The weekend was dominated by our Wales Women’s side who beat Ireland, but there was also plenty of club action from our men’s and wheelchair players as Ian Golden and Harry Jones report…
In the men’s Super League, Gil Dudson came off the bench for Salford Red Devils to help them to a win over Warrington Wolves, the club who have loaned him to Salford for a season. Luis Roberts was also on the winning side for Leeds Rhinos, who had a hard-fought victory at Hull FC.
In the Betfred Championship, Widnes Vikings sneaked a one-point win at Bradford Bulls with Mike Butt, Rhodri Lloyd and Matty Fozard all in the Widnes side. Elliot Kear also tasted victory, helping Batley Bulldogs to defeat York Knights whilst Rhys Williams was also a winner, with Swinton Lions away at Halifax. Elsewhere, Will Evans scored a try for Whitehaven, but he couldn’t prevent defeat at home to Featherstone Rovers. Curtis Davies‘ Dewsbury Rams lost at Doncaster.
Billy Walkley continued with his outstanding form for Keighley Cougars in League 1. He scored two tries in their win at Rochdale Hornets, giving him nine in the last four games. North Wales Crusaders lost at Hunslet with Jude Ferreira in action for the home side and Owain Abel kicking three goals for the Crusaders. Craig Kopczak scored a try for Oldham in their win at Midlands Hurricanes, whilst Matt Ross‘ Cornwall side lost away to Workington Town.
In the NRL, it was a hard-fought win for Bradman Best and Newcastle Knights at the Dolphins. Josh Ralph wasn’t quite so fortunate with St George Illawarra Dragons reserves as they lost 19-18 at home to Sydney Roosters reserves.
Saturday saw the start of the 2024 Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup. In York, Jodie Boyd-Ward captained Leeds Rhinos to an emphatic 84-12 victory over a Hereford Harriers side that included Welsh internationals; Phil Davies, Gary Preece, Lee Sargent and Wales Head Coach, Alan Caron. The only points from these players came from Preece as he managed both conversions for his side.
At Robin Park, home of the Wigan Warriors, both Martin Lane and Mark Williams featured for the Cherry and Whites as they put in a convincing victory over Halifax Panthers, both coming off the bench to help their side secure a 70-32 win with Lane scoring one of his sides tries. The curtain-raiser to this match saw Wigan’s reserves take on North Wales Crusaders, with the Welsh side sneaking a win. Lucie Roberts made her first appearance of the season, scoring Crusaders’ first try, with Harry Jones also amongst the try scorers. Mason Baker kicked a goal.
