The top sides from the Super League regular season are rewarded with places in the finals series. Six of the twelve originals joined this new competition. No points are carried over and any side can go on to win the grand final. The only carry over from the league table is where you finished on the ladder decides the pathway then assigned. The higher the finish, the easier the route. All matches are sudden death affairs.
Quarter Finals:
St Helens and Wigan got a bye as they took the top two league places. Third to sixth were then pared off. Fourth side Catalan Dragons hosted fifth placed Leeds Rhinos with a home ground advantage. The in form visitors upset the out of sorts French side 20-10.
Third placed Huddersfield Giants welcomed the sixth side Salford Red Devils. Again the in form lower ranked side comfortably overcame a somewhat flat local team 28-0. Peaking going into the finals is vital and in both cases here the traveling team overcame higher placed opponents.
Semi Finals: Wigan came off a week's rest to take on Leeds at their home ground. Any advantage that offered evaporated when they were stunned 8-20 by a Leeds side firing on all cylinders. Wigan has some exciting players but was nullified by a resolute Leeds team.
Saints hosted Salford and while the latter was up for the challenge, they just fell short 12-19. Most neutrals would have liked to see the fairytale run of Salford continue but it was not to be.
Grand Final: St Helens went to the Theatre of Dreams aiming for a fourth consecutive grand final victory, eclipsing the three Leeds secured from 2007-09. Ironic then that Leeds was here to try and stop that. Despite a fine effort from languishing well down the table to making the top six and then battling to the final, Leed's run ended here.
The truth of the matter was Saints had the class to always look like they had the measure of their opponents. Big match experience is useful when in a game like this and so it proved in this instance. Leeds now have exposure to it and if given another chance soon, should be all the better for it. Saints will be aiming to make it five in a row.
For the regular season, simply click here. Picture: loverugbyleague.
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