RESULTS: 2023 Betfred Super League Round 19

A full wrap of Round 19 of the Super League with AJ Lucantonio and Rugby League Project.

All listed times are AEST (NSW/QLD/VIC/ACT).

RELATED: See the full list of 2023 Betfred Super League Draw and Results.

St Helens 12
Catalans Dragons 14

Venue: Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens
Crowd: 12193
Date: Friday 14 July 2023 at 5:00am

St Helens (12)
Tries: Mark Percival, Lewis Dodd
Goals: Mark Percival 1/1, Joey Lussick 1/1

Catalans Dragons (14)
Tries: Tom Johnstone, Matt Ikuvalu
Goals: Adam Keighran 3/3

St Helens: Welsby, Hopoate, Hurrell, Percival, Bennison; Lomax, Dodd; Walmsley, Roby, Lees, Mata'utia, Bell, Knowles. Int: Lussick, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Paasi, Delaney.
Catalans: Tomkins, Davies, Ikuvalu, Keighran, Johnstone; May, Pearce; Navarrete, McIlorum, McMeeken, Whitley, Séguier, Garcia. Int: Bousquet, Chan, Dezaria, Ma'u.

Catalans have hung on for a determined two point victory over defending champs St Helens to move four points clear at the top of the Super League ladder.

It was a game that was played at a frantic pace and showcased both sides deserved to be competing for the top spots in 2023. It took 15 minutes for the scorers table to be put to work, showcasing both sides tenacity in defence. Adam Keighran knocked over a penalty goal. Six minutes later, Johnny Lomax's kick was intercepted by Keighran who found the flying Tom Johnstone who raced away for the first try of the match.

Saints crossed for a try just before the break. Mark Percival latched onto a Lewis Dodd grubber to cross for a deserved try working through several defensive sets on their own line before working their way down field. Percival added the extras and only trailed by two at the break.

Five minutes after the resumption. Catalans added to their advantage when Matt Ikuvalu squeezed his way through several defenders to score in the corner. Keighran again nailed his conversion from the sideline to extend the margin beyond two scores.

Saints lost Percival and James Roby to failed HIA's leaving them in doubt for the Challenge Cup semi. Will Hopoate finally unlocked the Dragons defence with a clever ball inside to send Dodd over with six minutes left. Joey Lussick's conversion made it a two-point game and Saints almost snatched it on the hooter when Hopoate blazed down the right but a costly mistake saw the Tongan fling his final pass and the game away.

Huddersfield Giants 34
Wakefield Trinity 6

Venue: John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield
Crowd: 5872
Date: Saturday 15 July 2023 at 4:45am

Huddersfield Giants (34)
Tries: Tui Lolohea 2, Chris McQueen, Kevin Naiqama, Jermaine McGillvary, Sam Halsall
Goals: Oliver Russell 5/6

Wakefield Trinity (6)
Tries: Samisoni Langi
Goals: Max Jowitt 1/1

Huddersfield: Connor, McGillvary, Bibby, Naiqama, Halsall; Lolohea, Russell; Hill, Milner, Wilson, Cudjoe, McQueen, Yates. Int: Peats, Greenwood, English, Hewitt.
Wakefield (Trinity): Jowitt, Lineham, Lyne, Langi, Kershaw; Dagger, Lino; Bowden, Hood, Battye, Ashurst, Pitts, Kay. Int: Bowes, Fifita, Atoni, Proctor.

Wakefield's two game winning streak has come to an end after getting thrashed 34-6 by the Huddersfield Giants who kick started a two game winning streak of their own.

The Giants opened the scoring inside the first five minutes. Chris McQueen crashed his way through some would be attempts of tackle to score the first try of the game. Oliver Russell's conversion made the score 6-0. Wakefield showed signs of their recent defensive resilience holding Huddersfield at bay throughout the first half.

However, in the latter stages of the half. Their resilience began to crumble. Kevin Naiqama crossed seven minutes from the break, showcasing his footwork when he stepped past the defence to go over to make it 12-0. Huddersfield increased their advantage with seconds left before the interval, as a good passing move resulted in Sam Halsall gliding over in the corner to lead 16-0 at the break.

Two minutes after the resumption. The Giants continued from where they left off. Jermaine McGillvary got the ball over the line within 90 seconds of the restart and Russell made no mistake from the kick this time extending the margin to 22. Five minutes later, it was beginning to look like a cricket score. Tui Lolohea reacted first after Trinity mistake, but he made no mistake in getting the try and neither did Russell with his conversion.

Wakefield avoided yet another Super League duck egg this season when Sanisoni Langi lunging over from close range, making it to the line. Max Jowitt added the extras. Lolohea added a second try in the closing stages to make the score look like the domination it was at 34-6.

