XIII Oceans

The first full weekend of matches in Super League XIII have been completed and a very interesting round it was. The champions marched on, two former champion teams were upset on the road and the Wolves flew past a lacklustre and depleted Hull FC, so what can we learn about this year’s competition from the first complete round?

Warrington v Hull
An entertaining game to start the weekend with some touches of class on display from the Wolves who could really have rattled up a big score with better discipline and ball retention. Michael Monaghan showed Warrington fans just exactly what the difference is between a decent half back and Lee Briers, hopefully murdering those endless and useless calls for the latter to get a GB cap. There was a world of difference from the Wolves when in the red zone and I was impressed with some of the movement and handling on display with basic moves executed well. Hull looked decidedly flat with little to offer in the way of any creative midfield presence and their fans must be hoping that Dykes can give them something akin to what Monaghan did otherwise it’s going to be a very dull one-out season for them without playoff action. Defensively, Wire weren’t tested much thanks to Hull’s one dimensional attack, however they were solid and I don’t remember too many line breaks from the visitors. Overall, a good solid win for Wire, convincing with the ball in their hands on the opponents’ line and their pack turned in a solid performance without banishing any of the concerns I suggested in the season preview.

London and Cas to prop us all up?
Too early to make any sort of supposition on either team, however both teams would have fancied their chances prior to and during the game of taking all the points. London in particular frittered away a great lead against Wigoon and whilst losing your opener isn’t a major concern at this stage in the season, conceding 47 points at home is. A trip to Hull beckons this weekend and on the basis of what I saw on Friday against Warrington, London should still have some confidence. Similarly, it’s early doors for Cas and a loss against Catalans is not a disaster although it would have been one of those fixtures that Clive Anderson would have singled out prior to the start of the season as one his team could win. Looking like a long season for both sides.

Competition favourites
Leeds staked their claim for going all the way this year, following up their escape last week with a comprehensive beating of playoff contenders the Giants. Had this game been at Leeds then you would expect Leeds to win comfortably so the margin of victory yesterday may have put Giants fans on edge or it may be that Leeds have already played a tough game and are more up to speed. I’d prefer to think that they’re more up to speed and with the second half score being 8-6 to Leeds there may be some mileage in that. For a week, at least, the Giants have got time to prove that this was just a slow out of the blocks situation and not an indicator of their own poor form or Leeds’ good form. It’s a trip to a defeated Bulls next week. Lovely.

Triple barrelled whammy
It certainly won’t have gone unnoticed in Wigoon or Leeds that the two silverware hoovers of the past decade fell to defeat against bottom half predicted teams in their first encounters. Both Saints and the Bulls left it too late to snatch the points against Hull KR and Wakefield in front of bumper crowds of 8,041 and 9,658 respectively. The crowd at New Belle Vue is impressive considering that it looks like 5,000 would mean having to put people on top of Hotel Hells Bells View. Not only that it’s a crowd that would challenge Saints’ attendance when the Wildcats come over the penines with their supporter. Great starts for both clubs and I think the Hull KR result is a better indicator of Rovers’ likely ability to be able to push for a playoff place, following two good results. Wakefield caught a rusty Bulls outfit and without wanting to take anything away from what is an excellent win there’s little in the way of context to give us an inkling on their playoff hopes yet. Great win and to me, a bigger surprise than Hull KR’s win.

Two players under pressure
Wow! Only one full round in and already a couple of players are getting negative feedback and need to improve. First up, one of the major inspirations behind the Bulls’ last championship winning side Iestyn Harris appeared sluggish and off the pace yesterday at Wakefield. It’s right at the start of the season, however on more than one occasion last year he was off the pace of games and I think it might be sooner rather than later for when we see Jeffries getting more game time. Also turning in a bit of dismal performance was none other than Richie “Superstar” Mathers who came under criticism for a poor all round game with his defensive tackling making The Ginger Doormat look like Paul Wellens in comparison. Noble was asked about Mathers’ poor performance in the post match press conference, replying, “His engine isn’t where we would like it.” My money’s on it being 10cc.

Saints talk
Disappointed but not totally unexpected loss at the hands of Rovers who are setting the early pace on the eastern seaboard. Last year we had a poor start to the season and lost to teams that fared a lot worse than I expect Rovers to this year so there’s little to be concerned about as our second half flourish suggested it won’t take long to get back into the form we’re capable of. The first third of the season is a jostle for the rest of the league to avoid the relegation scrap and hang onto us, Leeds and the Bulls near the top and I don’t expect that to be too different this season. Friday promises the first big match-up of the season as the Warrington Winners cross the M62, vertically, to try to show the world there’s something more notable than Saints and IKEA in its postcode.