ANOTHER month of the season has been and gone, and we wouldn’t mind if April, May and all the other months bring us the amount of drama and tension that March has.
In a topsy-turvy year, the month has proved to be fantastic for some, and not so kind to others. Here are the six teams that have enjoyed and endured the month of March.
Winners
Warrington Wolves
Top of the league, boasting the league’s best attack and second sternest defence.
A defeat to Hull FC took the gloss of the month for the Wolves, but it has still been a successful period.
A memorable comeback victory over Salford and victory in France against Catalans came before a demolition of Castleford. They saved their best victory for last, defeating the flying Widnes Vikings to move them to the summit of the league.
It’s a big month ahead for the Wolves, with Tony Smith’s side taking on Wigan twice, St Helens, Widnes and Huddersfield.
Catalans Dragons
After an indifferent opening month, the Dragons have come back fighting in March.
Like Warrington, the Dragons have won four of their five league outings this month, including Easter victories over Salford and Castleford. Before that, they also beat Wakefield and Huddersfield, which sandwiched a narrow defeat to league leaders Warrington.
With the likes of Dave Taylor and Glenn Stewart continuing to impress, the Dragons look like they could become a real force in the months ahead.
Batley Bulldogs
The bandwagon keeps on rolling!
After an incredible start to the year, the Bulldogs have proved it was no fluke following an unbeaten month.
A memorable draw with Bradford was the highlight, but victories over fierce rivals Dewsbury in the Heavy Woolen derby, Workington and two thrillers against Whitehaven in league and cup rounded off a superb month for the top four chasing Bulldogs.
Losers
Huddersfield Giants
What has happened?
After being the most consistent team over the last few years, the Giants have endured a horrendous start to the season and are currently bottom of Super League with just one victory in eight matches.
A narrow defeat to Leeds moved them to the bottom of the league, although they leapfrogged Hull KR when they overcame them.
But three consecutive defeats to Catalans, Wakefield and Salford meant the Giants moved back to the bottom and four points behind the eighth-placed Red Devils.
Bradford Bulls
For Bradford to win just one in five matches in the second-tier is practically unthinkable, but a fact that represents their month.
They have, admittedly, drawn with pacesetters Batley and Leigh, but by the Bulls’ very high standards it just isn’t good enough.
They were dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Dewsbury and lost a third consecutive derby match against local rivals Halifax.
A month to forget for James Lowes.
Sheffield Eagles
It’s been so bad, head coach Mark Aston has apologised to the fans!
It should have been a month of celebration for the Eagles with Aston celebrating his 500th game in charge, but instead he has overseen a terrible month in which the Eagles have lost all four of their Championship matches.
Already four points off the top four, the Eagles have some major work to do.
