2010 St Helens RLFC season
Encyclopedia
St Helens entered their 136th year in rugby
in 2010, their 115th in rugby league
, and are in contention for the Europe
an Super League
, in its 15th Season
, and the 109th Challenge Cup
.
and Tom van Vollenhoven
in the 1960s. The away kit is a striking, new colour combination never before seen by the Knowsley Road faithful, a sharp blue jersey with a white "vee" and red trim within the "vee". St Helens also launched a commemorative heritage strip that celebrates St Helens' 110th and final season at Knowsley Road.
Below is a list of St Helens sponsors and partners for 2010:
, Lee Gilmour
and Sean Long
with the signings of prop forward Nick Fozzard
(returning to the club after a year at Hull KR
), centre Iosia Soliola
from Sydney Roosters
and hooker Scott Moore
returning from loan spells at Castleford Tigers
in 2008
and Huddersfield Giants
in 2009
. The club also promoted youngsters Jack Bradbury
, a centre, and stand-off Lee Gaskell
. Matty Smith
and Steve Tyrer
are again let out on loan, this time both players leaving for Salford City Reds
for the season, whilst Chris Dean
was "dual-registered" with Widnes Vikings
. St Helens saw no coaching change despite finishing trophy-less for the first time in 4 years and some fans calling for the sacking of head coach Mick Potter. The clubs pre-season went well, defeating Widnes and Halifax
convincingly before the Under 21's fell to a 44-0 loss to Keighley Cougars
.
Tuesday 19th January (Karalius
Widnes Vikings
26-42 St Helens
Friday 22nd January (Mike Bennett Testimonial match
St Helens 38-18 Halifax RLFC
Preview:
The game will see former talismanic scrum-half and captain Sean Long
return to Knowsley Road
with his new side Hull; ironically as captain. The St Helens squad sees Francis Meli
absent as the big Kiwi
and Samoa
wing is in his native Samoa
on compassionate grounds. His place is likely to be taken by Gary Wheeler
or Jonny Lomax
. Elsewhere, Saints are at full strength, with no place available for second-rows Matty Ashurst
or Andy Dixon
or prop Gareth Frodsham
in the initial 19-man squad.
St Helens 12-32 Hull
St Helens' season got off to the worst possible start with a crushing loss to Hull at a foggy Knowsley Road
. Despite a strong start, making good yardage and showing signs of the Saints flair of the Millward
and Anderson
eras, Saints failed to execute throughout and their defence proved leaky with Willie Manu
cantering over in the 25th minute. Epalahame Lauaki
barged over 12 minutes after brushing off Leon Pryce
, following more shocking defence from the five-time champions, and Hull continued to press after half-time, with Sean Long
returning to haunt his former employers in a man-of-the-match performance, and Tom Briscoe
adding scores to make the game safe with a 26-0 scoreline. Saints hit back through quick-fire tires from Matt Gidley and Chris Flannery, but again, the finishing touch was found lacking in vital areas, meaning they could not pull off a comeback of old. Kirk Yeaman
competed the win in the 75th minute after latching on to a Craig Fitzgibbon
hack-on. No doubt, St Helens must improve on their basics should they want to trouble Leeds
and usual pace-setters in the top four.
vs St Helens
Preview:
The game sees St Helens' big winger Francis Meli
return to the initial 19-man squad for the round 2 game at the Odsal Stadium
. second-row Matty Ashurst
also comes back into contention for Saints. They take the places of centre Iosia Soliola
who is out for three to four weeks with an ankle
problem and wing Ade Gardner
who has and intercostal muscle
injury and is out of contention for six to eight weeks. Talismanic hooker and skipper Keiron Cunningham
was due to earn his 500th cap in the professional game but missed the fixture due to a family bereavement.
Bradford Bulls 6-38 St Helens
St Helens got back to winning ways after the week previous' crushing loss to Hull with a resounding win at Bradford. Saints started the game well, with Jon Wilkin opening the scoring in the 12th minute. From this St Helens kicked on, Kyle Eastmond
kicking a penalty before full-back Paul Wellens
scored two of his eventual four tries before the half-hour mark. Saints continued the pressure after the half-time break with Eastmond intercepting and going 80 metres in the 48th minute. Bradford applied the pressure for fifteen minutes, but a mixture of awesome defence and poor decision making from the Bulls meant Saints kept them at nil. Wellens added his third and fourth in the 65th and 71st minutes before Bradford responded through a Matt Orford
try and goal; a scant consolation score in the final moments of the game. A mention must go to Leon Pryce
who had a hand in no less than 3 of his sides tries against his former employers. St Helens look to be back to their destructive best, and this win may relieve the pressure on under-fire coach
Mick Potter.
