Ian Golden looks back at the last few days for Welsh internationals and hopefuls in the elite game.
Men’s side captain Elliot Kear made a successful return from injury, helping Batley Bulldogs to a home win over Barrow Raiders in the Championship. There were clashes between Welsh stars in that division. Matty Fozard scored two tries with Rhodri Lloyd and Mike Butt each going over once as Widnes Vikings beat Dewsbury Rams. Owen Restall started for the Rams with Curtis Davies coming off the bench. There was also defeat for his twin brother Connor Davies, as his Halifax side lost at home to Caleb Aekins‘ Featherstone Rovers. In other games, Rhys Williams helped Swinton Lions to away win at Sheffield Eagles whilst Will Evans and Huw Worthington played for Whitehaven in their home defeat to Toulouse Olympique XIII.
In League One, Jude Ferreira scored two tries for Hunslet as they won away at Newcastle Thunder. Craig Kopczak‘s Oldham overcame North Wales Crusaders, who fielded Ben Evans.
Bradman Best scored a vital try for New South Wales as they beat Queensland 14-4 in Brisbane today (Wednesday) to give them the State of Origin title. It’s only the third time that the Blues have won the title in Brisbane when the series was level at 1-1 going into the match, having normally fallen due to the outstanding atmosphere at the stadium. The Welsh qualified player scored on 64 minutes when the game was level at 2-2. Within five minutes of Best’s try, the score was 14-2 and NSW shut up shop to prevent a fourth straight title for the Maroons.
In the men’s Super League, Gil Dudson‘s Salford Red Devils side lost at Catalans Dragons.
The Women’s Super League saw Carys Marsh return from injury to play for Wigan Warriors but they were edged out by St Helens in an exciting match shown live on Sky Sports. Bethan Dainton in action for Leeds Rhinos as they won at Warrington Wolves, Georgia Taylor‘s York Valkeyrie side overcame Ashlea Prescott‘s Featherstone Rovers, plus Gracie Hobbs was in the Huddersfield Giants side that lost at home to Barrow Raiders.
In the Wheelchair Super League on Saturday, Leeds Rhinos’ captain Jodie Boyd-Ward scored a hat-trick of tries as they edged out Scott Trigg-Turner’s London Broncos 44-40. Scott Trigg-Turner was in action for London, then on Sunday, he played two games for Torfaen Tigers in the WRL Invitational Development League. There were three games in that league on the day. Gary Preece scored five tries and seven goals as Hereford Harriers beat Torfaen in the opening game. Alan Caron crossed four times, whilst Torfaen posted a try and a drop-goal by Jamie Reynolds and a conversion and a drop-goal for Trigg-Turner. Torfaen were beaten by Argonauts in the second match with Reynolds landing a field-goal and Trigg-Turner converting his own try. Jamie’s father Jason Reynolds was also in action for Torfaen. Richard Carver posted a try for Argonauts. In the final game, Hereford lost to the Argonauts with Preece scoring a try and converting it himself. The Wheelchair Championship saw North Wales Crusaders lose for a second week in a row, going down 55-48 to Rochdale Hornets. Lucie Roberts posted a hat-trick of tries with Martin Turner and Harry Jones going over once. Mason Baker kicked eight goals and Jess Booth was also in action.
