stroke of halftime, but a physical battle and clinical defending meant that despite a late Sam Lisone score, a strong Trinity held out for a memorable win.

Also on Saturday, St Helens ran in fifteen tries to beat a youthful Salford Red Devils 82-0 in their Super League opener at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Tristan Sailor scored four of his side's 15 tries on debut, while Morgan Knowles and Harry Robertson crossed twice each.

Lewis Murphy and Kyle Feldt also scored on their Saints bow, with Jonny Lomax, Curtis Sironen, Mark Percival, Joe Batchelor and George Delaney completing the rout.

Finally, Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves brought the curtain down on Round 1, with Sam Burgess' men triumphing 12-20 in a close contest.

The Giants looked a confident outfit, as Tui Lolohea marked his 250th career appearance with the opening try from an exquisite play he started and finished.

But the Wolves soon found their feet and tries on either side of each half from Arron Lindop and Matty Ashton allowed them to take the lead.

Influential Matt Dufty, who stole the show on Sunday, then set Toby King up with a slick pass - just moments after assisting Ashton's previous effort.

Huddersfield did hit back through Joe Greenwood, setting up a tense final ten minutes, but it would be Dufty who produced the match-winning moment for the Wolves - rounding off a remarkable Round 1 of the new Super League campaign!

Highlights | Wolves v Dragons

5 hrs

Highlights | Wolves v Dragons
Luke 'The Nuke' Littler walks out at his OWN stadium | 2025 Betfred Super League

6 hrs

Luke 'The Nuke' Littler walks out at his OWN stadium | 2025 Betfred Super League
Highlights | Hull FC v Warriors

6 hrs

Highlights | Hull FC v Warriors
Highlights | Trinity v Robins

20 Feb 2025

Highlights | Trinity v Robins
Round 2 Preview

20 Feb 2025

Round 2 Preview