Catalans Dragons
vs St Helens
Preview:
St Helens will be looking to build upon last weeks first win of the season at Bradford. However, they do not boast a healthy record at the Stade Gilbert Brutus
, winning only twice over four seasons. Andy Dixon
earns a recall, whilst Jack Bradbury
could make his St Helens début in the game after being named in his maiden 19-man squad. Chris Flannery misses out on the game through a shoulder injury, and he joins Iosia Soliola
(ankle) and Ade Gardner
(rib cartilage) on the injury list. Keiron Cunningham
does not travel due to a family bereavement, as he still awaits his 500th game at professional level.
Catalans Dragons 12-42 St Helens
St Helens got back-to-back wins after a comfortable win over the Dragons in Perpignan
. However, it was the Dragons who got the better of the opening exchanges, with Setaimata Sa
and Chris Walker going over inside the first ten minutes. Neither scores were converted, but Catalans had an 8-0 lead. However, on the 15 minute mark, Saints found their cutting edge and began to tick, with young winger Jonny Lomax
latching on to an inch-perfect Paul Wellens
chip. Despite James Graham
being off the field with suspected concussion and Jonny Lomax being caught by a dangerous tackle by Olivier Elima
which resulted in the French
captains sending off, St Helens pressed on and it was Lomax, who shrugged off the shot from Elima to cut inside his opposing winger to score a brilliant try. Kyle Eastmond
goaled from the touchline for a 10-8 St Helens lead, and with the extra man advantage, it was looking ominous for the Dragons. Francis Meli
got his first of the season after a fine kick form the in-form Leon Pryce
, and shortly after, Matt Gidley
cut back inside his winger to finish a fine move for the first of his two tries of the evening. Half-time - 8-18 to Saints. The second-half continued in a similar guise, with Maurie Fa'asavalu
scoring a trade-mark, barnstorming try under the posts. Eastmond was next to score, Gidley cutting through the defence and flicking the ball back on the inside to Eastmond who sped 30 meters for a fine try. Meli then crossed for his second, finishing well a break from Matty Ashurst
. Gidley then got his brace, with a trademark, show and go on the outside to score. That was the end of the St Helens scoring, but by no means the end of the action, with Bryn Hargreaves
and Scott Moore
involved in a brawl with the Catalans forwards. Walker got his second with five minutes remaining, but the win was in the bag by the hour mark.
Preview:
The game will St Helens' talismanic skipper Keiron Cunningham return to the fold to make his 500th appearance in professional rugby, following the sudden death of his mother, Annie. However, winger Ade Gardner and centre Sia Soliola still miss out through rib and ankle injuries respectively. Also, second rowers Jon Wilkin and Chris Flannery will both miss the game with shoulder problems, therefore meaning Matty Ashurst will deputise for his first appearance of 2010.
St Helens 22-16 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
St Helens made it three consecutive wins with a hard fought if scrappy win over the in-form Wakefield. Despite a strong, assured start from the Drednaughts with tries from Daryl Millard
and young Dale Morton
inside the first ten minutes, St Helens finally got going and got onto the scoreboard on 27 minutes with Jonny Lomax notching his third in four games. They continued to apply the pressure in the second half with scores from Kyle Eastmond, Francis Meli and Keiron Cunningham scoring on this landmark game for the hooker. Wakefield applied pressure late on with Millard getting his second, but St Helens held on for the win.
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
in 2010, their 115th in rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
, and are in contention for the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
, in its 15th Season
Super League XV
The 2010 Super League season was the fifteenth season of rugby league football since the Super League format was introduced in 1996. Fourteen teams competed for the League Leader's Shield over 27 rounds . All clubs also participated in the 2010 Challenge Cup tournament...
, and the 109th Challenge Cup
2010 Challenge Cup
The 2010 Challenge Cup is a rugby league football tournament which began its preliminary stages on 2 January 2010...
.
Colours
St Helens stuck with tradition in selecting their home kit for 2010, with a white and red "vee" jersey, similar to the one worn by stars like Alex MurphyAlex Murphy (rugby league)
Alex J. Murphy OBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer and coach of the mid to late 20th century...
and Tom van Vollenhoven
Tom van Vollenhoven
Tom van Vollenhoven is a South African former rugby union and rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 60s....
in the 1960s. The away kit is a striking, new colour combination never before seen by the Knowsley Road faithful, a sharp blue jersey with a white "vee" and red trim within the "vee". St Helens also launched a commemorative heritage strip that celebrates St Helens' 110th and final season at Knowsley Road.
