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Super League Round Eight Roundup: A high-scoring weekend of quality rugby

Round eight of the Betfred Super League saw some big results at both ends of the table, with six teams now on the same points to make the return of rugby league even more exciting for the fans.  

Super League Round Eight Roundup: A high-scoring weekend of quality rugby
LEEDS, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Regan Grace of St Helens runs with the ball prior to scoring a try during the Betfred Super League match between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens at Emerald Headingley Stadium on August 09, 2020 in Leeds, England. Stadiums remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
lukewallworth
By Luke Wallworth

Last weekend's Betfred Super League fixtures gave the fans watching from home plenty to cheer about, as four out of the five round eight games saw the winning teams pick up a minimum of seven tries. 

Wigan Warriors were the only winning side to not follow suit, just about edging Wakefield Trinity to remain 1st in the table. A summary of all of the action in round eight is below:

  • Castleford slump to heavy defeat from Catalans

Castleford Tigers 14 Catalans Dragons 40 

The round opened last Saturday with Castleford Tigers against Catalans Dragons at the Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds, the neutral venue for all of round eight's fixtures. 

A close first forty saw Castleford trailing Catalans by just two points, but The Dragons picked up the pace in the second half and smashed four unanswered tries past Castleford's defence to put the game to bed. 

Both sides now sit on eight points each, with Catalans in 5th and Castleford one place below. 

  • Hull KR sink to sixth defeat in a row

Warrington Wolves 40 Hull KR 10

Warrington Wolves breezed past a poor Hull Kingston Rovers in the next game of the weekend. Hull KR went into the break eight points behind Warrington, a realistic deficit to cut but required a better second forty from them.

But it was Warrington who came out with more desire in the second-half, with a further six tries to stretch the deficit massively for Hull. Saturday's result was The Robins' sixth defeat on the bounce, as Tony Smith's men continue their search for their first victory since their opening game of the season.

  • Red Devils run rampant

Salford Red Devils 54 Hull FC 18

In Sunday's early kick-off, Salford Red Devils returned to the field in style after smashing 10 tries past Hull FC. Both sides were without players due to injury, but it was Salford who looked the sharper side after a five month break. 

A top-class performance from Tui Lolohea is what made the difference for The Red Devils, as the Tongan made some quality assists and picked up two tries himself to give Salford a comfortable victory. 

Yesterday's game was Hull's interim Head Coach Andy Last's first in charge, and likely one he'd like to forget quickly.

  • Wigan hold on to stay top

Wakefield Trinity 22 Wigan Warriors 23

Wakefield Trinity nearly pulled off what would have been an impressive comback victory over Wigan Warriors yesterday, but The Warriors held on to stay 1st.

Some strong defending in the first forty to stop a Tony Gigot try, and a Harry Smith drop goal in the dying minutes clinched the victory for Wigan.

The Warriors' last Super League game was a defeat away to Salford Red Devils in March, so yesterday's result was a well-needed victory as the top of the table gets tight. 

  • Saints breeze past the Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos 0 St. Helens 48 

Four tries in both halves from St. Helens was more than enough to breeze past Leeds Rhinos in the last game of round eight. 

It seemed to be St. Helens' day from the off, as James Graham, on his return to the club, was the first to ground the ball. And a trio of tries from Regan Grace, two of them consisting of full-pitch sprints from the Welsh winger, summed up Saints' outstanding performance. 

Saints' sit in second on points difference, but are level on points with the next five teams below them.