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It’s the weekend Super League fans have been waiting for, with St James’ Park hosting the seven-game Dacia Magic Weekend schedule. This year, the format features a Championship fixture. But here’s the pick of the contests from recent years.
Widnes Vikings vs St Helens
May 19, 2018, 2:45pm
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2007 – Bradford 38-42 Leeds
Cast your memory back to 2007 when the Magic Weekend was known as Millennium Magic. Leeds and Bradford walked out in Cardiff, ready to renew their Yorkshire rivalries, a long way from home.
What happened next went down in Super League folklore. The two sides shared 13 tries, Michael Platt scoring twice for the Bulls and Brent Webb grabbing a hat-trick for the Rhinos, but the final minute sticks out.
With Bradford leading 38-36, referee Steve Ganson awarded a penalty to Leeds for offside. Kevin Sinfield lined up 40 metres out on the left touchline and then let fly.
The kick looked good but hit the bar before Jordan Tansey followed up to touch down. Despite Tansey being in front of the kicker, the four-pointer was awarded. Cue pandemonium, and a memorable cartwheel celebration from Sinfield.
2008 – Huddersfield 34-36 Warrington
The 2008 Magic Weekend saw another 70 plus point thriller, only this time it was Huddersfield and Warrington who sharing a classic opening.
The Wolves looked set for a fifth straight Super League defeat after finding themselves 22-6 down at half-time thanks to Huddersfield tries from Michael Lawrence, Luke Robinson, Andy Raleigh and Rod Jensen.
After the break, Jensen could have put his side further in front, but dropped the ball with the line beckoning. But four tries in 18 minutes, from Stuart Reardon, Lee Briers and two from Andy Bracek left Warrington in front before another fine individual Briers’ effort earned Wolves the spoils.
2010 – Leeds 34-30 Wakefield
A move to Edinburgh brought seeded games for the Magic Weekend, but that didn’t stop West Yorkshire rivals Leeds and Wakefield serving up a Murrayfield epic in 2010.
John Kear’s side took a chilly Scotland by storm and they certainly caught Leeds cold in the first half. Ben Jeffries and Damien Blanch went over early on, before a host of errors from Leeds allowed Wakefield to take a commanding 28-10 lead.
Leeds struck a late first-half blow through Ryan Hall who crossed in the corner before Chris Clarkson scored just after break. Despite a Jeffries’ penalty, Leeds took control, Ryan Hall going over for his second to further close the gap.
With just two minutes left on the clock, Keith Senior’s break allowed Brent Webb to send over veteran Aussie Danny Buderus for the match-winning score.
2011 – St Helens 16-16 Wigan
Back to Cardiff for the 2011 version and one of rugby league’s tastiest derbies finally delivered a Magic Weekend classic. But it didn’t look that way with 65 minutes gone.
Wigan stormed into a 16-0 lead, with debutant Ryan Hoffman, Harrison Hansen and then George Carmont all going over. But the Saints, having had several tries disallowed, struck back.
Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves
May 19, 2018, 5:15pm
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Jon Wilkin started the recovery, powering over from close range before Tony Puletua crossed soon after. And when Francis Meli went over in the corner, Jamie Foster had the chance to win it but pulled his conversion wide.
Both sides threatened a dollop of late drama with Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond missing late drop goals to leave the contest all square.
2011 – Bradford 28-32 Leeds
Any fan who stayed for both days in 2011 certainly got value for money. After the Lancashire ding-dong on Saturday, it was Leeds and Bradford’s turn in Sunday’s closer.
With previous Magic Weekend history between the pair, they added another chapter. Mick Potter’s side put in a terrific performance, building a 28-10 lead thanks to Elliott Whitehead’s hat-trick.
Castleford Tigers vs Leeds Rhinos
May 19, 2018, 7:15pm
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But Leeds, in what was now their customary Magic Weekend comeback, rallied and upped the tempo. Ben Jones-Bishop scored his second while Kylie Leuluai and Rob Burrow also scored.
