Ian Golden, Harry Jones and Andy Morgan review the weekend’s action in matches that featured Wales internationals and hopefuls. Pic: Ian Lovell.
Cardiff Demons qualified for the quarter-finals of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup after running eight tries past Featherstone Rovers. All 17 players were Welsh qualified with Molly Reardon, Rosie Carr, Eleri Michael, Kaitlin Hubbert (2), Zoe Heeley, Amy Price and Leanne Burnell all running over in the 36-18 win. Amberley Ruck added two goals. Also playing for Cardiff were Wales internationals Rhi Parker, Lauren Aitken, Sara Jones, Charley Mundy, Ffion Jones, Katie Carr and Shaunni Davies, with the uncapped Ffion Jenkins and Hannah Jones also coming off the bench to star. In other Cup ties, two tries from Bethan Dainton helped Leeds Rhinos see off Huddersfield Giants 52-0, whilst Carys Marsh was in the Wigan Warriors side who beat Salford Red Devils 60-0.
In the Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup sixth round, Rhys Williams scored two tries for Salford Red Devils as they won a live TV thriller against Huddersfield Giants to book their place in the quarter-finals. The Devils withstood a Giants fightback to earn a 42-40 victory. That brings Rhys up to 194 first class career tries, which includes a record 22 for Wales, 161 in the English league system, plus 11 for Central Queensland Capras in the Queensland Cup. Gil Dudson was in the Warrington Wolves side who had an equally as exciting, but not as high-scoring 16-14 win away at Catalans Dragons.
In the NRL, Tyson Frizell and Bradman Best were part of the Newcastle Knights side who were comfortably seen off by high-flying Cronulla Sharks. Frizell has this week been selected in the New South Wales squad for the opening game of State of Origin. Sam Hughes was in the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs side who edged out Gold Coast Titans 20-18. Harry Hayes scored for the Bulldogs’ U20s as they beat Canberra Raiders, whilst Daniel Brown was full-back for St Mary’s as they overcame Cabramatta 44-12 in the Sydney Shield.
In League One, Dewsbury Rams saw their 100% record come to an end at Oldham, who kicked a last-gasp penalty goal to earn a point from a 26-26 draw. Owen Restall and Connor Davies both started the game for Dewsbury Rams. Sion Jones came off the bench for Rochdale Hornets as they cruised to a big win over Cornwall, who included Harry Boots, Jake Lloyd and Charley Bodman in their matchday squad.
Not a bad day at the office! pic.twitter.com/K7SZdCk57e
— North Wales Crusaders (@NWCrusaders) May 21, 2023
There were celebrations in North Wales as Crusaders got their first win of the campaign. Rob Massam, Josh Lynch and Owain Abel were among the try scorers against Midlands Hurricanes, who had Sam Bowring in their line-up.
Sunday was definitely a course for celebration for North Wales Crusaders. Not only did their men’s team claim their first victory of the season, but the wheelchair side outshined them as they claimed their first piece of silverware of 2023 claiming their fifth consecutive Peacock Cup in Wrexham. Starring for the Crusaders were Wales internationals Scott Trigg-Turner, Stephen Halsey, Mason Baker, Lucie Roberts and Stuart Williams, whilst in the Torfaen Tigers side were Alex Powell, fresh from his debut call-up to the Welsh international side, Lee Sargent and father son duo Jamie Reynolds and Jason Reynolds.
Trigg-Turner was also starring in the Wheelchair Super League last weekend, playing for London Roosters. He came off the bench to score a try as they came away with a surprising 66-22 victory over reigning champions Halifax Panthers. Stuart Williams made his Warrington Wolves debut following a dual-registration from North Wales Crusaders. But despite scoring a try, his side were completely outclassed as Wigan came away with a Super League record 140 point victory as they claimed a 158-18 win. Mark Williams, still coming back from injury came off the bench for the Warriors to score a brace of tries, the Warriors without fellow international, Martin Lane. Jodie Boyd-Ward captained Leeds Rhinos to a 78-28 over Super League’s dark horses, Hull FC.