Page 7 - Rugby League World (February 2020)

PHOTOGRAPHY: ARCHIVE TIME MACHINE

“I’d experienced Magic Weekend at Cardiff before,
but that had been in May rather than February, so
the roof was open and the weather quite warm.
“With the roof closed, there seemed to be a lot of
moisture in the air, but the pitch was quite hard, and
it really was pretty slippery.
“You didn’t really know whether to go for boots
with a moulded sole or try longer studs, because
a hard pitch in a humid atmosphere is quite an
unusual combination, and I remember quite a few of
the lads changing their footwear during the match,
but to little effect.
“Whether the conditions were to blame, I’m
not too sure, but I ended up breaking my nose in a
collision with a player called Ben Harrison, which
was both painful and frustrating.”
While Danny Brough will be wearing the colours of
Wakefield and Kevin Brown those of Salford in 2020,
the pair were stars of the Huddersfield side of 2011,
and combined to lead Nathan Brown’s men to their
victory.
Brough scored two tries, the second a superb
45-metre dash, and kicked four goals, while Brown
was inspirational as captain of the Giants, who had
come within one game of the Grand Final the year
before. Keal Carlile, Darrell Griffin and Shaun Lunt
also went over.
Rookie Harlequins coach Rob Powell predicted
there were big things to come from Luke Gale
after the former Doncaster player claimed all the
London side’s points in an 11-4 victory over Catalans
Dragons in match number two.
Gale, who in 2007 had been let go by Leeds Rhinos,
the club he has just joined, crossed the whitewash
twice, kicked one conversion and landed a field goal
for Harlequins, who scored ten of their points in the
first six minutes, then defended manfully.
Castleford coach Terry Matterson backed his
young guns to light up Super League after a 40-20 Schifcofske, the former Canberra Raiders and
win over Wakefield in the third game. Queensland man, landed seven goals.
Teenage Tigers Joe Arundel and Adam Miner both Mick Potter suffered defeat in his first match as
touched down in an eight-try romp inspired by coach of Bradford, who surrendered an 18-point
stand-off Rangi Chase, who also grabbed a try. lead in losing 32-28 to Leeds, for whom Ben Jones-
The other Castleford scorers were Dean Widders Bishop notched a hat-trick. Ryan Hall, Kylie Leuluai
(2), Brett Ferres, Nick Youngquest and Paul Jackson. and Rob Burrow also went over while Kevin Sinfield
Saturday’s fourth match was a repeat of the added four goals for the Rhinos, who went on to
previous season’s Grand Final, in which Wigan beat claim a fifth Super League title that season, beating
St Helens 22-10 at Old Trafford. St Helens 32-6 in the Grand Final.
This time it finished all square after Saints, under Millennium Magic closed with a sweet 34-22 win
new coach Royce Simmons but without the injured for Hull KR over Hull FC in which Ben Galea and Kris
Leon Pryce, fought back from 16-0 down with an Welham both recorded doubles. There were also tries
hour gone. from Blake Green and Clint Newton while Michael
Australian forward Ryan Hoffman, newly recruited Dobson kicked four goals and Welham one.
from Melbourne Storm, was outstanding for Wigan Nine years on, Magic Weekend has been played at
and scored their opening try. Harrison Hansen and Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool, and returns
George Carmont also notched four-pointers while to St James’ Park, where the highest combined
Paul Deacon and Sam Tomkins kicked a goal apiece. attendance of 68,276 was recorded in 2016, after the
Saints’ trio of tries came from Jon Wilkin, Tony second-lowest of 56,869 at Anfield last season.
Puletua and Francis Meli, while Jamie Foster bagged “I’m pleased we still have Magic Weekend, because
two goals. I think it’s a great concept and shows what we do as
Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke was in the crowd well as any other sport, with fans coming together
on the Sunday as a guest of Gareth Thomas, who and enjoying some rugby and a few drinks,” adds
was in action for Crusaders as the North Welsh side Crabtree.
drubbed Salford 42-12 with the help of three tries “And I’m pleased it’s back at Newcastle, because
by Michael Witt and two from Stuart Reardon. Rhys it’s a great stadium in the middle of a great city, and
Williams and Jason Chan also crossed while Clinton that’s an attractive combination.” RLW

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