Why is the (so called) gap so big now ?
Part of it is maybe, that when there was PROMOTION & RELEGATION, the likes of Leigh, Whitehaven, Widnes, Salford, Hull KR, Cas, Wakefield had full time squads, or some of the players were.
Some Promoted clubs 1st season in SL stats:
(1999) Wakefield Wildcats...20 points 11th/14 clubs
(2002) Widnes Vikings....29 points 7th/12 clubs
(2003) Huddersfield Giants....23 points 10th/12 clubs
(2004) SalfordCity Reds ...16 points 9th/12 clubs
(2006) Castleford Tigers ...19 points 11th/12 clubs (but relegated to protect Catalan Dragons !!)
(2007) Hull KR ....20 points 11th/12 clubs
NOT EVERY SIDE DID A LEIGH CENTURIONS SUPER LEAGUE 2005 CAMPAIGN !!! 