UK Elite Teams By Season : 2008

For 2008, the only change in teams participating was relegated Salford were replaced by promoted Castleford. There was anticipation this season with an increase to 14 teams in 2009 and licenses to be issued for a three year period. The matches were well supported by fans.

The League: St Helens won the competition with 43 points, just edging Leeds on 42 points. The French side Les Catalans finished third with 34 points. Newly promoted Castleford came bottom but the new three year license system saved them from a yo-yo situation they were getting into.

Challenge Cup: For the quarter finals, Leeds won at home over Wigan 23-16 and Hull FC defeated Bradford 22-16 away. Hull KR also lost at home, 18-24 to St Helens and Wakefield were far too good for Oldham 46-4 in front of their home fans.

In the semi finals St Helens overcame Leeds 23-16 and Hull FC were victorious 32-24 in their match with Wakefield. The final saw Saints take their second title of the year in their 28-18 Wembley triumph.

Finals: In the two elimination games Les Catalans won easily 46-8 over Warrington and Wigan saw off Bradford 30-14. The winners then played in another elimination game. Wigan were too strong for the French  based outfit, winning 50-24. The qualifying final was between St Helens and Leeds, with Saints going through to the final courtesy of a 38-10 victory.

The match to decide the other finalist had Leeds squeaking past Wigan 18-14. The Leeds turned it on to beat the form team of the season Saints 24-16, stopping them from taking the treble in the process for the second year in a row. Amazing.

In summary, St Helens was the most successful team with 56 points. They were tracked by Leeds throughout who ended up with 50 points. Wigan were well back on 32. Saints had won seven of the nine finals over these past three years and been the losing finalist in the two it missed out on. What a record.

	Rk	Team	Lge	Fnl	CC	Tot
	1	St Helens	20	16	20	56
	2	Leeds	18	20	12	50
	3	Wigan	14	12	6	32
	4	Catalans	16	8		24
	5	Bradford	12	4	6	22
	5	Hull FC	6		16	22
	7	Wakefield	9		12	21
	8	Hull KR	10		6	16
	9	Warrington	11	4		15
	10	London	8			8
	11	Huddersfield	7			7
	12	Oldham			6	6
	13	Castleford	5			5
		Total	136	64	84	284

For the 2007 season, please click here.
For the 2009 season, please click here.