Sponsors
St Helens home jersey for 2010 is sponsored by Frontline Bathrooms, who continue their partnership with the club from last year. St Helens away jersey has a different sponsor, with healthcare cash plan provider Medicash sponsoring the front of the jersey.Below is a list of St Helens sponsors and partners for 2010:
| 2010 St Helens RLFC sponsors | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Name |
| Kit manufacturer | Puma PUMA AG Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major German multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes, lifestyle footwear and other sportswear. Formed in 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, relationships between the two brothers deteriorated until the two... |
| Stadium sponsors | GPW Recruitment |
| Home jersey front sponsor and away jersey collar sponsor | Frontline Bathrooms |
| Away jersey front sponsor | Medicash |
| Shorts sponsor | Tudor North West |
| Home jersey back panel sponsor | Hattons Solicitors |
| Home jersey collar sponsor | Live'smart |
| Arm sponsor | James Edward Land Rover |
| Arm sponsor | Knowsley Safari Park Knowsley Safari Park -External links:**... |
| Travel partners | NetFlights.com |
| Travel partners | Arriva Arriva Arriva plc is a multinational public transport company owned by Deutsche Bahn and headquartered in Sunderland, United Kingdom. It has bus, coach, train, tram and waterbus operations in 12 countries across Europe, employs more than 47,500 people and services over 1.5 billion passenger journeys each... |
| Travel partners | Hattons Travel |
| Website partners | EMS Internet |
| Stadium partners | Science in Sport |
| Stadium partners | Macmillan Cancer Support Macmillan Cancer Support Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities and provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer.... |
| Stadium partners | Playing for Success Playing for Success Playing for Success is an initiative in England set up by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, aims to focus on raising literacy, numeracy and ICT standards amongst demotivated KS2 and KS3 pupils .... |
| Stadium partners | Ruskin Leisure Limited |
| Ball providers | Steeden Steeden Steeden is an Australian sporting goods manufacturer, best known for producing rugby league footballs.Steeden is the official ball supplier of the National Rugby League , Rugby League State of Origin, Kangaroos National Team, New South Wales Rugby League, Queensland Rugby League, Rugby Football... |
| League partners | engage Mutual |
Pre-season
St Helens offset the loss of Jason CaylessJason Cayless
Jason Paul Cayless is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative prop forward, he is the younger brother of Parramatta Eels great, Nathan Cayless. He played his club football for the Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2002...
, Lee Gilmour
Lee Gilmour
Lee Gilmour is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Huddersfield Giants of Super League.Gilmour's usual position is , but he has played on the and in the s when a back-line player suffered an injury....
and Sean Long
Sean Long
Sean Long is an English former professional rugby league and current rugby union footballer with Preston Grasshoppers. He has played for Wigan, Widnes and Hull but is best known for playing for St Helens in the Super League. Internationally he has represented England and Great Britain at /...
with the signings of prop forward Nick Fozzard
Nick Fozzard
Nicholas Fozzard is an English rugby league footballer who is currently playing for Castleford Tigers of Super League.A , his previous clubs are St. Helens, Warrington, Huddersfield, Leeds and Hull KR, and has signed a 1-year deal with Castleford Tigers for the 2011 season.During his spell with St...
(returning to the club after a year at Hull KR
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
), centre Iosia Soliola
Iosia Soliola
Iosia Soliola is a New Zealand international rugby league player currently playing for the St. Helens in the Super League. He is of Samoan descent.-Playing career:...
from Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
and hooker Scott Moore
Scott Moore (rugby league)
Scott Moore is a rugby league footballer who plays for Widnes Vikings in the European Super League.Scott Moore was the youngest ever Super League player when he made his debut at the JJB Stadium aged only 16....
returning from loan spells at Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
in 2008
Super League XIII
Engage Super League XIII was the official name, due to sponsorship, for the 2008 Super League season by Engage Mutual. Twelve teams competed for the Minor Premiership over 27 rounds after which, the top 6 finishing teams entered the play-offs where they competed for a place in the Grand Final and...
and Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
in 2009
Super League XIV
The 2009 Super League season is the fourteenth season of rugby league since the Super League format was introduced in 1996...
. The club also promoted youngsters Jack Bradbury
Jack Bradbury (rugby league)
Jack Bradbury is a professional rugby league footballer who is in his first professional season with St. Helens in the European Super League. Primarily a centre, he signed for the St Helens Academy team after playing youth and amateur football for Saddleworth Rangers...
, a centre, and stand-off Lee Gaskell
Lee Gaskell
Lee Gaskell is a professional rugby league player currently playing for St. Helens in the Super League. Signing from local amateur club Blackbrook Royals, Gaskell is primarily a stand-off half but can convert to the centres when required...
. Matty Smith
Matty Smith
Matty Smith is an English rugby league footballer who plays for Salford City Reds in the engage Super League, having spent the 2010 season on loan there from his parent club St...
and Steve Tyrer
Steve Tyrer
Stephen Tyrer is a rugby league footballer who plays for the Widnes Vikings in the Championship he previously played for Salford City Reds in the Super League. Tyrer is a goal kicking centre or winger....
are again let out on loan, this time both players leaving for Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
for the season, whilst Chris Dean
Chris Dean
Christopher David Dean born 17 January 1988 in Higher End, Wigan, Greater Manchester, is a rugby league player for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the engage Super League. Dean's position of choice is as in the but he can also operate as a or on the . Chris signed for St. Helens aged 15 from the...
was "dual-registered" with Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
. St Helens saw no coaching change despite finishing trophy-less for the first time in 4 years and some fans calling for the sacking of head coach Mick Potter. The clubs pre-season went well, defeating Widnes and Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
convincingly before the Under 21's fell to a 44-0 loss to Keighley Cougars
Keighley Cougars
Keighley Cougars are a professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2012 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 32-12 against Workington...
