Ian Golden and Harry Jones round up last weekend’s action from our Welsh international and hopefuls. Pic: John Victor Sports Photography
Jodie Boyd-Ward scored a last minute try for Leeds Rhinos against Halifax to secure Leeds the Wheelchair Super League League Leaders’ Shield for the fifth time in five seasons, with two games to go in this year’s campaign. They won 56-54 with Boyd-Ward’s try levelling things before the conversion was kicked.
In the Championship West, Hereford Harriers made the trip up to Warrington Wolves and despite missing some of their international players, they still kept their unbeaten record, winning 42-38. Alex Powell and Wales coach Alan Caron were the Harriers’ only Welsh international players. Powell having a breakout game as he crossed for a hat-trick whilst Caron crossed for a solitary try. North Wales Crusaders remain second in the league after beating Widnes Vikings. Stuart Williams, Mason Baker and Martin Turner all started for the Welsh side. Williams managing five tries, Turner scoring two tries and five conversions and Baker crossing for a singular try and kicking two conversions. Jess Booth came off the bench to cross for a try.
Bethan Dainton scored two tries in three minutes for Leeds Rhinos as they beat Wigan Warriors in the Women’s Super League. Carys Marsh was in the Wigan side. Two other Wales players were up against each other, with Georgia Taylor starring for York Valkyrie as they beat Gracie Hobbs‘ Huddersfield Giants. Ashlea Prescott was in the Featherstone Rovers side as they lost at St Helens.
In the men’s Super League, Gil Dudson came off the bench to star for Salford Red Devils as they were level with St Helens after 80 minutes, only to lose by golden point. In the NRL, Sam Hughes and Harry Hayes were part of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs side who had a good away win at St. George Illawarra Dragons.
Halifax Panthers made it three wins out of three in their bid to get clear of the RFL Championship relegation zone. Connor Davies started for Halifax as they beat Max Clarke‘s Barrow Raiders. Bailey Antrobus helped York Knights to a big win over Dewsbury Rams. Mike Butt was in the Widnes Vikings side as they went down at home, losing 8-0 to Featherstone Rovers. Swinton Lions lost away at Batley Bulldogs with Rhys Williams in the Swinton side. Will Evans‘ Whitehaven lost at Bradford Bulls.
Keighley Cougars continued their challenge for the automatic promotion space in League 1, Billy Walkley starring as they beat North Wales Crusaders in Colwyn Bay. Rob Massam and Ben Evans were in the Crusaders side. Also in League 1, Craig Kopczak scored a try for Oldham as they beat Newcastle Thunder, Sam Bowring started as prop for Midlands Hurricanes as they beat Workington Town to leapfrog over them in the table, whilst Jude Ferreira helped Hunslet to a close win in Cornwall, who fielded Matt Ross and Jake Lloyd.
Finally, there was a Physical Disability Rugby League festival in Wigan over the weekend, with Dylan Hughes and Chris Young playing for Leeds Rhinos and Jon Tranter in the Wigan side.
