Ian Golden and Harry Jones look back at last weekend’s performances from our internationals and hopefuls.
The North Wales Crusaders men’s side celebrated their final League 1 match of the season with an outstanding 40-10 win over Cornwall played in front of a large crowd. Debutant Lloyd Evans marked his debut by scoring the opening try with Ben Evans also in the side. Matt Ross was playing for Cornwall. Oldham, from whom Craig Kopczak came on as sub, lifted the League 1 trophy following their win at home to Workington Town. Jude Ferreira helped Hunslet to a thrilling 28-22 win at Midlands Hurricanes. Billy Walkley scored his 20th try of the league season but couldn’t prevent defeat for Keighley Cougars at Rochdale Hornets.
Widnes Vikings sneaked a 12-8 Championship win at Batley Bulldogs with Mike Butt, Rhodri Lloyd and Matty Fozard in the Widnes side. Connor Davies helped Halifax Panthers to a crucial win as they edged out Doncaster 17-16 away. Already relegated side Dewsbury Rams, with Curtis Davies in the side, lost at Bradford Bulls. Swinton Lions, with Rhys Williams and Gavin Bennion in the side, lost at Wakefield Trinity. They and Will Evans’ Whitehaven are primarily fighting against the final relegation place with the Cumbrian side losing at home to York Knights.
In the NRL, Bradman Best helped Newcastle Knights to a home win over Gold Coast Titans.
In the Women’s Super League, Wigan Warriors, with Carys Marsh starting, scored 15 tries as they beat Warrington Wolves. Bethan Dainton was in the Leeds Rhinos side that lost at York Valkyrie. Ashlea Prescott‘s Featherstone Rovers are now in the relegation play-off after losing at home to Barrow Raiders. Huddersfield Giants, who fielded Gracie Hobbs, lost at home to St Helens.
Jodie Boyd-Ward helped Leeds Rhinos with a try to extend their Wheelchair Super League unbeaten run to seven wins in a row after beating London Roosters 40-26. In the Wheelchair Championship, North Wales Crusaders beat Rochdale Hornets 84-15, redeeming themselves following the home defeat to the Hornets in July. Father and son duo, Martin Turner and Matthew Turner scored two tries each, Martin scoring within the opening minute. Fellow international Stuart Williams managed four tries, whilst Harry Jones who was making his first game post-surgery made a brief five-minute appearance at the end of the game. scoring in the closing minute. Mason Baker also featured for the Crusaders. However, the star of the show was Stephen Halsey who was playing his final game after his announcement to retire from the sport to concentrate on his business, managed to score two tries whilst going 100% from the tee as he converted all 14 of his attempts.
