Gwylio’r Cymry/Welsh Watch: Mis Mawrth 30-Ebrill 2

April 5, 2023
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Andy Morgan, Ian Golden and Harry Jones review the weekend’s action in matches that featured Wales internationals and hopefuls. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Prop forwards Luke Thomas and Gil Dudson both came off the interchange bench to help Warrington Wolves to yet another win, maintaining their 100% start in the men’s Super League. Luis Roberts (pictured) crossed for his first Super League try in what was the only real moment of cheer for Leeds Rhinos as they were comfortably beaten by Hull KR.

The men’s Challenge Cup reached the fourth round stage, where two Welshmen were involved in the shock of the round. Connor Davies and Owen Restall were in the team for League One club Dewsbury Rams as they beat Widnes Vikings of the Championship, despite a try for Matty Fozard. Ant Walker also started for the Vikings.  There was no upset at Hunslet ARLFC, as a Batley Bulldogs team containing Elliot Kear ran in 80 points to progress to the next round.

Chester Butler also enjoyed coming up against lower league opposition, scoring a hat-trick for Bradford Bulls in their comfortable win over Midlands Hurricanes, who had Sam Bowring in their ranks.  Ben Evans came off the bench for Barrow Raiders but couldn’t help them to get the better of Halifax Panthers.

Bailey Antrobus starred for York Knights RLFC as they withheld a Sheffield Eagles fightback to earn their spot in the fifth round, while Dalton Grant scored a try for London Broncos as they eased past Doncaster.  Curtis Davies helped Newcastle Thunder end the Cup run of community club, Rochdale Mayfield.

In West Yorkshire, North Wales Crusaders lost the 99th Challenge Cup tie involving a Welsh side. Alfie Mathias, who represented the Dragonhearts last season, made his Crusaders debut in the defeat to Keighley Cougars. Owain Abel kicked a goal for the Welsh side.

Joe Coope-Franklin, Finley Yates, Charlie Glover and Rhys Davies all turned out for Salford Red Devils Reserves, who lost out to Bradford Bulls. Jude Ferreira was in the Hull FC Reserves team who were comprehensive 60-10 winners over Warrington Wolves.

Bradman Best’s 50th NRL game was an entertaining one, as his Newcastle Knights side drew 32-32 with Manly Sea Eagles.  Tyson Frizell was in the Knights side alongside Best. Sam Hughes was in the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs reserves side as they beat Newtown Jets 16-6. Bulldogs U21 side, starring Harry Hayes weren’t so fortunate, losing to Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks by a single point. Daniel Brown captained St Mary’s in their Sydney Shield defeat to Penrith Brothers.

 

In the weekend’s only Wheelchair Super League game, Jodie Boyd-Ward captained her side to their second victory of the season in a tightly contested affair in Warrington against Wigan Warriors. She scored the game’s first and her only try of the afternoon helping Leeds a 50-38 victory.

In the Championship North, Mark Williams made his first post Rugby League World Cup appearance for Wigan Warriors ‘A’ in their 22-14 victory over 2022 high-flyers, Bradford Bulls. He was influential in his team’s victory, crossing the whitewash on two occasions whilst also converting twice and setting up a number of other scores.

Finally, warming up for competitive action later this year, Torfaen Tigers travelled to Leominster for a pre-season friendly against fellow Championship West side, Hereford Harriers. Both teams wielded a wealth of international knowledge with Wales World Cup squad members, Alan Caron and Gary Preece lining up for the Harriers whilst internationals, Jason Reynolds and Lee Sargent were in the Tigers side, each scoring one try. The Harriers controlled the vast majority of this encounter with Preece acting in a captaincy and playmaker role closing the game out with a try and six goals. Alex Powell, on debut for the Tigers, had a star-making performance on pitch as scored two tries and three conversions, including a penalty goal on the full-time hooter. The game finished with the home side coming away 56-26 victors.

For full details on men’s Super League, Challenge Cup, Championship and League 1, plus Women’s and Wheelchair Super League, can be found at https://stats.rugbyleaguerecords.com/

Challenge Cup, Semi Professional Clubs, Super League, Wheelchair RL