In the penultimate edition of our monthly “World Cup Watch” articles, we look at how our squad hopefuls in the women’s and wheelchair games performed over the last month.
Wales have named a 15-player wheelchair training squad, and ahead of their camp at the end of this month, many players have been in action.
Stuart Williams has had a good month with Edinburgh Giants, scoring two tries in the win over Sheffield Eagles and one in the victory over Hull FC. He also scored three tries over two days as Edinburgh faced London twice in the weekend away at York. Matthew Turner continues to shine for Wigan Warriors with 13 tries in the last four matches, four against Sheffield, one against Halifax Panthers, five against Hull and three at London Roosters. Mark Williams made one Super League appearance, scoring a try in Wigan’s win over Hull.
Jodie Boyd-Ward scored tries for Leeds Rhinos in their wins over London Roosters, Sheffield Eagles and Bradford Bulls. However, she couldn’t captain the Rhinos to a Challenge Cup win, as they lost the final to Halifax. Sid Ramsey was in the Sheffield side against Leeds, and in the loss to Edinburgh. His father Gareth Ramsey has been in action in Super League Reserves, scoring against Leeds.
North Wales Crusaders beat Midlands Hurricanes 42-34, in the latter’s only Championship game of the last month. Lee Sargent was in good form for Midlands with four tries and a goal, with Alan Caron contributing two tries. For Crusaders, Jonathan Gill was over for a hat-trick of tries with Fionn McCabe scoring once. They then went on to beat York then lose to Gravesend, Gill and McCabe both scoring try hat-tricks in the former. Martin Turner was in scoring action in both of those matches, with two tries and seven goals against York plus a try and goal against Gravesend. John Berriman was in the York side, and was also in action in the loss to Batley Bulldogs. Jess Booth played in the Conference North for Salford RLFC, scoring two tries in their loss to Widnes Vikings.
Cardiff Demons have had a mixed few weeks in the Women’s Championship. Following a 102-0 win over Salford, they suffered narrow defeats to the top two sides, London Broncos and Swinton Lionesses. Our international squad members were shining in all matches, with Zoe Heeley scoring seven tries in the first match to take her up 50 tries for the club, then one try against both London and Swinton. Frances Layton and Lucia Davies each got one try against both Salford and Swinton. Other try scorers against Salford were Leanne Burnell with four, Seren Gough-Walters with two and Olivia Williams with one. Amberley Ruck kicked a goal against London. Sara Jones scored a try against Swinton. Other Welsh internationals in action this month for Cardiff were Sioned Young, Rhi Parker, Ffion Jenkins, Katie Carr and Jasmine Gibbons.
London, with their Welsh quartet, enjoyed three wins in a row, with Emily Hughes scoring a try against Widnes Vikings. Kathryn Salter kicked four goals against Widnes and two against Cardiff. Ffion Lewis kicked one goal against Widnes, then six, plus a hat-trick of tries against Hull KR. Jade Mullen played in the last two matches.
In the Women’s Super League, Georgia Cussons scored a try for Huddersfield Giants in their win at Leigh Leopards, playing alongside Gracie Hobbs. Both also played in the victory over Barrow Raiders. Bethan Dainton and Carys Marsh both played for Wigan in their wins over St Helens and York Valkyrie.
