The 2022 season has concluded so here we reflect on Group 1, comprised of five sides. The reason for so few teams is to lift the competitiveness for the top players heading into the World Cup later in the year. That would only be beneficial to the full degree if all sides in the top flight were competitive.
In 2021 there were ten teams in one division with three tiers of quality. In 2022, there were two divisions, the distribution was five and seven. it was supposed to be six in each but Castleford asked to be placed in the lower division, results later vindicating the request.
A few clubs have cornered the market with regard to quality. Even among just five squads, only three were evenly matched, the other two out of their depth. So the gap between top and bottom seems to have widened so it was a good idea to create two divisions. As to why the talent is not more widely spread is something that surely needs addressing.
York City Knights came in first, ahead of the much vaunted St Helens team. Leeds came third so the expected top three delivered. York's performance was especially meritorious.
Picture: Leeds Rhinos.
On to the playoffs and as you can see the higher finishing sides (green) had mixed fortunes. Saints were upset by Leeds while Wigan gave a good account of themselves but York prevailed. In the final, Leeds was successful in nullifying York's attack and came off victorious.
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