That was the decade that was - A look back at Super League in the 2010's (part 2)

In case you missed it, we have already covered 8 glorious moments of the last decade, from Bradford to Leeds. It’s time now to look at the latter 8 teams.

Leigh

8 June 2017 saw two historic rivals face each other once more. Leigh vs Wigan, the battle of the borough. Oh, and there was a General Election that day too, which paled into insignificance somewhat!

In the more important duel, Leigh beat Wigan 50-34, in an emphatic victory, with three late Wigan tries giving the scoreline a more respectable edge. That defeat moved Leigh off the bottom of the Super League table but more importantly gave them their first victory over Wigan since 1984.

Both of Leigh’s stays in Super League have only lasted one year, but this victory was a highlight of that year.

London

When London got promoted to Super League for 2019, we were told that they wouldn’t compete. Some suggested they wouldn’t win a game. That idea was put to bed in round 1!

London’s highlight of the decade was their run of form in early-summer 2019. They beat Wakefield, St Helens, Catalans and Hull KR consecutively, and for a short while, it seemed that they really could do the impossible and survive.

Despite taking the relegation battle to the final day, they ultimately could not beat the drop. But their 10 victories in 2019 was their highest in Super League since 2009 and would have kept them off the bottom in any other season. Most of all, they provided some wonderful memories for their loyal supporters.

Salford

Sky Sports viewers recently voted Gareth O’ Brien’s winning drop goal in the 2016 Million Pound Game as their rugby league moment of the decade at their 13^th best sporting moment of the decade. Whilst an incredible moment, our view is that it wasn’t Salford’s best of the decade!

🏆 Sports Moments of the Decade

No.1⃣3⃣:Gareth O'Brien kicks a decisive drop goal in extra time to win the Million Pound Game and relegate Hull KR

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) December 25, 2019

The reason is that the incredible survival of 2016 was just that – survival. In 2019, Salford thrived. Throughout the season they showed an ability to win impressively, against Catalans and Warrington away. As the season ended, they gained consistency.

That meant that they achieved their highest ever Super League finish (3^rd) and beat Castleford and Wigan convincingly to make the Grand Final. The sight of Lee Mossop crashing over the tryline to extend Salford into an unassailable semi final lead in front of 4,000 + Salford fans is a memory that will live forever.

They could not quite finish the job in the Grand Final but put up a brave effort. Whilst they’ve lost players for 2020, they go into the new decade with great optimism.

St Helens

As the final hooter sounded on the 2014 Grand Final, Paul Wellens sunk to his knees, beat his chest and let out a scream of relief. He then embraced James Roby. These two players were both part of five consecutive Grand Final defeats between 2007 and 2011. They knew the pain that the likes of Mark Percival, Alex Walmsley and Kyle Amor amongst others were not weighed down by.

In 2014, St Helens put that right, by defeating their rivals Wigan at Old Trafford. With a lengthy injury list and Lance Hohaia rendered incapacitate after 2 minutes, St Helens played 78 minutes of a Grand Final without a half back, adding to an already lengthy injury list.

For balance, Wigan were also hamstrung by Ben Flower’s red mist. It was not a pretty game, not a classic final, but St Helens got over the line to deliver their first piece of major silverware since 2008. The initial feeling of relief then replaced with celebration.

Wakefield

Wakefield never have an easy ride, do they? This decade has seen financial difficulties, new stadium stagnation, planned and aborted moves to Dewsbury and surviving relegation from Super League twice on the final day of the season.

The fact that they have now made it to 20 unbroken seasons in Super League is a credit to the club’s resolve.

Their highlight of the decade is consecutive 5^th placed finishes in 2017 and 2018. To achieve this with their relative lack of salary cap spend is commendable and shows how far determination and hard work can get you in sport.

The cruel irony for Wakefield was that, after their two 5^th placed finishes, the play offs were expanded from 4 to 5 teams the following year, and they suffered a crippling injury crisis, which plunged them into relegation danger.

Warrington

Warrington started the decade in style. They retained their Challenge Cup and won their third in four years in 2012. They also secured their first league leaders’ shield in 2011 and won it again in 2016. For the Wolves, the big one still remains elusive.

Warrington suffered some big game defeats between 2012 and 2018 and can count themselves unlucky not to have a couple of Super League championships and at least one other Challenge Cup success.

That’s why their 2019 Challenge Cup success must have been particularly sweet. They faced St Helens at Wembley having already lost to their rivals three times that season. They were given no hope.

Yet a disciplined, regimented performance supplemented by a precise kicking game and clinical finishing brought Warrington their first major trophy since 2012. And victory is always sweeter when you’re told you can’t do it.

This decade has seen Warrington win five trophies, which I suspect their fans would have taken in 2010. Will the 20’s finally be the decade that the Wolves roar to the big prize? 

Widnes

Widnes had some struggles back when they returned to Super League in 2012. Their high point of their 7-year stay was their start to the 2016 season.

They won 6 of their first 7 matches, including thumping home wins over Leeds and Hull FC and more impressively, a narrow away win over Wigan. At this point, it looked like we were witnessing something very special.

Sadly, it didn’t last and Widnes’ season derailed, although they still managed to make the Super 8’s to avoid an unwanted relegation battle.

Wigan

Wigan have won 4 Super League trophies, 2 Challenge Cups, 1 World Club Challenge and 1 League Leaders’ Shield this decade. So it’s a surprise to recall that the previous decade saw just one trophy – a solitary Challenge Cup.

At the start of 2010, Wigan hadn’t won a trophy in 8 years and hadn’t been champions in 12 years. This was the kind of dry spell that was unheard of at Wigan.

Enter Michael McGuire. He took over a side almost identical to the 2009 Brian Noble coached side and changed them from also-rans to Champions. He instilled an uncompromising, win-at-all-costs culture elements of which are still evident to this day.

Wigan faced St Helens in the 2010 Grand Final and were imperious. They were 16-0 up after 20 minutes and the game was over as a content, the match eventually finishing 22-10. Wigan have won many trophies since them, but it was this victory that sent them back to winner’s row and acted as the catalyst for what was to follow.

Thank you reading our club-by-club look back at the decade that was. There were a lot of moments to go through and tough decisions to make. Do you agree though? Any comments, feedback and pointing out of glaring omissions are always welcome!