Harry Jones and Ian Golden review last weekend’s action featuring Welsh internationals and hopefuls. Pic: SW Pix
Ahead of the forthcoming women’s international players at The Lextan Gnoll in Neath, our players were all on top form last weekend. Click here to buy tickets for our matches against Scotland on August 3rd and England on August 9th.
In Super League, Dani McGifford hit the headlines for St Helens in their 80-0 drubbing of Leigh Leopards, scoring a hat-trick of tries. Carys Marsh came off the bench for Wigan Warriors as they produced the same scoreline as Saints, their win away at Warrington Wolves. Bethan Dainton came top of the battle of the Welsh internationals with a hard-working performance as she led them to victory over Gracie Hobbs‘ Huddersfield Giants. Agnes Wood played for York Valkyrie in their home win over Barrow Raiders.
In the Championship, Zoe Heeley scored a brace of tries and Lucia Davies one as Cardiff Demons won 14-0 away at Bradford Bulls. Liv Williams, Lucia Davies, Amberley Ruck, Meg Whittaker, Jasmine Gibbons, Ffion Jenkins, Charlie Mundy, Katie Carr, Ffion Jones and Lauren Aitken were also in the Cardiff side. Elsewhere, Kathryn Salter kicked three goals in London Broncos’ win against Oulton Raidettes. The league leaders also fielded Emily Hughes. In other matches, Ashlea Prescott helped Featherstone Rovers to a win at Hull Kingston Rovers, but Georgia Taylor‘s Sheffield Eagles lost at home to Swinton Lionesses.
And in Australia, Brittony Price led Fremantle Roosters to a large win by scoring two tries in their 68-0 WA NLRW victory at Kalamunda Bulldogs.
Former women’s international Brogan Evans, now playing for Wales Wheelchair, continues to star for Wigan Warriors reserves. She scored a try in their win over Hull FC, with Mark Williams also scoring a try in addition to his four conversions. In the Wheelchair Super League match between the two sides, Scott Trigg-Turner managed a brace of tries and a solitary conversion as Wigan claimed a 54-4 victory. Elsewhere, Jodie Boyd-Ward’s Leeds Rhinos side went top of the Super League with a 98-24 victory over Sheffield Eagles, Jodie captaining the side and scoring a try. Also, Stuart Williams played the entire 80 minutes for Edinburgh Giants, managing to score his first try for the Scottish side, but they fell 66-22 to Challenge Cup finalists, London Roosters.
In the Wheelchair Championship, Hereford Harriers’ Welsh contingent were key in their side’s 94-2 victory over Widnes Vikings. Father-son duo Jamie Reynolds and Jason Reynolds were both on the score sheet as Jamie managed two tries and Jason a solitary score. Lee Sargent went over for four tries, whilst captain, Gary Preece scored 60 of his side’s points via 14 goals and one try. North Wales Crusaders continued their undefeated streak to go back top of the Championship table as they cruised to a convincing 78-12 victory over Salford Red Devils. Harry Jones scored two tries whilst Martin Turner secured five conversions. However, his son, Matthew Turner, stole the show as he managed eight tries and eight conversions in the Crusaders’ victory. This game was also officiated by Wales Rugby League Wheelchair Development Officer and Disciplinary and Safeguarding Officer, Stephen Jones.
In the men’s Super League, Charlie Glover came off the bench for Salford Red Devils in their defeat at Leeds Rhinos. Denive Balmforth did likewise for Catalans Dragons in their home loss to league leaders Hull Kingston Rovers. In Super League reserves, Luke Thomas‘ Warrington Wolves got the better of Sam Grice‘s Castleford Tigers as they won 40-6. Oliver Garmston helped St Helens reserves to a large win against Leigh Leopards, but Fin Yates was on the losing side with Salford at Leeds in their reserve game.
London Broncos produced an outstanding 48-6 win at Sheffield Eagles to help their cause from escaping potential relegation from the men’s Championship. The Broncos fielded Curtis Davies and Huw Worthington, whilst Billy Walkley was on the Sheffield side. Rhys Williams scored a try for Widnes Vikings, but couldn’t prevent a home defeat to Doncaster. Mike Butt and Matty Fozard were also in the Widnes side. Caleb Aekins was also over for Featherstone Rovers in their 24-22 defeat at Toulouse Olympique XIII. Gil Dudson, on return from injury, came off the bench in Oldham’s loss at Bradford Bulls.
Max Clarke, on his return from France, has joined Workington Town, and he helped them beat Whitehaven 22-8 away in the big League 1 Cumbrian derby to consolidate their play-off position. Elsewhere, Keenen Tomlinson helped Dewsbury Rams to a home win over Swinton Lions, whilst George Birch was in the Newcastle Thunder side who lost at home to Rochdale Hornets.
Finally, in Australia, Harry Hayes came off the bench for Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs as they won at home to St George Illawarra Dragons.
