Ian Golden and Barry Andrews review the weekend’s action in matches that featured Wales internationals and hopefuls. Pic: Paul Brookes
Rob Massam found himself going over the line but unfortunately was part of the losing North Wales Crusaders side in a thriller against Cornwall which finished 40-34. The Cornwall side included Ewan Badham, Ieuan Badham, Jake Lloyd and Harry Boots, who opened the scoring in a thrilling contest. Also in League 1, Owen Restall and Connor Davies suffered their first league defeat with the Dewsbury Rams as Hunslet won the battle of the top two by the narrowest of margins. Midlands Hurricanes included Sam Bowring in the starting XIII in their defeat away to Rochdale Hornets. Bowring did find himself going over the try line but only as a consolation.
Caleb Aekins was part of the Featherstone Rovers starting XIII which confirmed a Championship play-off spot with seven games to go after beating Batley Bulldogs. Newcastle Thunder – who included Curtis Davies – gave themselves a chance of staying up after beating fellow strugglers Swinton Lions, who featured Rhodri Lloyd, Gav Bennion and Mike Butt, who scored his 100th Lions try. Matty Fozard and Anthony Walker were part of the Widnes Vikings side that won their third game in a row as they beat Whitehaven. Josh Ralph got himself a try in a thumping 64-0 victory for Toulouse over Keighley Cougars.
Bradman Best and Tyson Frizell both started as Newcastle Knights extended their winning run to four games in the NRL. The Knights ran out comfortable 28-6 winners against the Canberra Raiders
Gil Dudson made an appearance off the bench for Betfred Super League side Warrington Wolves in their heavy defeat to Wakefield Trinity. In the Super League Academy, Dafydd Morgan, Dylan Morgan and Alex Banks all made their London Broncos debut, with George Birch also in the London side as they went down to Wigan Warriors in Richmond.
🏉 TRY TIME!
🍒 @WiganWarriors extend their lead to 12-0 via Mark Williams…@TheRFL | @WheelchairRL pic.twitter.com/GS8xorlxHn
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) July 30, 2023
The last of four “Magic Rounds” in the Wheelchair Super League took place in Medway on Sunday, with some Welsh involvement. Mark Williams scored a hat-trick of tries for Wigan Warriors, including two in the opening six minutes, as they thrashed Warrington Wolves, who were unable to call on any internationals this weekend, 138-2. Jodie Boyd-Ward scored four tries for Leeds Rhinos as they hammered Hull FC 120-14. Leeds had already secured a home tie in the play-offs, and London Roosters joined them with an impressive 40-26 win over Halifax Panthers helped by Jason Owen who scored a try and penalty.
Cardiff Demons secured a home semi-final in the Women’s Super League South after a 46-4 win away at Bedford Tigers. Welsh international Rosie Carr was the star of the show, scoring two tries and kicking five goals. Her twin Katie Carr also chipped in with a try, whilst Leanne Burnell scored a brace. Wales squad members Amy Price and Chelcey Greasley were also on the scoresheet with Rhi Parker, Joeann McGuire, Kim Boaler, Sophie Solari, Molly Reardon, Lauren Aitken and Ffion Jenkins contributing to the win. In the north, Fern Davies (below, pic Andrew Cudbertson) scored five tries in a friendly win for North Wales Crusaders over Rochdale Mayfield.
