Yesterday was a huge day as the season’s story began to unfurl that little bit more. An unconvincing win for Wigan saw their 100% record remain intact and kept them top of the league. Castleford found themselves thumped by an inconsistent Warrington team. Meanwhile, the main event saw Champions St Helens suffer their first defeat of the year.
Well, that was my view.
But what was yours? How did social media react to yesterday’s rugby?
Let’s start with the first game of the day. Wigan travelled over to Salford where a Jackson Hastings drop goal proved the difference. However, it was his young halfback partner who stole the show. Harry Smith is set to be one of the game’s best stand-offs in the years to come and it certainly showed yesterday.
https://twitter.com/WxmRob/status/1396165667045396480
Harry Smith is very good at Rugby League #SLSalWig https://t.co/eTs1dcK0ZL
— Sean Evans (@SeanEvans04) May 22, 2021
Nonetheless, Hastings proved the match winner against his former club and it was a bitter pill to swallow for Salford fans.
What a cracking game! Tough on @SalfordDevils to lose 17-16 to @WiganWarriorsRL especially with @JackoHastings landing the winning field goal! But plenty to cheer both sets of fans – and what a great @GingerPearlFaz try – set up by Harry Smith! Loved it!
— Trevor Hunt (@TheTrevorHunt) May 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/BarBrookhouse/status/1396111677570039815
On the other side of the fence, Wigan fans were keen to remind everyone just how good Hastings is.
WEVE GOT SUPER JACKSON HASTINGS🍒⚪️
— keegan🇧🇼⚽️ (@keegansharpless) May 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/D13lake/status/1396098899077738497
Fans and family from both teams were allowed in the stadium in what was a wonderful occasion. Although it did lead to John Bateman being mistaken for a grandad.
Grandson bro I’m 27…..😂😂 https://t.co/p9dqYrVbxc
— John Bateman (@johnbateman1) May 22, 2021
In yesterday’s second game, Castleford were played off the park by Warrington and it left some Warrington fans a little concerned about how poor their future coach’s team played.
Warrington Wolves 38 Castleford Tigers14
Should I be happy we have won or concerned that our new coach(from next season)has just been hammered? 🤔🙂— COLIN McHUGH (@gudni4) May 23, 2021
Likewise, Cas fans weren’t too pleased with Powell either.
https://twitter.com/DogmaDave/status/1396237903169208326
I was always for him to stay till end, but for me the next 3 games are critical, if we lose them three (or if we lose the semi final and against Hull FC in league) then he needs to go
— Matthew 🍻 (@matthewxsutton) May 23, 2021
That said, there were some Cas fans who immediately jumped to their injuries when contemplating the loss.
https://twitter.com/Gaz_E/status/1396175176845381637
Despite all the talk about injuries and Powell, Gareth Widdop still stole the show.
GW was quality today
— Andy F (@Hickys23) May 22, 2021
@garethwiddop Fabulous performance built on restoring confidence in moving the ball! Happy weekend 🎊 !
— Ian Y 💙 (@cheshian) May 22, 2021
In the final game of the day, Catalans and St Helens served up a classic. The Dragons got over a late re-shuffle of their team to still get the win. It led some to claim the Dragons are more likely champions than the Saints in 2021.
https://twitter.com/YorkshirePad/status/1396175942108733441
Some St Helens fans were still optimistic however believing that the performance actually boded well for the rest of the season.
St Helens monumental performance in Perpignan bodes well for the rest of the season.
3 points:
1. Attack finally started clicking last 15.
2. We never know when we are beat.
3. Six agains aren't much use with 30 seconds to go.
4. Peroni only £5.35 in here.
5. We are the best— Truth Talking Maverick (@TruthTalkingMav) May 22, 2021
What a champion team St Helens are.
No matter the result here we are the real winners. pic.twitter.com/pLsRSNKdw7
— Truth Talking Maverick (@TruthTalkingMav) May 22, 2021
For the Saints, both Regan Grace and Kevin Naiqama asked a lot of questions of a brilliant Catalans defence. They were both so good that the Sky commentary team kept getting them mixed up.
Listening to Bill Arthur on Sky sports Super League …is like listening to your Nan going through all your cousin's names before she gets yours right !!
McIlorum….Maloney ….now Drinkwater …Never mind calling Niaqama ..Regan Grace !!
— Paul Carruthers (@scoobsterville) May 22, 2021
