Thought the Saints-Wire match on Friday night was brilliant. It had driving rain and greasy pitch and the away side getting an early lead. Saints were really positive in getting back into the match and you wonder now if Warrington will ever get past them.
=#800000I think the weather played a big part. Warringtopn started like a rocket and looked the part. More or less as soon as the rain really started coming down and the game inevitably slowed down I think Saints took advantage and looked much more assured. It's probably the only criticism of Wire I've got this year in that they sometimes rush their rugby, which while is great to watch it's not always the most effective.
I didnt see more than the last 10 minutes of Huddersfield vs Crusaders. But it was the best part of the match ! I love that Jarrod Sammut, great little player, awful fashion sense. But what a great last ditch try to win it.
=#800000Sammut has been a revelation. Crusaders seemed to dip in form when he picked up that injury. He recently said he was playing with more freedom and enjoyment than at any time since he was a kid. Credits Noble with much of his [irenaissance[/i.
The Hull derby amazingly wasnt the most bile and spite filled match of the weekend. This was despite Peter Fox ruffling the hair of Briscoe as he went over for the opening try. Ben Cockayne was out of order whoooping in that lads face when the ball came loose in a tackle as well, I wonder if the ref could have been a bit stronger or if he wanted to keep it 13 a side at all costs?
Sean Long looked a shadow of his former self and Hull were deservedly knocked out.
=#800000Missed the game as the girlfriend refused four games in a single weekend. I still think Long has got it although he has been a bit patchy at times this season. I am not surprised in the slightest that Ben Cockayne let himself down.
The final match of the weekend was a brilliant spectacle coming down to the last kick of the game. Pat Richards seemed to struggle after missing the first of those big penalties and came up just short.
The main drama surrounded the ability of Sam Tomkins to attach himself to his tackler resulting in penalty being gained, and the Danny McGuire tackle which won Leeds the game (sort of) but at the cost of physical injury to himself.
=#800000Watched it at the local bar and the (Catalan) barman couldn't take his eyes off it. What started off with my girlfriend, myself and two British couples, ended with around 15 people glued to the television.
Thought it was a great game but can't help think that Wigan allowed Leeds win. Let me explain myself before I'm accused of sour grapes or bias. Wigan were woeful from around the 15th minute onwards. Stupid mistakes, bad decisions, ill discipline and at times an embarrassing lack of motivation gave Leeds a platform to do the simple things well and take the game. The Tomkins thing to which you refer isn't something I like to see in the game. However I have seen it in the NRL and SL this year. Hopefully the RFL will look into it and try and put an end to it, although I can see it being difficult to police.
One question for the experts on here. Is Alibert really the best French referee?
And with the fall out continuing around the RLfans network and beyond we can sit objectively and say, what a bloody good weekend of rugby league that was.
=#800000As I said, the majority of the bar were watching the rugby league last night and that's no mean feat considering Espanyol and the Basketball world cup final were on the other televisions.
If I had to pick a winner at the moment it would be Saint Helens.
=#800000Warrington 
