Gwylio’r Cymry/Welsh Watch: Mehefin 8-11

Ian Golden, Harry Jones and Andy Morgan review the weekend’s action in matches that featured Wales internationals and hopefuls. Pic: SW Pix.

Rhys Williams scored a brace of tries for Salford Red Devils as they maintained their place in the Betfred Super League play-off places with a win at Castleford Tigers. That brings Rhys up to 196 first-class career tries in his career, which includes a record 22 for Wales, 163 in the English league system, plus 11 for Central Queensland Capras in the Queensland Cup. Elsewhere in West Yorkshire, Luis Roberts was in the Leeds Rhinos team that suffered defeat at the hands of Wakefield Trinity – a first win of the season for Wakefield. Gil Dudson helped Warrington Wolves back to the top of the table, playing in their 30-26 win against Huddersfield Giants.

While Wakefield enjoyed a first win of the season, in the Betfred Championship, Caleb Aekins and Featherstone Rovers suffered a first league defeat. Josh Ralph was part of the Toulouse Olympique side that ended Rovers’ 100% league record. 

Chester Butler helped Bradford Bulls to a fourth straight win, while Batley Bulldogs moved up to third in the table with a win over Newcastle Thunder. Elliot Kear featured for the Bulldogs, with hooker, Curtis Davies in the Thunder side. 

Dan Fleming came off the interchange bench for Halifax Panthers as they recorded a comfortable win at Swinton Lions, with Gav Bennion and Rhodri Lloyd in the Swinton team. There was disappointment for Matty Fozard and Ant Walker, as defeat at Whitehaven leaves them outside the play-off places.  Ben Evans played for Barrow Raiders as they earned a valuable 18-16 win against Keighley Cougars to move out of the relegation spots. 

In Betfred League One, Dewsbury Rams made it a perfect ten in the league with a comprehensive win at Cornwall. Owen Restall started at full-back for the Rams, while Cornwall featured Harry Boots, Jake Lloyd, Ewan Badham, Ieuan Badham and Paul Bolger. Sion Jones played for Rochdale Hornets as they went down to Doncaster. 

In the NRL, Bradman Best and Tyson Frizell were part of the Newcaslte Knights side that pushed table topping Brisbane Broncos all the way, only for the Broncos – who have Lee Briers in their coaching staff – came out 24-20 victors. 

 

Just three Wheelchair Rugby League internationals were in action this past weekend, all starring in the season’s second ‘Magic Round’, this one being held in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Leeds Rhinos were looking to extend their undefeated streak against a Warrington Wolves side that have conceded an average of 115 points per game this season and they continued to add to Warrington’s woes coming away with a 112-18 win. Captain and Wales international, Jodie Boyd-Ward coming away with six tries out of the Rhinos 19 try haul.

In the day’s closing game, London Roosters looed to continue their strong run of form as they took on title contenders, Wigan Warriors. Scott Trigg-Turner was in the starting line-up for the Roosters being instrumental in a number his sides plays, whilst Mark Williams came off the bench for the Warriors. However, his efforts were in vain as the Rooster came away with a 48-16 victory.

Finally, in the Women’s Super League, Carys Marsh was in the Wigan Warriors side, but they lost out 26-4 to local rivals St Helens, whilst Emily Hughes helped her London Broncos outfit to a 38-22 win over Bedford Tigers in the SL South. Off the field, the injured Beci Davies was wearing her coaching hat and guiding her North Wales Crusaders side to a win in their very first game, as they beat Heysham Atoms.