.
Tuesday 19th January (KaraliusVince KaraliusVincent Peter Patrick Karalius was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning and coach who forged a fearsome reputation both as a strong runner of the ball, and as a devastating tackler.-Club career:...
Cup)
Widnes VikingsWidnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
26-42 St Helens
Friday 22nd January (Mike Bennett Testimonial matchTestimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
)
St Helens 38-18 Halifax RLFCHalifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
Round 1
St Helens vs HullPreview:
The game will see former talismanic scrum-half and captain Sean Long
Sean Long
Sean Long is an English former professional rugby league and current rugby union footballer with Preston Grasshoppers. He has played for Wigan, Widnes and Hull but is best known for playing for St Helens in the Super League. Internationally he has represented England and Great Britain at /...
return to Knowsley Road
Knowsley Road
Knowsley Road was a stadium located in Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside. It was the home of St Helens RLFC from 1890 until its closure in 2010. St Helens Town FC played their home fixtures at Knowsley Road from 2002 until 2010. For a period, the venue also hosted Liverpool FC Reserves...
with his new side Hull; ironically as captain. The St Helens squad sees Francis Meli
Francis Meli
Francis Meli is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for St. Helens in the Super League competition. Meli has represented both New Zealand and Samoa in internationals. His usual position is on the wing....
absent as the big Kiwi
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
and Samoa
Samoa national rugby league team
-Notable Players & Coaches:* John Ackland * Steve Kaiser Coach 1990 - 1994* Steve Kaiser 1986* Afi Ah Koui 1986* Andrew Ah Koui 1986* George Apelu 1986* Fa'ausu Afoa circa-1995* Wing Afoa 1990 - 1994* Isaak Ah Mau circa-2006...
wing is in his native Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
on compassionate grounds. His place is likely to be taken by Gary Wheeler
Gary Wheeler
Gary Wheeler born 30 September 1989 in England is a rugby league player for St. Helens in the engage Super League.Gary Wheeler's position of choice is as a stand-off, but has currently played most of his senior rugby at centre....
or Jonny Lomax
Jonny Lomax
Jonathan "Jonny" Lomax is a professional rugby league player who plays for St Helens in the engage Super League. A versatile player, Lomax is primarily a stand-off but is equally as comfortable at scrum-half, but featured more regularly on the wing in the early stages of his professional career....
. Elsewhere, Saints are at full strength, with no place available for second-rows Matty Ashurst
Matty Ashurst
Matthew "Matty" Ashurst is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for St Helens in the European Super League. Ashurst is predominantly a second-row forward and signed for the club from Wigan St Patrick's having previously played junior football for the Chorley Panthers...
or Andy Dixon
Andrew Dixon (rugby league)
Andrew Dixon is a professional Rugby League player. He plays as a loose forward for St. Helens in the European Super League. He has a good passing and kicking game - categorising him as a ball-playing loose. He signed for the club as a junior from local amateur team Blackbrook Royals ARLFC...
or prop Gareth Frodsham
Gareth Frodsham
Gareth Frodsham born 18 December 1989 in England is a rugby league player for St. Helens in the engage Super League.Gareth Frodsham's position of choice is as a .-External links:*...
in the initial 19-man squad.
St Helens 12-32 Hull
St Helens' season got off to the worst possible start with a crushing loss to Hull at a foggy Knowsley Road
Knowsley Road
Knowsley Road was a stadium located in Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside. It was the home of St Helens RLFC from 1890 until its closure in 2010. St Helens Town FC played their home fixtures at Knowsley Road from 2002 until 2010. For a period, the venue also hosted Liverpool FC Reserves...
. Despite a strong start, making good yardage and showing signs of the Saints flair of the Millward
Ian Millward
Ian Millward is an Australian rugby league coach and former player. Millward is currently the head coach at Super League side Castleford....
and Anderson
Daniel Anderson (rugby league)
Daniel Anderson is an Australian rugby league football coach. Anderson previously coached in Australia, New Zealand and England and is particularly noted for his work with the development of younger players.-Early years:...
eras, Saints failed to execute throughout and their defence proved leaky with Willie Manu
Willie Manu
Willie Manu is an Australian rugby league footballer of Tongan descent who plays for Hull of Super League. He previously played for the Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and St...
cantering over in the 25th minute. Epalahame Lauaki
Epalahame Lauaki
Epalahame Lauaki is a professional rugby league footballer formerly contracted to English club Hull in the Super League. He is brother of All Black Sione Lauaki...
barged over 12 minutes after brushing off Leon Pryce
Leon Pryce
Leon Pryce is an English professional rugby league footballer of Jamaican descent for the St. Helens club of Super League...
