Phil Hodgson

3 days ago | totalrl.com | Phil Hodgson

IS Rugby League in this country facing an existential crisis? The answer could be ‘yes’ – and on several fronts. Perhaps the most important issue is one that, judging by a missive received from the Rugby Football League last week, is largely self-inflicted in the sense that it’s created by people who are very much involved in the sport and who, in many cases, would probably claim to love it. It’s the issue of abuse of referees, at all age levels.

4 days ago | totalrl.com | Phil Hodgson

THE Rugby Football League, which has become increasingly concerned by the rising number of cases of abuse of match officials at the grassroots, has fired its strongest warning yet that standards of behaviour must improve. As part of its message to clubs as a whole, the RFL has stressed that:• Respect for match officials is non-negotiable. • Clubs must take immediate steps to improve discipline across all age groups and formats.

4 days ago | totalrl.com | Phil Hodgson

THE 2025 President’s Cup reaches its second stage on Wednesday (14 May) when Great Britain Teachers and UK Armed Forces face off. GB Teachers, who were beaten 26-16 by holders England Universities a couple of weeks ago, must prevail by eleven points or more to have any chance of finishing at the top of the three-team table.

6 days ago | totalrl.com | Phil Hodgson

A PENALTY-goal landed from 25 metres out on 51 minutes by Jack Townend, which had been awarded for a high tackle, proved to be the match-winner in the clash of leaders WEST HULL and last season’s runners-up SIDDAL. There was no further score in a game in which Wests owed their 12-10 victory as much to titanic defence as to Townend’s accuracy with the boot. The Halifax outfit, however, did manage to breach that defence twice.

6 days ago | totalrl.com | Phil Hodgson

RELEGATION-haunted WOOLSTON gave their survival hopes a boost with a sensational 34-32 win over second-placed HEWORTH. Rovers, who led 10-0 in the early stages, trailed 32-22 with ten minutes left but took the spoils with tries by Ben Dixon and, with a 70-metre interception, Sean Kelly, with Ryan Brown landing the last two of his five goals, including the winner from close to the touchline.