It has been headlined as 'Magic Weekend', but Leeds Rhinos' fans had little to enthuse about on day one of Super League's Newcastle showcase. Their disappointing defeat to Wigan Warriors reduced their advantage at the top of the league to a slender 2 points over their conquerors. With two other matches on a frenetic day of top class Rugby league action in the north-east, there were encouraging victories for Hull FC in their derby against Hull KR, and also for Widnes Vikings over Salford Red Devils.
Leeds Rhinos 12 - 27 Wigan Warriors (half-time 12-14)
More than 40,000 fans were packed into St James' Park by the time of the final match.
They saw the Rhinos' poor recent league form over the last month continue against a Warriors' side smarting after a heavy defeat at Catalans Dragons last time out.
The game remained close during the first half. Tries for Leeds by Adam Cuthbertson and Joel Moon had put the league leaders in front, after Dan Sarginson had scored the opening try for Wigan. Wigan responded to lead at half-time, as George Williams scored in the corner and Joe Burgess showed fleet of foot to score his 16th try of the season.
It was a different story after the interval though, with the Warriors 'blanking' their opponents in the second period to run out confident winners. A brace of tries for Matty Bowen stretched their advantage, with goals from Matty Smith sealing Leeds' fate.
A drop goal from Smith put the result well beyond the Rhinos by the end.
Hull FC 46 - 20 Hull Kingston Rovers (half-time 22-12)
A richly entertaining derby resulted in Hull FC taking a modicum of revenge for their defeat to Hull KR last month. It rained tries throughout with Hull outscoring their rivals by eight to four and being the dominant side during the contest.
Fetuli Talanoa helped himself to a hat-trick, with Kirk Yeaman not far behind with a brace of tries for himself, as he moved beyond the 150 try mark for Hull. Gareth Ellis, Aussie Mark Minichiello and Jordan Rankin all added tries for Hull, as kicker Marc Sneyd was rewarded for his classy display with seven goals.
Rovers continued to keep the game bubbling along nicely, with Josh Mantellato and Kieran Dixon contributing two tries apiece to the rich fare, despite their side being commonly on the back foot during the encounter.
Salford Red Devils 16 - 38 Widnes Vikings (half-time 4-20)
Salford have just Wakefield below them in the table, after defeat against Widnes in the 'Magic Weekend' opener brought up their seventh consecutive reversal. Their chances were not helped by the sending off of Darrell Griffin for a high shot on Matt Whitley on the stroke of half-time, nor one suspects by their suspended playmaker Rangi Chase not being available for selection.
Kevin Brown's hat-trick of tries inspired Widnes to their victory. A brace of scores from Patrick Ah Van, plus a try apiece from Danny Galea and Stefan Marsh completed their seven try haul.
With just twelve men on the field for the second half, Salford battled on gamely to score three tries on the day.
Cory Paterson had opened the scoring, but they were well beaten in the end as Greg Johnson and Ben Jones-Bishop completed their try scorers.
Darrell, Josh and George Griffin all played for Salford, despite the death of their father earlier this week. There was a minute's silence before the kick-off in his memory, as the rugby league family embraced the brothers in their time of grief.