Ian Golden and Harry Jones review the weekend’s action in matches that featured Wales internationals and hopefuls.

In Saturday’s Wheelchair Super League semi-final, Jodie Boyd-Ward led her Leeds Rhinos to a 54-44 win over Halifax Panthers, successfully bouncing back after last week’s regular season defeat to the same size. She scored two tries in the process and will now become the first-ever Welsh international to captain a side in the Wheelchair Super League Grand Final.

In Sunday’s Wheelchair Championship play-offs, Mark Williams played what could well be his final ever game, scoring two tries and two conversions to inspire Wigan Warriors ‘A’ to their inaugural Grand Final as they beat Sheffield Eagles 64-0 to secure their place in their Grand Final.

Welsh internationals were also involved in the final regular season matches in the WRL Invitational Wheelchair League as Hereford Harriers claimed their place in the Grand Final, with North Wales Crusaders and Torfaen Tigers each qualifying for Cwpan Sialans Cadair Olwyn. Gary Preece showed his class for Hereford as they beat Cardiff Blue Dragons, going in for five tries and 11 goals to become the league’s top points scorer in the regular season. 

It was similar when Crusaders beat Tigers as the experienced Stephen Halsey made a big difference, scoring four tries and their other current Welsh international Mason Baker scoring a try and a goal. Lee Sargent was in action for Torfaen.

It wasn’t the best of weekends for the Eagles. In the running game, the RFL Championship play-offs started last weekend and London Broncos sent a clear message to their rivals after hammering Sheffield 42-0 away from home. Dalton Grant was one of the London stars, going over for two tries. Bradford Bulls, starring Chester Butler, are also through to next week’s semi-finals after beating York Knights.

Warrington Wolves won the PDRL Grand Final after beating leader leaders Wakefield Trinity, for whom Wales head coach Dave Jones was a squad member. The semi-finals, played on the same day, saw Wakefield beat Castleford Tigers, whilst Warrington beat Leeds in other semi-final, for whom Chris Young turned out for.