Ian Golden and Barry Andrews review the weekend’s action in matches that featured Wales internationals and hopefuls. Pic: SW Pix

It was a magnificent day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, where two of our Welsh internationals competed in Cup Finals. Sadly they both fell short of winning a winner’s medal, but both impressed with their performances.

Men’s side captain Elliot Kear scored one of the greatest Wembley tries, as he starred for Batley Bulldogs in the 1895 Cup Final but was unfortunately on the losing side as Halifax Panthers won by two points. The winger went over in the corner as the Bulldogs had kept the ball alive after the hooter had sounded.

In the Women’s Challenge Cup Final, Wales dual-code international Bethan Dainton starred for Leeds as they went up against favourites St Helens. It ended 22-8 to Saints, Dainton didn’t get over the line but once again impressed with her hard-working attitude.

Onto Sunday, and keeping with the women’s game, Cardiff Demons easily saw off Bedford Tigers 74-8 in the Super League South semi-final in Cardiff. Captain Leanne Burnell racked up over half of the points, her six tries and eight goals equalling 40 points. Fellow Wales international Eleri Michael went over for a hat-trick of tries whilst Wales squad member and former Bedford player Ashlea Prescott got a brace. Ffion Jones, Sioned Young and Molly Reardon also scored tries with Shaunni Davies adding a goal. Other Wales international players and squad members to star were Rosie Carr, Rhi Parker, Sara Jones, Amy Price, Katie Carr, Charlie Mundy, Lauren Aitken, Ffion Jenkins, Kim Boaler, Chelcey Greasley and Joeann McGuire.

Friday Night Lights at London Skolars is always part of Challenge Cup Final weekend and Matt Ross was part of the Skolars starting XIII but was unable to help his side in a heavy defeat to Doncaster in the League 1 game.

In the NRL, Tyson Frizell started for Newcastle Knights in their demolition of Canterbury Bulldogs. The Knights scored seven tries to one in a 42-6 victory. Sam Hughes was in action for the Bulldogs’ reserves but he couldn’t prevent defeat in the curtain raiser to the NRL game at the Knights.