WITH another week done and dusted in the 2019 Betfred Super League, Nathan Okell takes a look around the grounds at the other results and talking points from round two.

This season, it seems that either the referees are taking a tougher stance on infringements or more rule bending is happening on a game-by-game basis.

So far, there has been six yellow cards issued in the opening two rounds as well as two issued in pre-season warm-ups – three for Warrington and two alone for Danny Brough for dissent.

Warrington Guardian:

Blake Austin heads to the sin bin against Hull KR on Saturday. Picture: Mike Boden

This, paired with the fact that the opening 23 minutes of the Wakefield-St Helens game saw 10 penalties awarded by Robert Hicks, suggests that refs are clamping down hard this year and are not shy to punish sides for their indiscretions.

At the completion of round two, Warrington Wolves (second), Salford Red Devils (first), Castleford Tigers (third) and St Helens (fourth) are the only sides remaining undefeated.



 

St Helens maintained their 100 percent record this campaign after a try from Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, with 49 seconds on the clock, secured a 24-18 defeat of Wakefield at Belle Vue.



 

The visitors outscored the Yorkshire side five tries to three, but with Mark Percival only successfully converting one of his efforts, Saints made hard work of the win.

The battle of competing England wingers Tom Johnstone and Tommy Makinson proved compelling to onlookers, with each bagging a brace and acrobatic finishes in the corner to boot.

Warrington Guardian:

Tommy Makinson acrobatics in scoring a try for Saints at Wakefield. Picture: Bernard Platt



 

Thursday’s televised encounter of Hull FC taking on Castleford saw the Black and Whites condemned to their second loss of the season, and more worryingly for head coach Lee Radford, their 13th on the trot.

A Michael Shenton brace helped the Tigers to a 14-12 half-time lead, with further scores from James Clare and Junior Moors in the second period securing a 26-18 victory.

Warrington Guardian:

Castleford Tigers' Michael Shenton (right) celebrates scoring his side's first try at Hull. Picture: Richard Sellers/PAWire

Hull will be disappointed with the result, but can take heart from a gritty performance which they can build on, with notable praise going to England star Jake Connor, who looked a threat all night.

Wigan wiped away their negative points total at the second time of asking following their 32-16 home victory over Leeds, giving them a boost going into Sunday’s World Club Challenge against Sydney Roosters.

After a tit-for-tat opening quarter, Warriors asserted their dominance through tries from Ben Flower, Joe Greenwood and Joe Bullock, before second-half scores by George Williams and Liam Farrell sealed the win.

Warrington Guardian:

Wigan Warriors' Joe Bullock goes over for a try past Leeds Rhinos' Jack Walker. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

Leeds again looked discombobulated in their second outing, particularly in the halves as new signing Tui Lolohea and Richie Myler failed to get a grasp on the game and steer their team around the park effectively.

A dark horse to do well in this year’s competition could well be Salford Red Devils, who put London to the sword in a 24-0 rout.

Tries from Ken Sio on his home debut, Niall Evalds, Josh Jones and the again outstanding Jackson Hastings caught the eye on Sunday afternoon, but head coach Ian Watson will be delighted with his side’s defence, which remained stern against a Broncos side which put 42 on Wakefield a week earlier.

Another home fixture against Leeds looms in a fortnight, with the result being a good yardstick on Salford’s capabilities as the competition progresses.



 

Rounding up week two, Catalans Dragons put their disappointing defeat at Castleford behind them with a comprehensive 27-10 home win over Huddersfield.

Man-of-the-match Sam Tomkins excelled on his Perpignan debut, contributing 14 of his side’s points and having a hand in others to ensure Giants flew home on the back of another Super League loss.

Simon Woolford will be concerned with the way his side are leaking points, with a total of 61 being conceded in his team’s two outings so far this campaign.