Ian Golden reports from another week of good performances from our Welsh internationals and hopefuls. Pic: Paul Cowan. Mediapac Sports Photography
Cardiff Demons put in an outstanding performance to beat London Broncos 22-0 at home on Saturday. It was a big win that puts Cardiff slightly in pole position for the League Leaders’ Shield in the RFL Women’s Championship. Winning the Grand Final of this league is the first step on the road to promotion to Super League. Leanne Burnell led the way on Saturday with a hat-trick of tries, the second putting her on over 200 points for the club. Rhi Parker and Zoe Heeley also added scores with Charlie Mundy converting once. The Broncos didn’t field either of their Welsh stars, but there were plenty more international players in the Demons side, with Seren Gough-Walters, Meg Whittaker, Katie Carr, Jasmine Gibbons, Amy Price, Sara Jones, Ffion Jenkins and Lucia Davies contributing to the win.
In the Women’s Super League, Gracie Hobbs came off the bench to help Huddersfield Giants beat Ashlea Prescott‘s Featherstone Rovers. Carys Marsh did similar for Wigan Warriors as they clinched a good away win at York Valkyrie. In the men’s Super League, Gil Dudson played for Salford Red Devils in their loss at Huddersfield Giants, whilst in the Wheelchair Super League, Scott Trigg-Turner scored two tries for London Roosters as they beat Hull FC 44-42 away from home. Mark Williams played for Wigan Warriors in their defeat against Halifax Panthers. He also played in the reserve game between the two clubs beforehand, scoring a try and goal.
Hereford Harriers fielded primarily Welsh players in their 82-10 crushing of Widnes Vikings in the Wheelchair Championship. Six of their seven were Welsh qualified with all bar Libbie Sargent, already Welsh internationals. Libbie’s dad Paul Sargent and brother Lee Sargent were also playing with Lee scoring a try, but it was Gary Preece who was the star, scoring seven tries and kicking 11 goals. Wales head coach Alan Caron chipped in with a try with Alex Powell going over for a hat-trick.
In the RFL men’s Championship, there were plenty of match-ups between our Wales men’s players. Will Evans scored a try for Whitehaven as they edged out Swinton Lions 22-20 away from home. Huw Worthington came off the bench for Haven with Rhys Williams playing for Swinton. Mike Butt, Rhodri Lloyd and Matty Fozard helped Widnes Vikings to an away win at Halifax Panthers, for whom Connor Davies came on as a substitute. Elliot Kear‘s Batley Bulldogs beat Owen Restall‘s Dewsbury Rams. Featherstone Rovers, who fielded Caleb Aekins, lost at home to Doncaster.
In League One, Rob Massam ran in a try for North Wales Crusaders in their home defeat to Hunslet. Ben Evans was also in the Crusader side, with Jude Ferreira playing for Hunslet. Sam Bowring came off the bench for Midlands Hurricanes but his side lost a gritty match away at Rochdale Hornets, going down 14-10. Harry Boots and Jake Lloyd played in Cornwall’s loss at home to Workington Town, whilst Billy Walkley‘s Keighley Cougars side suffered a poor loss away at Oldham.
Harry Hayes made his NRL debut on the weekend, playing alongside fellow Welsh-qualified player Sam Hughes, but their Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs side lost 20-18 at North Queensland Cowboys. Following his heroics last week in State of Origin, Bradman Best doubled up and played for Newcastle Knights in their loss at home to Brisbane Broncos. In the NSW Cup, Hayden Barton came off the bench for Sydney Roosters Reserves in their defeat at South Sydney Rabbitohs.