With Bradford leading 28-26, there was still another twist to come. Two minutes left and Jones-Bishop raced down the wing, sensing a hat-trick opportunity. He fly-hacked through, only to be pulled back by opposite number Gareth Raynor.
The decision went upstairs and Richard Silverwood took an age to settle the game. But T-R-Y it was and not for the first time Leeds snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
2012 – Hull FC 30-32 Hull KR
The Hull derby is a regular Magic Weekend highlight, with the two sides playing out some memorable matches and 2012, brought a truly classic Humberside battle in Manchester.
A tight first-half left the Airlie Birds leading 18-12 with Brett Seymour, Richard Horne and Willie Manu going in for the black-and-whites, while Craig Hall and Shannon McDonnell went over for the Robins.
Hull FC extended that lead after the break, Tony Martin crashing over and when Jordan Turner collected Seymour’s kick, the job seemed complete.
But Hull KR weren’t in the mood for rolling over as Sam Latus went over first, before Michael Dobson’s converted try left them within two points.
But with seconds remaining David Hodgson got the ball on his own 30, beat two defenders and raced clear, sending the red-and-white faithful into delirium while FC set off on a miserable trip back up the M62.
2012 – Huddersfield 34-38 Salford
After the dramatic Saturday, a few of the more bleary-eyed supporters were treated to a 13-try belter from Huddersfield and Salford, the perfect Sunday hangover cure.
Salford hadn’t won in six Super League games, but they edged a bruising first-half 22-16, thanks to a Joel Moon double and scores from Sean Gleeson and Jodie Broughton.
Two close-range tries from Eorl Crabtree ensured the Giants hit the front but another Broughton effort and a double from Adam Sidlow gave Salford that 38-34 lead.
Late on, Jason Chan broke the line and went clear for the Giants, but his pass went loose and Salford could finally celebrate a memorable victory.
Toronto Wolfpack vs Toulouse
May 19, 2018, 12:30pm
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2013 – Hull FC 22-16 Hull KR
Back in Manchester for 2013 and the Hull fans were hoping for a more relaxed day out than the year before. But nobody could prepare them for what was to come.
Hull KR led 10-6 at the break, Greg Eden and Craig Hall cancelling out Richard Whiting’s score and with eight minutes left, Rovers led by 10.
A Michael Dobson penalty and an Alex Brown score seemed to have secured the win, but this time it was Hull FC who mustered the comeback.
Tom Lineham was first to cross before Kirk Yeaman went over for a try, eventually approved by the video referee. Daniel Holdsworth had the chance to win it with the conversion, but he fired wide and a draw seemed the likely result.
But Holdsworth then had a say in the game’s defining moment after his high ball was misjudged by Eden. Chris Green collected on the bounce and dived over gleefully, and despite replays showing he was offside, the try was awarded, ensuring Hull FC’s revenge was complete.
2016 – Wakefield 25-24 Catalans
An in-form Catalans looked like blowing away Wakefield at one point, they led 14-0 thanks to tries from Justin Horo, Jodie Broughton and Tony Gigot.
But Wakefield had other ideas, fighting back thanks to Ben Jones-Bishop’s double, before Michael Sio crossed. Vincent Duport and Broughton again edged Catalans ahead before a score from Mickael Simon levelled it up.
Pat Richards had the chance to win the game for the Dragons, but missed with a penalty. And Wakefield made them pay. In some style. With the clock ticking down, Jacob Miller banged over a drop goal from fully 50 metres to nail a one-point win.
2017 – Wigan 24-24 Warrington
The Warriors’ Liam Marshall grabbed the headlines, crossing for a hat-trick as his side built an 18-6 lead, but Warrington looked like stealing their thunder. Stefan Ratchford, Tom Lineham and Jack Hughes all went over as the Wolves edged ahead.
But Wigan weren’t to be denied. Sean O’Loughlin’s high kick was collected by Joe Burgess who touched down to level the scores. A chance for George Williams to secure the two points, but he missed the conversion, ensuring the game finished a draw.
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