Just in time for the international break, as per their banner, Cardiff Demons were on fire, moving to the top of the RFL Women’s Championship after demolishing Hull FC 44-0 last Sunday.
It was an outstanding win for our Welsh side where they scored nine tries, with Wales squad members Zoe Heeley and Amy Price each crossing twice. Olivia Williams, Rhi Parker, Charlie Mundy and Amberley Ruck were also try scorers, whilst Frances Layton got a try and four goals.
Other players from that game, who are in line to play against Scotland at The Gnoll this Sunday were Lucia Davies, Meg Whittaker, Katie Carr, Jasmine Gibbons, Ffion Jenkins, Sioned Young and Sara Jones. Go to wrl.wales/tickets to buy your tickets to watch them take on Scotland this Sunday in Neath.
More of that Wales Women’s squad were also in action in last weekend with Georgia Taylor the only other Championship player, as she helped Sheffield Eagles to a win at Castleford Tigers.
In the Women’s Super League, two of our squad members clashed and whilst Wales captain Bethan Dainton was a try scorer, her Leeds Rhinos side were beaten at Carys Marsh‘s Wigan Warriors. Agnes Wood also scored a try last weekend, where her York Valkyrie side beat Gracie Hobbs‘ Huddersfield Giants.
And down in Australia, Brittony Price played her final game for Fremantle Roosters before returning to Wales for the internationals, but her side went down 20-12 at Ellenbrook Rabbitohs.
On the opposite coast down under, Sam Hughes scored a try and Harry Hayes played off the bench to help Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to beat Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and claim the club’s 1000th win, only the third Australian senior club to achieve this feat after Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Back in Europe, and in the men’s Super League, it was the first week of a split round. Denive Balmforth came off the bench for Catalans Dragons in their loss at Wigan Warriors. In the Super League academy, two Welsh players met at Odsal where Henry Parker‘s Leigh Leopards won at Lewis Owens‘ Bradford Bulls. In the local derby at Castleford Tigers, Sam Grice played for the home side as they beat Wakefield Wildcats, who fielded Dan Hetherington and Robbie Brook. Finally, Junior Westwood scored the winning drop goal for Warrington Wolves academy as they beat Leeds Rhinos 19-18. Isaac Holdsworth was also in the Warrington side.
There were a few Welsh players in the Championship. Caleb Aekins scored two tries for Featherstone Rovers as they overcame London Broncos at home. Curtis Davies and Matt Ross were in the Broncos side. Gil Dudson scored a try as Oldham beat Hunslet at home. Widnes Vikings, who fielded Mike Butt, Rhys Williams, Matty Fozard and Gavin Bennion, lost at home to Bradford Bulls. Connor Davies returned to the Halifax Panthers side after two months out with injury, but his side were beaten at home to top of the table York Knights.
North Wales Crusaders went one step further to securing the League 1 title as they won away at Newcastle Thunder. There were Welsh try scorers on both sides, George Birch for Thunder and Ant Walker for Crusaders, from whom Jamie Jenkins appeared from the bench. Finally, Luis Roberts scored a try for Midlands Hurricanes, but he couldn’t prevent defeat at promotion rivals Swinton Lions.
Finally, there was just one Welsh international in action in the Wheelchair leagues this week, and that was Lee Sargent, who scored a try for Hereford Harriers in their 46-26 win at Widnes Vikings.
