Warrington and Wigan deliver new challenge to Yorkshire's elite clubs

IT IS an alien sight at the halfway stage of this or any season and enough to cause some alarm among Yorkshire rugby league fans.

As the political world is reshaped following the formation of a coalition government, is the emergence of Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves alongside the consistent force of St Helens representing a similar shift in power at the top of Super League?

The absence of the previously omnipresent Leeds, allied to Huddersfield's faltering charge and Hull FC's continuing injury torment, has left some wondering where, if any, Yorkshire's bid will come from.

With the top three also thriving in the Carnegie Challenge Cup, there is real potential the white rose county could end trophyless for the first time in the summer era.

Leeds and Bradford Bulls have won six of the last seven Grand Finals but, while acknowledging the increasing competitiveness provided from across the Pennines, leading figures in the sport yesterday insisted it is not the start of a major switch in direction.

Reigning champions Leeds, down in seventh place, could fall nine points behind Warrington if they lose against Tony Smith's side tomorrow night.

Warrington, level with

St Helens and just trailing the resurgent Wigan, are finally looking capable of delivering after years of heavy investment but under-achievement.

After winning the Challenge Cup last year, they have high hopes of going on and making a first appearance at Old Trafford.

However, Smith, who led Leeds to two Super League titles, is wary of believing the pendulum has swung.

"It's too early to say," he said.

"Maybe it could be said at the end of the season but there's been an increase in standards across the board and that's more the issue."

Bradford themselves are enjoying improved fortunes this season, still involved in both races for silverware.

Smith added: "It's making it more difficult to win on a more consistent basis and every team will go through its highs and lows.

"We're striving for success and hopefully we will achieve it but the whole idea of the salary cap is to make it more difficult to have a monopoly like sides have in the past."

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington knows the champions' three-year hold on the title is under threat and concedes the top triumvirate to the west are currently leading the way.

"For the first half of the season that has been the case," he said.

"Whether it stays like that remains to be seen.

"We've had some good times year on year and we're hoping to get some more but we recognise every game we play is a battle.

"When teams get on a roll and injury-free it's inevitable they will string wins together. But it is a long season and clubs can come good. It could be at the start of the season or the end."

Traditional giants Wigan have not won a Grand Final since the inaugural affair in 1998 but have begun in formidable fashion.

Losing just twice so far, they have garnered a belief this could be the season their long-suffering frustration is finally dissipated.

Like Warrington, they have financial muscle, an excellent support base, big-name players alongside improving youngsters, and are playing out of a modern stadium.

Everything is in place for these two sides, in particular, to launch a bid at achieving sustained success.

Players agent David Howes said: "You can't deny it looks like things are swinging to that side of the Pennines while a lot of Yorkshire clubs are re-building.

"Wigan and Warrington especially are putting all the groundwork into keeping their momentum going and each has the potential to go on and form a dynasty of their own like Leeds did. But so far they've only done it for half a season.

"Huddersfield and Hull KR finished third and fourth last year and enjoyed that but it's what you do the following season that counts.

"There is a new level of expectancy and the mental pressure that brings on a club is another barrrier to go through.

"That's the challenge. Leeds and Saints have been at the top for a number of years but Wigan and Warrington have still got to come through and show longevity."

Castleford coach Terry Matterson accepts his club needs a new stadium to start competing at the same levels financially with the likes of Wigan and Warrington but is loathe to suggest they will dominate in years to come.

"Out of the Yorkshire clubs, none of Wakefield, Castleford or Bradford are spending up to the cap and that's a big thing," he said.

"We're probably four or five players short of Leeds and Huddersfield and the Easter period hurts the likes of us.

"The results of Wigan, Saints and Warrington over that Easter period shows how they can handle it better because of their squad strength. But it's going to be real difficult for one team to dominate and, despite the table now, I think any one of five clubs – Leeds, Saints, Warrington, Wigan and Huddersfield – can have a go at both competitions."

Is Yorkshire's grip slipping?

n The last 'non-Yorkshire' Grand Final was in 2000 when St Helens beat Wigan. Since then, White Rose clubs have dominated:

2001: Bradford bt Wigan;

2002: St Helens bt Bradford;

2003: Bradford bt Wigan;

2004: Leeds bt Bradford;

2005: Bradford bt Leeds;

2006: St Helens bt Hull FC;

2007: Leeds bt St Helens;

2008: Leeds bt St Helens;

2009: Leeds bt St Helens;

Last season's Super League table was dominated by Yorkshire clubs.

2009 final table

Pld Pts

Leeds 27 42

St Helens 27 38

Huddersfield 27 36

Hull KR 27 36

Wakefield 27 32

But things are different today.

2010 table so far

Pld Pts

Wigan 13 22

Warrington 13 20

St Helens 13 20

Huddersfield 13 16

Bradford 13 15