Ian Golden looks back at how our elite players fared last weekend.
The match of the weekend was in Caerphilly when Crusaders Celts edged out Cardiff Blue Dragons 41-40 in the WRL Wheelchair Invitational League. The match ended up as a battle between the two experienced internationals in Scott Trigg-Turner, Wales’ newly appointed co-captain, and Harry Jones. Both scored three tries, with Trigg-Turner’s four goals not enough for Cardiff. It was Jones’ drop-goal that was the difference in the end between the sides. Lee Sargent scored two tries and kicked two goals for Cardiff with his father Paul Sargent adding a try. Earlier in the day, Trigg-Turner had scored a try and Lee Sargent a try and two goals in their defeat to Argonauts. The Celts also lost to the Argonauts on Saturday despite Harry Jones scoring a try.
In the running game, and in League 1, Jude Ferreira continued his good form by scoring a try for Hunslet as they beat Cornwall, who fielded Harry Boots and Matt Ross. It was a rare match for Billy Walkley last weekend as he didn’t score a try, but still helped Keighley Cougars to a win over Craig Kopczak‘s Oldham.
Newcastle Thunder are still winless this season but against Rochdale Hornets last weekend, they only lost 24-18. George Birch was one of their stars. Ben Evans came off the bench for North Wales Crusaders as they lost 18-10 at Midlands Hurricanes.
Connor Davies helped Halifax Panthers to a much-needed win as they beat Doncaster. However, his twin brother Curtis Davies, along with Owen Restall were on the losing side with Dewsbury Rams at Sheffield Eagles. Caleb Aekins was a try scorer for Featherstone Rovers, but he couldn’t prevent defeat at Barrow Raiders. Huw Worthington made his first appearance of the season after signing for Whitehaven last week, but suffered a home defeat to Wakefield Trinity. Rhys Williams and Swinton Lions looked like they were cruising to a home win over York Knights, only for the visitors to score four tries in the last 12 minutes to clinch victory. Widnes Vikings lost out at Toulouse Olympique with Mike Butt on the scoresheet. Ant Walker, Matty Fozard and Rhodri Lloyd were also playing for Widnes.
In the Men’s Super League, Luis Roberts scored a try for Leeds Rhinos but couldn’t prevent defeat at St Helens, whilst Gil Dudson‘s Salford Red Devils lost at home to Wigan Warriors. In the Women’s Super League, Georgia Taylor helped York to an away with at Huddersfield Giants.
In the Women’s Championship South, Eleri Michael and Leanne Burnell each scored two tries as Cardiff Demons edged out The Army 38-34 on the opening day of the league season. Amy Price, Lucia Davies, Meg Whittaker and Ffion Jones also went over. Jones converted her own try with Shaunni Davies also added a couple of goals. All bar one of the rest of the players are in the Wales squad, competing for selection against the Netherlands, namely Bridget Jones, Sara Jones, Amy Price, Lauren Aitken, Hannah Jones, Sioned Young, Katie Carr, Charlie Mundy and Tara Finnegan.