, following more shocking defence from the five-time champions, and Hull continued to press after half-time, with Sean Long
Sean Long
Sean Long is an English former professional rugby league and current rugby union footballer with Preston Grasshoppers. He has played for Wigan, Widnes and Hull but is best known for playing for St Helens in the Super League. Internationally he has represented England and Great Britain at /...
returning to haunt his former employers in a man-of-the-match performance, and Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull of Super League. An England international representative three-quarter, he has played his whole professional career to date with Hull....
adding scores to make the game safe with a 26-0 scoreline. Saints hit back through quick-fire tires from Matt Gidley and Chris Flannery, but again, the finishing touch was found lacking in vital areas, meaning they could not pull off a comeback of old. Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull FC of Super League. An England international representative centre three-quarter back, he also previously played for the Great Britain national rugby league team....
competed the win in the 75th minute after latching on to a Craig Fitzgibbon
Craig Fitzgibbon
Craig "Fitzy" Fitzgibbon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for Hull in the European Super League and previously the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he is the son of former rugby league player and...
hack-on. No doubt, St Helens must improve on their basics should they want to trouble Leeds
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
and usual pace-setters in the top four.
Round 2
Bradford BullsBradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
vs St Helens
Preview:
The game sees St Helens' big winger Francis Meli
Francis Meli
Francis Meli is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for St. Helens in the Super League competition. Meli has represented both New Zealand and Samoa in internationals. His usual position is on the wing....
return to the initial 19-man squad for the round 2 game at the Odsal Stadium
Odsal Stadium
Odsal Stadium is a stadium situated in Odsal, Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. The venue is used for rugby league and has been the home ground of Bradford Bulls/Bradford Northern since 1934...
. second-row Matty Ashurst
Matty Ashurst
Matthew "Matty" Ashurst is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for St Helens in the European Super League. Ashurst is predominantly a second-row forward and signed for the club from Wigan St Patrick's having previously played junior football for the Chorley Panthers...
also comes back into contention for Saints. They take the places of centre Iosia Soliola
Iosia Soliola
Iosia Soliola is a New Zealand international rugby league player currently playing for the St. Helens in the Super League. He is of Samoan descent.-Playing career:...
who is out for three to four weeks with an ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
problem and wing Ade Gardner
Ade Gardner
Adrian Antonio Gardner is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain representative winger, he previously played for Barrow Raiders. He is the older brother of Ex-Salford City Reds winger, Mat Gardner.Gardner went to St Columba's Roman...
who has and intercostal muscle
Intercostal muscle
Intercostal muscles are several groups of muscles that run between the ribs, and help form and move the chest wall. The intercostal muscles are mainly involved in the mechanical aspect of breathing...
injury and is out of contention for six to eight weeks. Talismanic hooker and skipper Keiron Cunningham
Keiron Cunningham
Keiron Cunningham is a former British professional rugby league footballer. A Great Britain and Wales international representative hooker, he played his entire club rugby career at St...
was due to earn his 500th cap in the professional game but missed the fixture due to a family bereavement.
Bradford Bulls 6-38 St Helens
St Helens got back to winning ways after the week previous' crushing loss to Hull with a resounding win at Bradford. Saints started the game well, with Jon Wilkin opening the scoring in the 12th minute. From this St Helens kicked on, Kyle Eastmond
Kyle Eastmond
Kyle Eastmond is a professional rugby union footballer who currently plays for Bath, and has played for St. Helens in Super League and internationally for England. Eastmond has been compared to Australian international Scott Prince, because of his darting runs to the line and a good kicking game....
kicking a penalty before full-back Paul Wellens
Paul Wellens
Paul Simon Wellens is an English multi-award–winning rugby league footballer. Wellens plays for St. Helens in the European Super League. Wellens is a Great Britain and England international...
scored two of his eventual four tries before the half-hour mark. Saints continued the pressure after the half-time break with Eastmond intercepting and going 80 metres in the 48th minute. Bradford applied the pressure for fifteen minutes, but a mixture of awesome defence and poor decision making from the Bulls meant Saints kept them at nil. Wellens added his third and fourth in the 65th and 71st minutes before Bradford responded through a Matt Orford
Matt Orford
Matthew Orford is an Australian professional rugby league player, last playing for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League competition...
try and goal; a scant consolation score in the final moments of the game. A mention must go to Leon Pryce
Leon Pryce
Leon Pryce is an English professional rugby league footballer of Jamaican descent for the St. Helens club of Super League...
who had a hand in no less than 3 of his sides tries against his former employers. St Helens look to be back to their destructive best, and this win may relieve the pressure on under-fire coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
Mick Potter.
Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons
The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom...
vs St Helens
Preview:
St Helens will be looking to build upon last weeks first win of the season at Bradford. However, they do not boast a healthy record at the Stade Gilbert Brutus
Stade Gilbert Brutus
Stade Gilbert Brutus is a rugby league stadium located in Perpignan, in the south of France. Even though the stadium currently has around 9,000 seats installed, it can accommodate around 1,000 fans more due to standing room...
, winning only twice over four seasons. Andy Dixon
Andrew Dixon (rugby league)
Andrew Dixon is a professional Rugby League player. He plays as a loose forward for St. Helens in the European Super League. He has a good passing and kicking game - categorising him as a ball-playing loose. He signed for the club as a junior from local amateur team Blackbrook Royals ARLFC...
earns a recall, whilst Jack Bradbury
Jack Bradbury (rugby league)
Jack Bradbury is a professional rugby league footballer who is in his first professional season with St. Helens in the European Super League. Primarily a centre, he signed for the St Helens Academy team after playing youth and amateur football for Saddleworth Rangers...
could make his St Helens début in the game after being named in his maiden 19-man squad. Chris Flannery misses out on the game through a shoulder injury, and he joins Iosia Soliola
Iosia Soliola
Iosia Soliola is a New Zealand international rugby league player currently playing for the St. Helens in the Super League. He is of Samoan descent.-Playing career:...
(ankle) and Ade Gardner
Ade Gardner
Adrian Antonio Gardner is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain representative winger, he previously played for Barrow Raiders. He is the older brother of Ex-Salford City Reds winger, Mat Gardner.Gardner went to St Columba's Roman...
(rib cartilage) on the injury list. Keiron Cunningham
Keiron Cunningham
Keiron Cunningham is a former British professional rugby league footballer. A Great Britain and Wales international representative hooker, he played his entire club rugby career at St...
does not travel due to a family bereavement, as he still awaits his 500th game at professional level.
Catalans Dragons 12-42 St Helens
St Helens got back-to-back wins after a comfortable win over the Dragons in Perpignan
Perpignan
-Sport:Perpignan is a rugby stronghold: their rugby union side, USA Perpignan, is a regular competitor in the Heineken Cup and seven times champion of the Top 14 , while their rugby league side plays in the engage Super League under the name Catalans Dragons.-Culture:Since 2004, every year in the...
. However, it was the Dragons who got the better of the opening exchanges, with Setaimata Sa
Setaimata Sa
Setaimata Sa is a Rugby League player who currently plays for the Catalans Dragons in the European Super League competition. He was previously a part of the Sydney Roosters before his bad behaviour had cost him his contract at the club.He has also represented Samoa on 5 occasions scoring 4 tries...
and Chris Walker going over inside the first ten minutes. Neither scores were converted, but Catalans had an 8-0 lead. However, on the 15 minute mark, Saints found their cutting edge and began to tick, with young winger Jonny Lomax
Jonny Lomax
Jonathan "Jonny" Lomax is a professional rugby league player who plays for St Helens in the engage Super League. A versatile player, Lomax is primarily a stand-off but is equally as comfortable at scrum-half, but featured more regularly on the wing in the early stages of his professional career....
latching on to an inch-perfect Paul Wellens
Paul Wellens
Paul Simon Wellens is an English multi-award–winning rugby league footballer. Wellens plays for St. Helens in the European Super League. Wellens is a Great Britain and England international...
chip. Despite James Graham
James Graham (rugby league)
James Graham is a rugby league player for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative front row forward, he has played his entire professional career to date at St...
being off the field with suspected concussion and Jonny Lomax being caught by a dangerous tackle by Olivier Elima
Olivier Elima
Olivier Elima is a French professional rugby league footballer for English Super League club Bradford Bulls. A France international representative forward, he played previously for English clubs Castleford and Wakefield Trinity.Olivier Elima has previously played in the back-line during the...
which resulted in the French
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
captains sending off, St Helens pressed on and it was Lomax, who shrugged off the shot from Elima to cut inside his opposing winger to score a brilliant try. Kyle Eastmond
Kyle Eastmond
Kyle Eastmond is a professional rugby union footballer who currently plays for Bath, and has played for St. Helens in Super League and internationally for England. Eastmond has been compared to Australian international Scott Prince, because of his darting runs to the line and a good kicking game....
goaled from the touchline for a 10-8 St Helens lead, and with the extra man advantage, it was looking ominous for the Dragons. Francis Meli
Francis Meli
Francis Meli is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for St. Helens in the Super League competition. Meli has represented both New Zealand and Samoa in internationals. His usual position is on the wing....
got his first of the season after a fine kick form the in-form Leon Pryce
Leon Pryce
Leon Pryce is an English professional rugby league footballer of Jamaican descent for the St. Helens club of Super League...
