Sunday Social: Westerman makes headlines, Warrington and Saints deliver a classic, Parcell haunts his parent club
It is time for Love Rugby League’s Sunday Social, your alternative recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past seven days.
The Hull derby, a typically feisty and action-packed affair, made headlines across the World for a very difference reason this weekend. Hull FC’s Joe Westerman appeared to dislocate his knee with three minutes remaining, before knocking it back into place and joining the scrum. However, not even his determination could prevent the Black and Whites from falling to a second defeat of the season against the Robins.
They breed them tough in rugby league. Hull FC's Joe Westerman dislocates his knee before casually popping it back in himself.
Warning: This is not for the faint-hearted ??? (via @SuperLeague) pic.twitter.com/M5nNWgnKwm
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) June 27, 2019
Friday’s clash between Warrington and St Helens certainly lived up to the pre-match hype and proved to be the perfect advertisement for rugby league. In front of a near-capacity Halliwell Jones Stadium, Saints extended their lead at the top of the table, but certainly didn’t have it all their own way against the hosts’ fired-up forward pack.
WHAT A HIT ?
? Matty Lees meet Daryl Clark #SLWarStH pic.twitter.com/kqsDLWlqCe
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 28, 2019
There’s been plenty of player movement in the last few days and Leeds have proven to be very active, bringing in the likes of Robert Lui, Rhyse Martin and Shaun Lunt. Hooker Matt Parcell went in the other direction as part of the deal for Lunt, and the Australian produced a man-of-the-match performance to temporarily send his parent club two points adrift at the bottom of the league.
? Try on debut
? Betfred Man of the Match
? Derby win
? Off the bottom of Super LeagueA good day for @hullkrofficial new boy Matt Parcell #SLHKRHul pic.twitter.com/95mE3KvvE5
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 27, 2019
Wigan have picked up some real momentum of late. Friday’s win over Salford was their fourth in a row, and they are now right back in the play-off picture. Their rugby has been brilliant to watch recently and they certainly showed what they’re capable of as they moved up to fourth in the table.
4️⃣ wins from 4️⃣
? to 4️⃣th in the @SuperLeague table.
? We'll leave you with this beauty from @zakhardaker1, courtesy of an outstanding break and kick from @Jarrod_Sammut!
? You can watch the highlights from tonight's victory on Wigan TV ? https://t.co/o6XE96Ll3w pic.twitter.com/PSyNV7MWYx
— Wigan Warriors ?⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) June 28, 2019
Wakefield managed to end their run of six straight defeats with a win over Huddersfield on Friday. Jacob Miller’s acrobatic finish, plus a treble from Tyler Randell, moved Trinity six points clear of the drop and dragged the Giants right into the relegation mix.
? When you score a meat pie that seals the win….. pic.twitter.com/po7YYoN0aO
— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) June 28, 2019
And a final word for referee Robert Hicks following the Hull derby. Too often, we criticise referees for slowing games down and becoming too involved. Hicks did the opposite on Thursday night and was applauded by supporters and journalists-alike for the way he dealt with proceedings.
Probably get lost in the shuffle due to the enormity of the result, but I think Robert Hicks deserves some credit tonight. He's refereed the derby brilliantly. Let it flow, let the teams go at each other for 80 minutes. A cracking refereeing display (in my opinion!) #SLHKRHul
— Aaron Bower (@AaronBower) June 27, 2019