Wigan Warriors 26
Warrington Wolves 12

Venue: DW Stadium, Wigan
Crowd: 13105
Date: Saturday 15 July 2023 at 5:00am

Wigan Warriors (26)
Tries: Liam Farrell, Jacob Wardle, Bevan French, Liam Marshall
Goals: Harry Smith 5/5

Warrington Wolves (12)
Tries: Daryl Clark, James Harrison
Goals: Stefan Ratchford 2/2

Wigan: Field, Miski, King, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Ellis, O'Neill, Byrne, Shorrocks, Farrell, Smithies. Int: Pearce-Paul, Mago, Hill, Nsemba.
Warrington: Dufty, Russell, Mata'utia, Ratchford, Minikin; Walker, Drinkwater; Dudson, Clark, Vaughan, Currie, Harrison, Philbin. Int: Kasiano, Bullock, Whitehead, Holroyd.

Warrington have continued their spectacular Super League collapse dropping five of their last six, including a 26-12 loss to Wigan.

The visitors started so well when James Harrison crossed inside the opening ten minutes. But it was Wigan who'd dominate the remainder of the match. They set up camp in Warrington's end of the ground and after wave after wave of attack they finally breached the Wire's line. Liam Marshall crossed and it looked as if the Warriors would continue their domination.

However, Wolves took advantage of their limited possession and capitalised. Daryl Clark crossed from short distance and with Ratchford's conversion. They look poised to be in front at the break. However, the Wolves counted their chickens before they hatched and Bevan French capitalised on a break from Jake Wardle to score and level the scores at 12-12.

Wigan capitalised on a penalty when Marshall was taken out off the ball. Matty Smith calmly slotted a penalty goal to give the Warriors a 14-12 lead. Future Newcastle Knight Kai Pearce-Paul continued to show his future club why they paid for him in advance with several strong runs up the middle.

One of these runs put Wigan on the front foot. This saw the ball go wide and Wardle crossed to put his side ahead beyond two scores. Wigan sealed the game 10 minutes from time when Liam Farrell crossed to submit Wolves to an embarrassing run of recent form which has their finals position in jeopardy.

Leeds Rhinos 18
Hull KR 19

Venue: Headingley Stadium, Leeds
Crowd: 13728
Date: Saturday 15 July 2023 at 5:00am

Leeds Rhinos (18)
Tries: Ash Handley, Corey Johnson, Jarrod O'Connor
Goals: Rhyse Martin 3/3

Hull Kingston Rovers (19)
Tries: Tom Opacic, Louis Senior, Brad Schneider
Goals: Rowan Milnes 3/4
Field Goals: Brad Schneider

Leeds: Myler, Fusitu'a, Martin, Macdonald, Handley; Edgell, Sezer; Oledzki, O'Connor, Walters, Bentley, McDonnell, Smith. Int: Lisone, Holroyd, Sangaré, Johnson.
Hull KR: Ryan, Senior, Opacic, Kenny-Dowall, Hall; Milnes, Schneider; Kennedy, Litten, King, Batchelor, Keinhorst, Hadley. Int: Parcell, Storton, Johnson, Luckley.

A golden point field goal capped a dream debut for mid-season signing Brad Schneider as Hull KR slithered to a 19-18 victory over the Leeds Rhinos. 

The fresh signing from Canberra opened the scoring inside 7 minutes. Shaun Kenny-Dowall broke through before offloading to Schneider to collect the opening try on his Super League debut. Rowan Milnes converted for a 6-0 score. 

Leeds soon countered the fast start from the visitors. Jarrod O'Connor darted over from close range beating some sloppy defence from the visitors who should've done a better job at containing the little man. Rhyse Martin converted to level the scores. Rovers responded in the 17th minute of the game when fellow Australian Tom Opacic was on the end of Schneider's kick to touch down for the visitors. Milnes converted to extend the margin back out to six for the visitors.

Ten out from the break, brilliant quick hands from Ethan Ryan and Opacic put Louis Senior away to the corner to extend the margin to 10. Just before the break, Leeds were able to bring the margin back to four points. Nene Macdonald stepped inside SKD and put Corey Johnson over the line to score. Martin's excellent conversion saw the margin reduce to four. Milnes added a penalty goal to make it 18-12 at the break. 

13 minutes after the resumption. Leeds were able to level the scores. It took a beautiful kick by Aidan Sezer and Ash Handley had the pace to get there ahead of Senior to score for the home side. Martin converted from touch to level the scores at 18 apiece. 

Both sides tried their hand at winning the game in regulation through attacking plays and the humble drop-goal. But, both sides failed at that task and the game was sent to golden point. Rovers' new signing proved to be the hero that they needed with Schneider nailing a field goal in the opening period of golden point to secure victory for the visitors. 

Hull FC 36
Castleford Tigers 18

Venue: MKM Stadium, Hull
Crowd: 12352
Date: Sunday 16 July 2023 at 12:00am

Hull FC (36)
Tries: Adam Swift 2, Cameron Scott 2, Carlos Tuimavave, Tevita Satae, Davy Litten
Goals: Liam Sutcliffe 4/5

Castleford Tigers (18)
Tries: Bureta Faraimo, Elliot Wallis, Jack Broadbent
Goals: Gareth Widdop 3/4

Hull FC: Litten, Swift, Sutcliffe, Tuimavave, Barron; Trueman, Clifford; Fash, Houghton, Sao, Scott, Savelio, Cator. Int: Dwyer, Lane, Satae, Taylor.
Castleford: Widdop, Faraimo, Fonua, Broadbent, Wallis; Dean, Miller; Watts, Johnstone, Vete, Mellor, Edwards, Westerman. Int: Griffin, Sutcliffe, Mustapha, Hall.

