Ian Golden and Harry Jones round-up last weekend’s action featuring our Welsh internationals and hopefuls. Pic: Andy Shaw
The half-way stage was reached in League 1, with North Wales Crusaders on top. Ant Walker and Paddy Jones played for them this week as they beat Rochdale Hornets at home. Midlands Hurricanes are second, and Luis Roberts (pictured) scored a try for them as they beat Swinton Lions at home. Elsewhere, the two winless sides met, as George Birch came off the bench in Newcastle Thunder’s home loss to Billy Walkley‘s Keighley Cougars. Finally, Spencer Foulton‘s Workington Town got the better of Dec Tomlinson‘s Dewsbury Rams.
Crusaders also beat Rochdale in the Wheelchair game, with a close 38-34 victory. Jess Booth and Jakub Wasieczko crossed for two tries apiece, with fellow internationals Martin Turner, Jonny Gill and Mason Baker all featuring, with the latter managing a solitary conversion. Harry Jones managed to register five assists for his side. Brogan Evans scored a try, and her first ever goal (from her first ever attempt) for Salford Red Devils in their 38-18 defeat to Warrington Wolves.
An 84-6 home win over Castleford Tigers, means that London Broncos are on top of the Women’s Championship, but only on points difference over Cardiff Demons. Emily Hughes scored two tries and Kathryn Salter kicked eight goals in the Broncos’ crushing victory. Cardiff had a 30-10 win over Swinton Lionesses. Leanne Burnell and Zoe Heeley leading the way with a brace of tries with fellow Welsh internationals Charlie Mundy and Lucia Davies also on the scoresheet. Amberley Ruck kicked three goals. Other Welsh internationals in the Demons side were Rhi Parker, Jasmine Gibbons, Ffion Jenkins, Katie Carr, Amy Price and Hannah Jones. Elsewhere, Ashlea Prescott helped Featherstone Rovers to a home win over Salford Red Devils and Agnes Wood was in the Sheffield Eagles side that lost at home to Oulton Raiderettes.
Both Wigan Warriors and St Helens warmed up for the Women’s Challenge Cup Final with wins. Dani McGifford scored a try in Saints’ away win at York Valkyrie, whilst Carys Marsh played for Wigan as they travelled to Bethan Dainton‘s Leeds Rhinos. Elsewhere in the Women’s Super League, Gracie Hobbs was in the Huddersfield Giants side that beat Leigh Leopards.
In the Men’s Super League, Denive Balmforth was part of the Hull FC side that had a big away win at Catalans Dragons, whilst Charlie Glover played in Salford Red Devils’ home defeat to Wigan Warriors.
Meanwhile, in the Super League academy, Jake Nottingham and Junior Westwood helped Warrington Wolves beat Sam Grice‘s Castleford Tigers. Sam Dickenson was in the Wigan Warriors side that won at Salford Red Devils, Oliver Garmston helped St Helens to a big away win at Leigh Leopards, whilst Dan Hetherington and Robbie Brook were in the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats side as they lost at Leeds Rhinos.
In the men’s Championship, seven Welsh internationals were on the field at London Broncos, who suffered a close 12-10 defeat to Widnes Vikings. Playing for London were Curtis Davies, Hugh Worthington and Matt Ross, with Rhys Williams, Rhodri Lloyd, Matty Fozard and Gavin Bennion were in action for the visitors. Elsewhere. Featherstone Rovers warmed up for their 1895 Cup Final appearance with an away win at Barrow Raiders, where Caleb Aekins started, Gil Dudson scored a try for Oldham in their big away win at Hunslet, and Elliot Kear‘s Batley Bulldogs suffered a home defeat to Toulouse Olympique XIII.
