Why golden point offers no real attraction for Super League

If only I had gone a little further along Clive Sullivan Way and done the extra three miles to Hull KR, I would have seen their remarkable 23-22 victory over Warrington Wolves. It is not always the easiest task selecting which fixture to pick. Some are no-brainers like the Hull derby, for instance, or Leeds v Wigan, while, if there are two Yorkshire clubs involved, that often holds sway, too, given our readership. But there are times when it all becomes a little tougher. Take last Sunday for example when Hull FC entertained St Helens and Rovers hosted Warrington. What to do? Sometimes I will adopt an elaborate aggregate score system by looking at the league table, the least number of position placings combined deciding the victor. That is why Wakefield (11) v London (13) never stood a chance and, likewise, Widnes (14) v Huddersfield (4), although, as it happens, a significant story emerged at the Chemics as Super League’s bottom club further eroded the Giants’ title challenge thus proving there is as many holes in my theory as currently in Huddersfield’s defence. Regardless, by this skilled mathematical notion, I should, indeed, have been at Craven Park. Hull KR (8th) v Warrington (2nd) tots up to 10 points narrowly beating Hull FC (5th) v Saints (6th) which awarded 11. When the margins are so fine, though, I allow myself to apply that other deeply cerebral scientific tool – gut feeling. Or instinct. Perhaps the way your water feels. Call it what you will. And so, I figured, that Hull and Saints, each coming in off the back of Magic Weekend defeats against bitter derby rivals, would both be desperate for success and conjure up more of a contest. Rovers, after the elation of their last-gasp victory in Manchester, would perhaps struggle to muster the energy to thwart a dynamic Warrington outfit. When it emerged Hull KR’s talisman Blake Green was a late omission and Warrington surged into an 18-0 lead it looked like my system was fool-proof after all. Wrong again. That said, I have failed to mention the game I did attend was as fascinating and compelling – though not for quality reasons – as any I have seen this season. Saints, following a brilliant defensive effort, slotted a last-minute penalty to deny Hull a victory for the second week running. All of which brings me to the gist... and the controversial golden point debate. Thankfully, for once, the sport here has not reverently followed the NRL and adopted its stance – in use since 2003 – of having drawn league games decided by golden point extra-time. Let us hope that continues. Many Australians argue that their policy brings added excitement to the game but anyone at Craven Park or KC Stadium last weekend will counter their fixtures had already produced plenty of that. After slogging it out for 80 minutes and – trust me, Saints had to amid torrential Hull pressure – it would have been unfair on either side to force extra-time upon them. There is nothing wrong with two points being shared and, even the most hard-hearted fan would admit neither side deserved to come away with nothing from west Hull. Invariably, NRL drawn games just descend into two tired teams each desperately trying to muster enough energy to drop a goal. That does little to enhance the sport for the spectator and becomes an unnecessary lottery. Far from satisfactory. Across the city, meanwhile, Dobson’s mastery of that skill ensured there was a victor and, in 110 Super League games so far this season, there have only been four draws anyway so let us just stay with the status quo. I am away this weekend, too, so no worries about deciding between Saints v Bradford and Warrington v Leeds. That is an aggregate of 14 v 11, by the way. Tricky points indeed.