, and shortly after, Matt Gidley
Matthew Gidley
Matthew "Matt" Gidley is an Australian rugby league administrator and retired professional footballer. Born in Newcastle, New South Wales, Gidley represented New South Wales and Australia. He is the currently CEO of Football Operations at the Newcastle Knights...
cut back inside his winger to finish a fine move for the first of his two tries of the evening. Half-time - 8-18 to Saints. The second-half continued in a similar guise, with Maurie Fa'asavalu
Maurie Fa'asavalu
Maurie Fa'asavalu is a Samoan rugby union player who formerly played rugby league for St Helens. He was recently picked in the Great Britain rugby league squad after living in England for 4 years...
scoring a trade-mark, barnstorming try under the posts. Eastmond was next to score, Gidley cutting through the defence and flicking the ball back on the inside to Eastmond who sped 30 meters for a fine try. Meli then crossed for his second, finishing well a break from Matty Ashurst
Matty Ashurst
Matthew "Matty" Ashurst is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for St Helens in the European Super League. Ashurst is predominantly a second-row forward and signed for the club from Wigan St Patrick's having previously played junior football for the Chorley Panthers...
. Gidley then got his brace, with a trademark, show and go on the outside to score. That was the end of the St Helens scoring, but by no means the end of the action, with Bryn Hargreaves
Bryn Hargreaves
Bryn Hargreaves is an English rugby league player with Super League team Bradford Bulls .Bryn Hargreaves played prop forward in the Wigan Academy since 2002. He made his first team debut from the subs' bench against Salford City Reds in July 2004 and his full debut against London Broncos in...
and Scott Moore
Scott Moore (rugby league)
Scott Moore is a rugby league footballer who plays for Widnes Vikings in the European Super League.Scott Moore was the youngest ever Super League player when he made his debut at the JJB Stadium aged only 16....
involved in a brawl with the Catalans forwards. Walker got his second with five minutes remaining, but the win was in the bag by the hour mark.
Round 4
St Helens vs Wakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
Preview:
The game will St Helens' talismanic skipper Keiron Cunningham return to the fold to make his 500th appearance in professional rugby, following the sudden death of his mother, Annie. However, winger Ade Gardner and centre Sia Soliola still miss out through rib and ankle injuries respectively. Also, second rowers Jon Wilkin and Chris Flannery will both miss the game with shoulder problems, therefore meaning Matty Ashurst will deputise for his first appearance of 2010.
St Helens 22-16 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
St Helens made it three consecutive wins with a hard fought if scrappy win over the in-form Wakefield. Despite a strong, assured start from the Drednaughts with tries from Daryl Millard
Daryl Millard
Daryl Millard is an Australian rugby league player of Fijian descent who currently plays for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the European Super League...
and young Dale Morton
Dale Morton
Dale Morton is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the Super League. He plays primarily as a centre but can play on the wings...
inside the first ten minutes, St Helens finally got going and got onto the scoreboard on 27 minutes with Jonny Lomax notching his third in four games. They continued to apply the pressure in the second half with scores from Kyle Eastmond, Francis Meli and Keiron Cunningham scoring on this landmark game for the hooker. Wakefield applied pressure late on with Millard getting his second, but St Helens held on for the win.
Acquisitions
| Acquisitions | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Signed from | When Signed | ||||||||
| Scott Moore Scott Moore (rugby league) Scott Moore is a rugby league footballer who plays for Widnes Vikings in the European Super League.Scott Moore was the youngest ever Super League player when he made his debut at the JJB Stadium aged only 16.... |
Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... (return from loan spell) |
October 2009 | ||||||||
| Iosia Soliola Iosia Soliola Iosia Soliola is a New Zealand international rugby league player currently playing for the St. Helens in the Super League. He is of Samoan descent.-Playing career:... |
Sydney Roosters Sydney Roosters The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League... |
May 2009 | ||||||||
| Nick Fozzard Nick Fozzard Nicholas Fozzard is an English rugby league footballer who is currently playing for Castleford Tigers of Super League.A , his previous clubs are St. Helens, Warrington, Huddersfield, Leeds and Hull KR, and has signed a 1-year deal with Castleford Tigers for the 2011 season.During his spell with St... |
Hull KR Hull Kingston Rovers Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006... |
September 2009 | ||||||||
| Jack Bradbury Jack Bradbury (rugby league) Jack Bradbury is a professional rugby league footballer who is in his first professional season with St. Helens in the European Super League. Primarily a centre, he signed for the St Helens Academy team after playing youth and amateur football for Saddleworth Rangers... |
Promoted from reserves | November 2009 | ||||||||
| Lee Gaskell Lee Gaskell Lee Gaskell is a professional rugby league player currently playing for St. Helens in the Super League. Signing from local amateur club Blackbrook Royals, Gaskell is primarily a stand-off half but can convert to the centres when required... |
Promoted from reserves | November 2009 | ||||||||
| Mid-season signings for 2011 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Signed from | When Signed | ||||||||
| Josh Perry Josh Perry Josh Perry is an Australian professional rugby league player for St Helens RLFC in the Super League competition... |
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia... |
June 2010 | ||||||||
