Super League Attendances: Three amazing crowds stand out

The Betfred Super League season got off to an amazing start with a record overall Round One Super League attendance.

The action started with Hull FC and Hull KR meeting in a feisty derby to begin the season. Hull KR claimed the win after tries for the debuting Niall Evalds and Kelepi Tanginoa and from Mikey Lewis and Matt Parcell.

The game was clouded for both sides by red cards for Ligi Sao and Franklin Pele and yellows for Parcell and Herman Ese’ese. This came in front of 20,000 fans watching in the highest opening attendance since 2007.

There were also five  figure crowds at St Helens and Leeds Rhinos as two former Champions started the season with impressive wins. The Rhinos defeated  Salford Red Devils and St Helens put new boys London Broncos in their place.

Elsewhere, in front of a record opening crowd for the club, Leigh Leopards lost to Huddersfield Giants.

Saturday saw more red card controversy in front of 10,000 fans at the Jungle as Liam Watts was sent off for Castleford Tigers in a turning point that saw Wigan Warriors storm to victory.

There was similar controversy in front of a strong crowd in France as Catalans Dragons defeated Warrington Wolves.

Like the game at Leigh this was in front of 8,000 fans and represented the third close encounter of the weekend after the games between Leigh and Huddersfield and Leeds and Salford.

The weekend ended with the table in familiar fashion with St Helens top and Wigan Warriors second in the table.

Betfred Super League Round One attendances

Thursday February 15

Hull FC v Hull KR – 20,014 – Hull’s highest ever attendance for a Super League opener, and the best in Super League since 2007

Friday February 16

Leeds Rhinos v Salford Red Devils – 15,126

Leigh Leopards v Huddersfield Giants – 8,508 – Leigh’s highest attendance for a Super League opener

St Helens v London Broncos – 14,058

Saturday February 17

Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors – 10,170

Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves – 8,876