First of all, the GOOD:
Warrington and Wigan – what a game – outstanding entertainment and probably one of the best games I’ve witnessed for a couple of years. It had everything.
Amos Roberts - is top of the Super League try scoring charts (well just in behind Warrington's Chris Riley actually) and playing out of his skin at the moment.
Huddersfield’s David Hodgson – he scored three tries against Hull KR.
Bradford Bulls – they got their season up and running at the third attempt.
Crusaders – (what!) I know I have to praise them on winning back to back games for the first time in Super League and attracting another very respectable crowd to Wrexham (6794).
The RFL Media Department – yes those long suffering people at Red Hall get a pat on the back for their level of communication being sent out. If I look at the past week (16th-23rd February) – 35 emails in 7 days shows there are stories the RFL is putting out there. I hope such output continues – it makes article writing far easier.
LSV for letting Leigh East and Leigh Miners make sure that next weekend in Leigh will be like a local version of the Magic Weekend.
Paul March – The Hunslet coach really helped me out in a cracking interview that will make the Leigh East programme for the clubs Challenge Cup game.
The return of Championship Rugby League to our screens.
Workington Town – Defeated local rivals Whitehaven 22-14 last weekend, having lost to the same opposition over the Christmas period by 60-6! That is what I call a turnaround!
The announcement that the next World Cup will be expanded – the 2013 competition will involve 14 teams up from 10 in 2008.
Sky Sports Viewing Figures – the greatest game is attracting some of it’s best audiences to coverage currently.
Now the BAD:
RFL Disciplinary Hearings for Super League players – in my opinion these are far too lenient when you compare them with North West Counties or BARLA or even semi-professional clubs. Adrian Morley was found not guilty, Garreth Carvell was banned for one game, overturned on appeal and Olivier Elima was only handed a one match ban for a similar high tackle that saw a Leigh reserve player handed three matches.
Whitehaven – are really out of form at the moment, they turned in a mistake ridden game at Keighley a couple of years ago then slipped to defeat last weekend to their big local rivals.
Midweek Northern Rail Cup attendances – Over the past week only one game in midweek attracted more than 800 people. Clubs will not be able to balance the books on such low attendances.
Lee Briers limped out of the brilliant Warrington – Wigan game with an ankle problem.
More snow – the weather played havoc with the Northern Rail Cup last weekend with only two of ten fixtures taking place.
The BBC – still showing The Super League show at daft o’clock if you live outside the North.
Keighley Cougars – it was announced that they would start the season on minus 9 points.
And the UGLY
Terry Newton – the 31 year old Wakefield hooker has played for top clubs Leeds, Wigan and Bradford. He failed a drugs test from the 24th November, the result was announced last weekend. Newton admitted to taking a Human Growth Hormone and was sacked by his club on Monday. He was also banned from anything rugby related for two years. In a statement released through solicitors he said “I have made a grave error of judgement in taking a banned substance and hope that, if nothing else, my stupidity will be a warning to any other professional in any sport of the consequences of doing so.”
You don't say, Terry. I think he has been very silly and this will more than likely be career ending. The substance that Newton has admitted taking has been banned in athletics since 1989. This story was also newsworthy with the admission of the UK Anti-doping Agency that it came through blood testing. It just shows there is nowhere to hide if you are cheating.
That said, I do hope that Paul Cullen was just scaremongering when he suggested it was the “tip of the iceberg”.
I know that Rugby League players are one of the most tested in the world of sport. The message being given out loud and clear is do not take anything you shouldn't and consult before taking any substance.
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