As the domestic season draws to a close, Ian Golden looks at how things are going for our Welsh internationals and hopefuls. Pic: RL Pix.
It was the final weekend of the regular season in the RFL men’s Championship and Widnes Vikings edged out Barrow Raiders to secure an away eliminator at York Knights next week. Rhodri Lloyd and Mike Butt both went over for tries, with Matty Fozard also in action for Widnes and Max Clarke for Barrow. The Raiders narrowly escape the relegation play-offs after Bradford Bulls beat Swinton Lions, who fielded Rhys Williams, Gavin Bennion and Ant Walker. Bradford take on Featherstone Rovers next week in the play-offs, whilst Swinton will now need to go through a relegation play-off as they’ll take on the winners of the League 1 play-offs in a fortnight.
And they may come up against one of their Wales team-mates. Jude Ferreira scored a try in Hunslet’s win in the League 1 final eliminator last weekend at Rochdale Hornets and he’ll come up against Billy Walkley’s Keighley Cougars in the final, they having sat out last weekend after already qualifying.
Whitehaven, already doomed to relegation from the Championship, pulled off an excellent win at home to Halifax Panthers, despite just having three on the bench. Will Evans opened the scoring for Haven with Connor Davies in action for Halifax. Elliot Kear‘s domestic season is also over. He came off the bench for Batley Bulldogs as they lost to Toulouse Olympique XIII.
Gil Dudson can also now concentrate on Wales after his Salford Red Devils side were eliminated from the Super League play-offs at home to Leigh Leopards last Friday.
Also falling to the hands of Leigh were London Broncos in the Women’s Championship play-offs. Kathryn Salter kicked a goal for London and Emily Hughes was also in the Broncos side in their narrow defeat in Birmingham. In the Women’s Super League, both of our semi-finalists also suffered defeat, Carys Marsh for Wigan Warriors at St Helens, and Bethan Dainton with Leeds Rhinos at home to York Valkyrie.
Leeds’ hopes of a Super League are still alive in the Wheelchair game. Jodie Boyd-Ward helped them to the final last weekend as they beat Wigan Warriors. However, there will be no Welsh presence in the RFL Wheelchair Championship final. Gary Preece scored all 16 points in Hereford Harriers’ 40-16 defeat to Gravesend Dynamite in their semi-final, with Lee Sargent, Park Sargent, Phil Davies, Alex Powell and Alan Caron also playing. North Wales Crusaders lost 48-38 at Sheffield Eagles. Welsh internationals on display were Martin Turner who got a try and kicked two goals with Harry Jones managing a try and goal. Stuart Williams went over once, with Jess Booth and Mason Baker also starring.
