Ian Golden, Barry Andrews and Andy Morgan review the weekend’s action in matches that featured Wales internationals and hopefuls. Pic: Cornwall Sports Media
In Betfred League One, Rob Massam scored the first of the eleven tries that helped North Wales Crusaders defeat London Skolars and reach the play-offs. Matt Ross featured for Skolars. Owen Restall got himself a try in Dewsbury Rams defeat to Doncaster, with Connor Davies also playing for the Rams. Jake Lloyd, George Mitchell, Harry Boots and Ewan Badham were all involved in Cornwall’s victory over Rochdale Hornets, with Mitchell getting his side’s second try. Kyle Huish came off the bench for Hornets. Sam Bowring came off the bench for Midlands Hurricanes as his side beat Oldham.
In the Betfred Championship, Matty Fozard helped keep Widnes Vikings play-off hopes alive as they beat Halifax Panthers by two points. Former rugby union player, How Worthington, made his Vikings debut from the bench. Worthington is also on trial at Leeds Rhinos. London Broncos made it three wins in a row as Dalton Grant went over for two tries in their comfortable win against Whitehaven. Caleb Aekins and Craig Kopczak both started for Featherstone Rovers as they maintained their stronghold on first place as they beat Keighley Cougars by 30. Ben Evans came off the bench in Barrow Raiders’ heavy loss to Toulouse Olympique in France.
Curtis Davies was part of the starting XIII for the Newcastle Thunder side that fell to a third defeat in a row, this time to York Knights. Wales captain Elliot Kear was part of the Batley Bulldogs side that were beaten heavily by Sheffield Eagles. Gavin Bennion, Mike Butt and Rhodri Lloyd were all starters for Swinton Lions’ loss against Bradford with Butt going over the try line in the second half.
Bradman Best scored twice in Newcastle Knights’ eighth win in a row and taking his season tally up to 13 tries. Former Wales international, Tyson Frizell also played a part in the demolition of Cronulla Sharks.
In the Betfred Super League, Luis Roberts was part of the Leeds Rhinos starting XIII but was unable to help his side to victory against Huddersfield Giants.
In the Reserve grade, Billy Walkley, Joe Coope-Franklin, Mason Phillips, Rhys Davies, Jake Lee, Charlie Glover and Fin Yates all played for Salford Red Devils reserves in the defeat to Hull KR reserves. London Broncos Academy lost at Wakefield Trinity, with Alex Banks, Dylan Morgan and Dafydd Morgan in the Broncos side.
In the final round of the NSW Cup regular season, Harry Hayes was over for a try for Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Reserves in their 32-22 loss at Blacktown Sea Eagles. Sam Hughes came off the bench for the Bulldogs.
London Broncos, with the help of Wales international Emily Hughes denied Cardiff Demons a third straight Women’s Super League South Grand Final win as they beat the Welsh side 22-10. It was a deserved win for the English capital side but two tries from Leanne Burnell, one of which was converted by Shaunni Davies gave them hope. Wales internationals Eleri Michael, Rosie Carr, Rhi Parker, Sara Jones, Lauren Aitken, Ffion Jones, Charley Mundy and Molly Reardon made up the starting line-up with Katie Carr and Joeann McGuire on the bench.