Monday 12 March 2018 19:36, UK
St Helens remain unbeaten, Catalans record first win, while Leigh are under pressure and the NRL kicks-off down under.
St Helens marching on
St Helens made it five wins out of five with a 30-18 win over Warrington as they continue to impress with some excellent displays. A Mark Percival hat-trick helped them to victory while Danny Richardson pulled the strings with some wonderful skill and vision.
Hat-trick heroes
As mentioned above, Percival scored three for Saints did Joe Burgess as Wigan inflicted Wakefield's first defeat of the season with a 30-18 win. Wakefield were 12-0 up at half-time but the Warriors fought back to climb above the Yorkshire club and reach second place in the table behind arch-rivals Saints.
Relief for Catalans
The Dragons secured their first Super League win of the season with an 18-16 victory over Hull KR, much to the relief of coach Steve McNamara.
"We needed to win. The players have worked their socks off and worked hard over long periods," said McNamara after the game.
"It wasn't a classic match by any stretch and I thought we played better against Wakefield and St Helens in our previous two home games, but to get the win is a reward for the players.
"It was an anxious nervous performance, it was a huge monkey on our backs, and the two points was all that matters.
The Dragons will be looking for two wins on the trot when they welcome Warrington to Perpignan on Saturday.
Jones makes history
Congratulations to Tara Jones who became the first ever on-field female official in Super league when she was the in Goal Match Official as Wigan defeated Wakefield 30-18 at the DW Stadium.
Changes at Cas
On the field, Castleford made it three straight wins as they took advantage of a woeful first-half performance by Salford to record a 22-8 victory in a scrappy and rather ill-tempered Super League fixture.
Our very own Jon Wells will get a much friendlier welcome at the The Mend-A-Hose Jungle as it was announced that he will join the Tigers as their Director of Rugby. Jon's analysis of the game is a key part of our live coverage and we are pleased to say that he will continue to bring his insights and get the best out of our guests at the Sky Cart. Best of luck Jon!
Meanwhile in the NRL…
The North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm looked sensational in their opening games with wins over the Cronulla Sharks and Canterbury Bulldogs respectively.
In his 300th game for the Cowboys, jonathan Thurston showed theuir is still pelenty if magic left in him while Cameron Munster was in dazzling form for Storm.
Also catching the eye was Newcastle Knights who won their opening game of the season against the Manly Sea Eagles as Mitchell Pearce kicked a drop goal for the golden point winner! No draws necessary in the NRL!
Leigh in trouble
Tough times for Leigh who have a mountain to climb in the Championship as they were well beaten 38-18 by Halifax.
It was their fifth defeat in six games and caretaker coach Kieron Purtill said the Centurions will need to go on the best winning streak the club has ever seen if they want to make the Championship top four: "I think the club will have to win virtually every single game they've got left to finish in that top four and there's no getting away from it- we'd have to go on the best run this club has ever been on, but there are some good teams in this league."
