Whilst the Wales Women’s side were qualifying for the World Cup, plenty of players from our already qualified Wheelchair side and not yet qualified men’s, were also in action last weekend.
In Wheelchair, there was action in the WRL and RFL leagues. In England in the Super League, Scott Trigg-Turner helped London Roosters to a win over Wigan Warriors, whilst Jodie Boyd-Ward did likewise for Leeds Rhinos against Hull FC, scoring two tries in the process.
In the RFL Wheelchair Championship, Hereford Harriers secured a strong victory ahead of this weekend’s clash with North Wales Crusaders as they beat Rochdale Hornets. The international experience showed as Gary Preece, Alex Powell and Lee Sargent all dominated the play with Powell and Preece both crossing for four tries each with the latter managing nine conversions whilst Sargent managed a solitary try. Lee’s dad Paul Sargent, a former Wales international, also turned out for Hereford. Crusaders themselves recorded a massive 85-34 victory over relegated Warrington Wolves who continued their awful start to the season. With six international players in the side, the Crusaders were always going to be too strong for last year’s Super League bottom side, and Stephen Halsey led the way with five tries, ten conversions and a drop goal. Martin Turner went over for four tries and kicked three goals, Wales’ World Cup captain Stuart Williams, who has recently returned from New Zealand, scored two tries on his comeback game, whilst Harry Jones scored once. Mason Baker and Jess Booth were also involved in the win.
Sunday saw action in the WRL Wheelchair Invitational League where the Crusaders were, as always in this competition, split into two. The side named North Wales Crusaders started the day with a win over Torfaen Tigers with Halsey continuing his good weekend with two tries and five goals and Matthew Turner scoring five tries and a goal. Williams, Baker and Ricki Davies each chipped in with a try. Tigers kept it in the family with father Jason Reynolds and son Jamie Reynolds getting their tries. Alex Powell kicked one goal. Crusaders Celts and Torfaen Tigers then fought out a 36-34 thriller with a late Martin Turner penalty the only difference between the two sides. Harry Jones scored a try and two goals whilst Turner also kicked three conversions. Powell was the star for Torfaen with four tries and five goals with Jason Reynolds scoring twice. The two Crusaders sides then faced each other with NWC coming up trumps with Halsey getting three tries and three goals, Williams two tries and Davies one. Baker contributed two goals whilst Booth played in both NWC games. For Celts, Jones scored two tries and drop goal with Turner getting a try and four goals.
The North Wales Crusaders’ men’s side won 42-4 away at Newcastle Thunder with Rob Massam continuing his comeback with a hat-trick of tries whilst Ben Evans scored once. Elsewhere in League 1, Billy Walkley‘s Keighley Cougars won away at Cornwall, who fielded Harry Boots and Matt Ross. Craig Kopczak helped Oldham to a win at Workington Town. Jude Ferrera was in the Hunslet side that lost at home to Rochdale Hornets.
In the men’s Super League, Gil Dudson was in action for Salford Red Devils as they edged out St Helens 20-18 for their first double over the champions since 1980. In the Championship, Huw Worthington was player of the match as Whitehaven beat Dewsbury Rams who fielded Owen Restall and Curtis Davies. His twin Connor Davies also suffered defeat as Halifax Panthers lost at Wakefield Trinity. Caleb Aekins scored a try but couldn’t prevent Featherstone Rovers’ fourth successive loss as they went down at home to York Knights. Rhys Williams‘ Swinton Lions lost at home to Barrow Raiders. Mike Butt, Rhodri Lloyd, Matty Fozard and Ant Walker were in the Widnes Vikings side that lost at Sheffield Eagles.