It’s back to that time again when matches are coming thick and fast – if only as friendlies as teams prepare for the seasons ahead.
With the Championship and League 1 seasons starting before Super League, it’s been necessary to get good run-outs in order to gain match fitness – something which cannot be produced via training.
Featherstone Rovers overcame local rivals Wakefield Trinity 22-18 in a superb display that certainly left the rest of the Championship to sit up and take note whilst Leeds Rhinos were able to overcome Bradford Bulls in a traditional good old fashioned derby.
Elsewhere, Castleford Tigers thrashed Doncaster, with Huddersfield Giants putting the Batley Bulldogs to the sword.
Featherstone v Wakefield
Craig Kopczak (Featherstone) – leg
Bradford v Leeds
Aaron Murphy (Bradford)
Sam Walters (Leeds) – shoulder
Doncaster v Castleford
Kenny Edwards (Castleford) – knee
Danny Richardson (Castleford) – foot
With Featherstone getting their Championship season underway against York City Knights next Monday, the club will be hoping for good news on the Kopczak injury front after he limped off after powering his way through four defenders.
Meanwhile, Castleford boss Lee Radford was optimistic that the knocks to Edwards and Richardson won’t keep them out for a while.