A second half onslaught from Hull FC has stormed the home side to a 36-18 victory over a struggling Castleford Tigers placing further relegation pressure on the visitors.

The home side got off to a fast start crossing after just seven minutes of play. Adam Swift was jolly on the spot when Jake Clifford's crossfield kick was batted back by Davy Litten into the waiting arms of Swift for the first try. The Tigers hit back five minutes later when Elliot Wallis finished off a clever back-line play and beat the cover defence to score in the corner to take a 6-4 lead.

Hull didn't panic despite trailing early and it was their other half that gave the lead back to the home side. Carlos Tuimavave crashed onto a Jake Trueman pass and the lead was back in Hull's hand, although the goal-kicking could do with some work. Cas drew level when Gareth Widdop added a penalty goal and it was 8-8 at the break.

It was a furious start to the second half from the home side scoring consecutive tries. Chris Satae charged onto a Brad Fash pass and stretching to ground on the line. From the restart, Satae again exposed some horror Cas defence before finding Swift to complete his double. The 20-8 margin was cut in half thanks to Joe Westerman poking through a gap before finding Jack Broadbent to cross.

Broadbent turned from hero to villain after dropping the ensuing restart. Litten scored easily from the ensuing scrum. Cameron Scott would add a further two tries making a dull afternoon for the visitors, but they would leave the scoreboard looking a bit respectable thanks to Bureta Faraimo crossing late.

Salford Red Devils 22
Leigh Leopards 24

Venue: Salford Stadium, Barton-upon-Irwell
Crowd: 6892
Date: Monday 17 July 2023 at 12:00am

Salford Red Devils (22)
Tries: Ken Sio, Ben Hellewell, Andy Ackers, King Vuniyayawa
Goals: Marc Sneyd 3/4

Leigh Leopards (24)
Tries: Ricky Leutele, Zak Hardaker, Ed Chamberlain, Lachlan Lam
Goals: Ben Reynolds 4/5

Salford: Brierley, Sio, Cross, Lafai, Burgess; Croft, Sneyd; Ormondroyd, Ackers, Dupree, Addy, Stone, Atkin. Int: Vuniyayawa, Sidlow, Bourouh, Hellewell.
Leigh: O'Brien, Charnley, Leutele, Hardaker, Briscoe; Reynolds, Lam; Amone, Mellor, Mulhern, Chamberlain, Hughes, Asiata. Int: Nakubuwai, Holmes, Davis, Wilde.

A late Ben Reynolds penalty goal has sealed victory for the Leigh Leopards with a narrow 24-22 verdict over Salford to record their first away win over the Red Devils since 1983.

The home side dominated early possession and was rewarded by crossing the stripe first after 11 minutes of play. Ken Sio was on the end of a well worked backline play and crossed out wide. Marc Sneyd's conversion was waved away.

Leigh crossed for two quick tries to quickly evaporate the control the home side had on the clash. John Asiata made a strong carry but was taken short of the line, before offloading to Ed Chamberlain to cross against his former club. Reynolds converted for a slender lead. This was added to when Ricky Leutele charged over after a clever link-up play with Asiata and Lachie Lam.

The tide changed soon after when a Sneyd 40/20 changed momentum back to the home side. Salford capitalised on the field position which allowed King Vuniyayawa to cross from point blank range. With just two minutes before the break, Andy Ackers exploited some poor Leigh defence to cross and with Snyed's conversion it was 16-10 at the break to the home side.

Salford soon extended this margin at the start of the second half. A clever kick from man in demand Brodie Croft was grounded by Ben Hellewell and it was looking ominous for the high flying Leopards. But, like all good sides they were gearing up for the fight. 29 minutes from time, Lam crashed over after supporting a strong run from Tom Amone and being on the end of his late and clever offload.

With 15 minutes to go, the scores were locked at 22 all. Zak Hardaker was quickest to react to a loose ball close to the Salford line and with Reynolds' conversion the scores were once again locked up, this time at 22-22.

A chance at field goal from Sneyd faded wide and in the following set Salford were then pulled up for offside. This was then compounded by another penalty for dissent towards referee Ben Thaler giving Reynolds the chance to go for goal. The effort sailed through the posts to seal the Leopards' come from behind victory.

Table after Round 19

RELATED: Click here to view the current Betfred Super League table.

RLP Stats Leaders

Top tryscorers

1. Josh Charnley (Leigh) P19, tries - 22
=. Tom Johnstone (Catalans) P19, tries - 22
3. Liam Marshall (Wigan) P16, tries - 16
4. Matty Ashton (Warrington) P18, tries - 15

Top pointscorers

1. Rhyse Martin (Leeds) P19, points - 148 (9T 56G)
2. Marc Sneyd (Salford) P19, points - 145 (3T 65G 3FG)
3. Stefan Ratchford (Warrington) P19, points - 138 (1T 67G)
4. Ben Reynolds (Leigh) P15, points - 132 (5T 56G)

Thanks to Rugby League project!