WHEELCHAIR RUGBY LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP FIRST ROUND

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 84 HULL FC 44

Some people may take a second look when they see that North Wales Crusaders have beaten Hull FC 84-44 in an open age Challenge Cup game but that’s exactly what happened on Saturday afternoon in Wrexham.

However this wasn’t the running form of Rugby League, it was in the Wheelchair Challenge Cup, which is as close as possible to the running game, with tries, conversions and drop goals that can all be potentially scored.

In this match, Andrew Higgins led the way for the Crusaders with five tries and 11 conversions, the extras attempted by the player punching the ball at the sticks from a waist-high tee.

Harry Jones, on his 50th game for the Crusaders, scored four tries and converted once and captain Stuart Williams helped out with a hat-trick of tries.

Paul Southall added two tries with Lucie Roberts, this version of the game being played by men and women in the same team, adding one try.

Crusaders coach Steve Jones said: “We very strong first half – we came out of the blocks fast and hard, scoring the first try 25 seconds in. We were already 56-10 up at half-time, so the second half saw us play a lot of our development players, giving everyone some court time but trying to keep some continuity despite the numerous substitutions made. Overall it was a very good day for us.”

Some of the Crusaders players will be taking part in the Wheelchair World Cup that will be played in France in July. For information on how to support them, please email team manager Mark Jones on maj.jones58@yahoo.co.uk.

PREMIER LEAGUE – WEEK 1 GAME 2

CARDIFF BLUE DRAGONS 44 BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS 26

Cardiff made the perfect start to the game when Duane Iles went over in the corner for an unconverted try in the first minute.

The second came on 13 minutes Dan Crimmins fought his way past Bridgend defence to score. It was converted by Brad Williams to put them 10-0 up.

The third came five minutes later with an unconverted try in the corner by Andrew Evans.

Bridgend got a try back on 25 minutes when Ross Jones scored in the corner but Cardiff soon extended their lead after Brad Williams found a gap to score and converted his own try.

Again the visitor hit back after Ross Jones scored under the sticks and Gareth Howells converted, but a line-break from Andrew Evans just before half-time, converted by Brad Williams gave Cardiff a 26-10 lead at the break.

Bridgend were first to score in the second half when Keiron Hooper did well to reach out and score.

But straight away, Cardiff addressed the balance with similar try from Iles which was converted by Williams.

Again Bridgend hit back when Rhys Pope scored under the sticks and Howells converted.

Cardiff then put the game out of reach with two further tries. Ryan Sallish dived under the posts and Williams converted, before Jamie Leech scored in the corner to make it 44-20.

Bridgend however had the last say as Hooper scored under the posts for his second which was converted by Howells.

Other result today – UNDER 13 – West Wales Raiders 34 DC Wildcats 38