Our weekly round-up of how our Welsh internationals and hopefuls performed in the elite leagues. Words: Ian Golden, Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Fin Yates, after making his Wales debut against Jamaica last year, played in Super League for the first time on Saturday when he starred for Salford Red Devils at St Helens. He became the first player to be developed by Cynon Valley Cavaliers to make a Super League appearance, having started with them as a 16-year old. Welsh-qualified player John Hutchings also made his debut in the same Salford side. Elsewhere in Super League, Denive Balmforth played for Hull FC in their win at Catalans Dragons.
Round one of the RFL Championship, Gil Dudson‘s Oldham were the star performers as they hammered York Knights 50-4. Widnes Vikings, starring Mike Butt, Matt Fozard, Rhodri Lloyd and Gavin Bennion had a good away win at Toulouse Olympique XIII, whilst Caleb Aekins starred for Featherstone Rovers as they beat Doncaster. Curtis Davies, Huw Worthington and Matt Ross were in the London Broncos side that lost at Bradford Bulls.
In the second round of the 1895 Cup, Billy Walkley helped Keighley Cougars to a 7-6 win over Midlands Hurricanes. However for other Welsh internationals, it was the end of their Wembley dream this year. Ant Walker‘s Swinton Lions narrowly lost at Rochdale Hornets, North Wales Crusaders, who fielded Ben Evans, lost at Goole Vikings, whilst Will Evans and Spencer Foulton were in the Workington Town side that lost at home to Dewsbury Rams.
Finally, in France’s Elite League, Max Clarke made his Carcassonne XIII debut in their 23-22 defeat at home to XIII Limoux.
