ATTENDANCES are always a focal point for a rugby league fan during a season.
And whilst it has currently been the off-season, attendance numbers are still being racked up in pre-season friendlies.
On Friday, Widnes Vikings travelled to St Helens for Mark Percival’s testimonial, but Saints just about managed to get over the line in a 16-12 win as preparation for the Merseyside club’s World Club Challenge in Australia in February.
Then all eyes were on Sunday as Wakefield Trinity hosted a Featherstone Rovers side that had been buoyed by two great pre-season results against Super League sides Castleford Tigers and Hull KR. This time, however, Rovers fell to a 24-12 defeat.
Bradford Bulls were also unable to get one over on their Super League opponents Leeds Rhinos who ran out 24-10 winners in the end at Headingley.
Salford Red Devils just about overcame Championship side Swinton Lions at the AJ Bell Stadium with a 26-22 win, but Hunslet couldn’t get over the line against the Batley Bulldogs in a 20-12 entertaining clash at the South Leeds Stadium.
A youthful Wigan Warriors travelled up to Cumbria to take on Barrow Raiders, but Matt Peet’s side couldn’t inflict defeat at Craven Park, with the Raiders running out 26-14 winners.
Looking at the attendance side of things, there were some impressive numbers posted despite the cold conditions and the current cost of living crisis.
Here they are.
St Helens 16-12 Widnes Vikings
5,768 at the Totally Wicked Stadium
Wakefield Trinity 24-12 Featherstone Rovers
1,909 at Belle Vue
Leeds Rhinos 24-10 Bradford Bulls
4,448 at Headingley
Salford Red Devils 26-22 Swinton Lions
1,807 at the AJ Bell Stadium
Barrow Raiders 26-14 Wigan Warriors
2,306 at Craven Park
Hunslet 12-20 Batley Bulldogs
628 at the South Leeds Stadium
Whitehaven 4-38 Castleford Tigers
910 at the LEL Arena
Sheffield Eagles 36-24 Doncaster
721 at the Olympic Legacy Park
