This weekend's Round Up (1-2 February)

The final set of pre-season friendlies took place at the weekend, as Hull FC hung on to defeat Castleford Tigers 16-10 in Joe Westerman’s Testimonial game on Saturday. 

There was a bumper crowd down at the Jungle, as both teams had their final run outs ahead of the new Betfred Super League campaign.

It was John Cartwright’s first game in charge, as the Black & Whites overturned a 10-4 deficit to claim a gutsy win.

Josh Simm and Innes Senior crossed for Cas’ tries in the first forty, with Jordan Rapana scoring for FC. Then, early second half tries from Jed Cartwright and Amir Bourouh as well as solid defence in the later stages would secure a pre-season win.

Toby King also celebrated his Testimonial as Warrington Wolves hosted Leigh Leopards in a pulsating contest at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The teams went in all square at the break, Matty Ashton’s try in the corner cancelling out Bailey Hodgson’s opener for the Leopards.

Jake Thewlis broke the second half deadlock by fooling the Leopards defence, withOli Leyland’s second goal giving the hosts a 12-6 lead.

But a flurry of late Leopards tries by Andrew Badrock, Keanan Brand and Nathan Wilde steered the visitors to a 12-20 victory. 

Elsewhere, Catalans Dragons ran riot against Toulouse with a 42-10 scoreline in Perpignan, while Featherstone Rovers defeated Huddersfield Giants 24-4 in their pre-season friendly.

Dewsbury Rams also beat a youthful Bradford Bulls side 30-28 in a high-scoring affair.

There will be no pre-season friendlies this weekend due to the Third Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup taking place.

Meanwhile, Preliminary Round One of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup also got underway, with three terrific try fests.

Results: Newcastle Thunder 0-60 North Wales Crusaders, Midlands Hurricanes 52-24 Whitehaven, Rochdale Hornets 64-12 Cornwall

The AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Preliminary Round Two ties will take place on the weekend of 15/16 February.