XIII Oceans

So it’s overpriced accommodation and rail tickets time for some, TV dreamland for others and dreamy thoughts of sunkissed beaches and INXS for former Man Of Steel contenders as the big games surface for a magical weekend in one of the least accessible cities in Britain, Cardiff.

(+8 ) Huddersfield v Warrington
Here’s a thriller for you to start your Millennium Magic weekend, arguably the two teams that are in the poorest form to open up a festival of rugby league.  Hopefully most of the first-time attendees will still be in the bar so they’re not put off our great sport by what is likely to be a procession of incomplete sets, lazy tackles and Lee Briers.  Of course only part of that is true because it is an intriguing head-to-head between two increasingly desperate teams.  I expect this to be a highly committed match, one that both will view as well within their grasp and it’ll be interesting to see if it becomes two teams throwing everything at each other or two trying not to lose the game.  In a shoot out you have to fancy Warrington and with the way that Huddersfield are playing I can’t see them being able to convert chances that come their way should this descend into a calamity-clash.  This brings everything back to those questions of ball control and field position so when you look at that you see that, of the two, Warrington have demonstrated they can do that, it’s an issue of form with them.  Huddersfield haven’t done that and haven’t had any consistency this year and they need it and need it quickly.  Warrington by 8.

(+8 ) Castleford v Wakefield
Castleford would prefer this to be at home obviously, but playing on a neutral ground is significantly better for them than going to Wakefield.  Sadly for Cas, Wakefield are on a mini-roll and although they were very lucky to come away with the win on Saturday they did more than plug away at Harlequins RL lead, forcing the visitors into submitting to their swell.  You expect that Castleford will come out and give the game some tempo, like Harlequins RL did,  whereas Wakefield will seek to overpower their opponents over the course of the eighty with their composure and willingness to let Castleford’s attacking game trip itself up.  How will the game shape up?  It’s difficult for me to see this Wakefield side allow themselves to let the Tigers get a hold on the game however I can see the derby rivalry keeping the game close until the Wildcats halves get a hold of the game.  Wakefield by 6.

(+6) Bradford v Leeds
The Bulls continue to get results that keep them up amongst the top two hunt whilst Leeds survive the worst casualty list since Rambo to stay at the top.  Reviewing form for this game doesn’t usually work, we’ve found that one team is usually in the ascendancy with Leeds being the boss now.  Can the Bulls overcome the vogue?  They will be happy with the physical confrontation in the forwards fearing more the strike capabilities and ball in hand play of the Rhinos.  I would love to see the kind of running, hitting and drama that these two can produce against each other but you look at the Bulls results and the thrills are limited so it’s probably wishful thinking to hope for a game as great as last year’s.  Like the men of Bastogne, Leeds heroics separates them from the pack and they remain titans amongst men, albeit heavily injured titans, leading this competition from the front.  In the face of such battle hardened walking wounded we can only expect the Bulls to wilt, dropping down on their knees to worship in front of these grandiose icons.  Leeds by 12.

Catalans v Harlequins RL (+2)
My game of the weekend and one that I’m disappointed that those not going to Cardiff won’t be able to watch live.  Catalans unbeaten run continues whereas Harlequins RL managed to put a great eighty minutes in recently, unfortunately spread out across two matches.  I’m finding it difficult though to see this Dragons run trundling along according to form and that middle eighty for Harlequins RL sets up what I think will be a bit of an ambush, inspiring the Spivs to an unlikely if not unsurprising win.  Some of the rugby that has been on show in those two halves was as good as you will have seen all season so it must be disappointing for them to have not capitalised on that last week.  Catalans are a side that haven’t been watched often by many so they remain a mystery to most even if the highlight reels show imagination in attack.  In thinking about a lot of these fixtures my thoughts turn more towards the mindset of teams going into the game and whilst Potter will have Catalans focussed, McDermott will have a lot more to call upon as motivation in this match from recent performances and the Easter game.  Harlequins RL by 8.

Hull v Hull KR (+4)
Biff!  Bash!  Bosh!  All on the menu on Sunday afternoon as Lee Radford leads his men against Paul Cooke, only this time it’s personal.  No doubt Gail Tylesley’s chin-a-like, Cooke, will be aiming to dictate things from behind his pack to avoid any confrontations with the Hull skipper, who is suitably enthusiastic about this match-up.  I don’t think there’s been an on screen match up that’s promised more fireworks since “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” and we could be in for a humdinger.  Rovers appear to have the upper hand in meetings between the two and with just two points between them they’re teams fighting for the same position and anticipated season.  On Good Friday Rovers started off the better side, Hull came back strong before the home side sealed the win by a point.  During the second half I felt that Hull were significantly better than Rovers were in the first half and really should have been able to use their momentum to claim the victory, that they didn’t owes more to homefield advantage than any shortcomings on the day.  Of course it’s easy to say the neutral venue shifts the balance in Hull’s favour though it’s more than that.  These appear to be teams that are crawling in opposite directions with no clear impetus for either side but Hull appear to breathing with a bit more gusto which I think is just enough to bring them home.  Hull by 2.

Saints v Wigoon (+8 )
Sunday night’s football headliner has some potential in it.  Potential, is what it will probably stay.  Neither side gives me hope that this will be a 100% full frontal assault at the moment despite being level on points.  However this should be a considerably closer game than Good Friday’s mauling.  Had Gareth Hock been eligible to play in this game that closeness would likely have tipped things in Wigoon’s favour with Saints returning to two front line props but his absence is a big loss for the Warriors.  In spite of having a couple of poor seasons, characterised by poor discipline and ball control, Hock remains the most damaging forward runner that Brian Noble can call upon and there doesn’t appear to be anybody who can step into that role for him.  At the moment you have to discriminate against Wigoon because of their recent form against Saints but it’s certainly not a foregone conclusion and both sides have shown that they can step up and compete even if it’s not been for a sustained run.  If Saints find that last week’s game has emptied their tank or the minor injuries picked up last week resurface there’s every reason to believe that the Warriors can give their success starved fans some internet bragging rights.  Still if they are to do that it is going to require them to play to their best ability defensively, stop the unforced errors, Saints to underperform and for Derren Brown to remove that mental block that remains more than a vestige in their mind.  I’ve got a feeling that this game is going to be closer than people think but it’s unlikely to be a classic with probably too many neutrals supporting the Warriors.  Saints by 4.

Last week’s predictions;

Leeds by 8 (won by 14)
Saints by 4 (won by 8 )
Catalans by 6 (won by 8 )
Wakefield by 4 (won by 4)
Wigoon by 4 (lost by 14)
Hull by 6 (won by 8 )

So a good week last week with five out of six with one full correct prediction and three very close ones, making the running total now 43-31 (58%).