After all the talking, the stars of the game, the players, took centre stage once again in Round 1 of the National Leagues as they will throughout the season.
It was still 17 vs 17, 80 minutes muck or nettles, close games, big crowds, comebacks, hat tricks, respect for your opponent. It was Rugby League Jim just as we know and love it and couldn’t be without it.
West Bowling could not have a tougher start to the season in the Premier Division with Siddal their opponents away last week and now welcoming West Hull to Bradford on Saturday in Round 2. The big question is can they make it four points out of four against last season’s top two teams after their surprise win in the first outing?
Wath Brow Hornets have also had the same tough start as West Bowling as they had their longest trip of the season to West Hull where they lost in a high scoring game with Morgan McCourt scoring a hat trick. They host Siddal at Cleator Moor where off the field the team from Halifax will receive the customary Cumbrian hospitality but for the 80 minutes on the pitch the players will know they will have been in a battle.
In Division 1, the two teams promoted last season Dewsbury Celtic host East Leeds. It was probably a surprise that Celtic won in Leeds at Stanningley in Round 1 and East Leeds, who were free scoring last term in putting over a thousand points on the board, conceded 19 straight point to lose after being 18-0 up. In last week's game the biggest winning score-line was ten points and the match-ups this time look like there will a number of close encounters again with all of them too close to call.
Hindpool Tigers will be looking for a faster start in the Cumbrian Conference this week against Millom after being down by 18 at the end of the first quarter with Ulverston looking like they were going to get an away day win but the Tigers bit back and ended up taking the two points in a 30-24 win. Dalton were surprise winners at Millom where Bibby & Atkinson both scored two tries. Hot favourites for the league title Hensingham were thankful for a late penalty and drop goal to win by three points at Barrow Island. Another of the first day winners Ellenborough make the short journey to Hensingham this week in what may turn out as the season go on a top two clash.
Friday Night Lights at Blackbrook kicked off the season where Clock Face Miners took the win in an expectably tough St Helens derby. Many people’s idea of the top two for the North West Conference Ince Rose Bridge and Orrell St James battled to a 20-all draw in a thrilling game. Leigh East play their first game of the season when they host Blackbrook. Woolston, narrow winners against Crosfield, travel to Ashton Bears who narrowly lost at Saddleworth Rangers which I suspect will be a very close game.
In Yorkshire A, Bradford Dudley Hill took a lot of positives from their two-point defeat against Drighlington, in that they can hold their own against one of the selections to be near the top of the table when the seasons ends. Both Beverley and Stanley Rangers had strong wins and they meet this Saturday. Mirfield Spartans host Myton Warriors will both be looking for a win when they come up against each other after opening day losses. Keighley Albion were the big winners with an Adam Gaunt hat trick among the scorers, they will envisage a tougher test in Round 2 with a trip to Drighlington.
The meeting of two top ex-Yorkshire Men Premier Teams saw Fryston Warriors inflict a defeat on Siddal Academy, Normanton will be looking for two wins out of two with a trip to Doncaster to face Bentley who were beaten at Newsome Panthers who face a trip to Hull to meet Skirlaugh who had a big first day win as did Featherstone Rovers with Hull Dockers travelling to The Millpond hoping to improve on last weeks loss.
Round 1 certainly ignited the community season with some thrilling encounters played in front of large crowds. Let's hope Round 2 adds more fuel to the fire.
Find out the Round 2 National Leagues fixtures here.