| Michael Shenton Michael Shenton Michael Shenton , is an English professional rugby league footballer currently playing for St. Helens in the Super League. An England international representative , he previously played for the Castleford Tigers before moving to St... |
Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'... |
August 2010 | ||||||||
| Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook , is an English professional rugby league footballer for St Helens RLFC of Super League. An England international representative forward, he previously played for Harlequins in his home town of London.-Harlequins:McCarthy-Scarsbrook is a product of the Quins RL Junior... |
Harlequins Rugby League | September 2010 | ||||||||
Losses
| Losses | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Signed for | When left | ||||||||
| Sean Long Sean Long Sean Long is an English former professional rugby league and current rugby union footballer with Preston Grasshoppers. He has played for Wigan, Widnes and Hull but is best known for playing for St Helens in the Super League. Internationally he has represented England and Great Britain at /... |
Hull | February 2009 | ||||||||
| Lee Gilmour Lee Gilmour Lee Gilmour is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Huddersfield Giants of Super League.Gilmour's usual position is , but he has played on the and in the s when a back-line player suffered an injury.... |
Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... |
August 2009 | ||||||||
| Steve Tyrer Steve Tyrer Stephen Tyrer is a rugby league footballer who plays for the Widnes Vikings in the Championship he previously played for Salford City Reds in the Super League. Tyrer is a goal kicking centre or winger.... |
Salford City Reds Salford City Reds Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup... (loan) |
November 2009 | ||||||||
| Matty Smith Matty Smith Matty Smith is an English rugby league footballer who plays for Salford City Reds in the engage Super League, having spent the 2010 season on loan there from his parent club St... |
Salford City Reds Salford City Reds Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup... (loan) |
November 2009 | ||||||||
| Jason Cayless Jason Cayless Jason Paul Cayless is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative prop forward, he is the younger brother of Parramatta Eels great, Nathan Cayless. He played his club football for the Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2002... |
Wests Tigers Wests Tigers The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs... |
October 2009 | ||||||||
| Chris Dean Chris Dean Christopher David Dean born 17 January 1988 in Higher End, Wigan, Greater Manchester, is a rugby league player for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the engage Super League. Dean's position of choice is as in the but he can also operate as a or on the . Chris signed for St. Helens aged 15 from the... |
Widnes Vikings Widnes Vikings Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward... (dual registration) |
December 2009 | ||||||||
| Jacob Emmitt Jacob Emmitt Jacob Emmitt , is a professional rugby league footballer for Castleford Tigers of Super League. A Wales international representative prop, he spent the 2010 season on loan at Leigh Centurions.... |
Leigh Centurions Leigh Centurions Leigh Centurions is an English professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Greater Manchester who play in the Co-operative Championship.The club was founded in 1878 as Leigh Rugby Football Club and is one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in... (dual registration) |
February 2010 | ||||||||
| Mid-season losses for 2011 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Signed for | When left | ||||||||
| Maurie Fa'asavalu Maurie Fa'asavalu Maurie Fa'asavalu is a Samoan rugby union player who formerly played rugby league for St Helens. He was recently picked in the Great Britain rugby league squad after living in England for 4 years... |
Harlequin F.C. Harlequin F.C. The Harlequin Football Club is an English rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby, the Aviva Premiership. Their ground in London is Twickenham Stoop... |
July 2010 | ||||||||
| Matty Smith Matty Smith Matty Smith is an English rugby league footballer who plays for Salford City Reds in the engage Super League, having spent the 2010 season on loan there from his parent club St... |
Salford City Reds Salford City Reds Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup... |
July 2010 | ||||||||
| Bryn Hargreaves Bryn Hargreaves Bryn Hargreaves is an English rugby league player with Super League team Bradford Bulls .Bryn Hargreaves played prop forward in the Wigan Academy since 2002. He made his first team debut from the subs' bench against Salford City Reds in July 2004 and his full debut against London Broncos in... |
Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league.... |
September 2010 | ||||||||
| Steve Tyrer Steve Tyrer Stephen Tyrer is a rugby league footballer who plays for the Widnes Vikings in the Championship he previously played for Salford City Reds in the Super League. Tyrer is a goal kicking centre or winger.... |
Widnes Vikings Widnes Vikings Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward... |
September 2010 | ||||||||
| Nick Fozzard Nick Fozzard Nicholas Fozzard is an English rugby league footballer who is currently playing for Castleford Tigers of Super League.A , his previous clubs are St. Helens, Warrington, Huddersfield, Leeds and Hull KR, and has signed a 1-year deal with Castleford Tigers for the 2011 season.During his spell with St... |
Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'... |
September 2010 | ||||||||
| Jacob Emmitt Jacob Emmitt Jacob Emmitt , is a professional rugby league footballer for Castleford Tigers of Super League. A Wales international representative prop, he spent the 2010 season on loan at Leigh Centurions.... |
Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'... |
September 2010 | ||||||||