Two champions crowned in North Wales on Sunday

TRI-NATIONS FINAL
WALES WHEELCHAIR 40 ENGLAND WHEELCHAIR 54
By Ian Golden at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre

England Wheelchair continued their 100% success over British Isles opposition after beating Wales 54-40 in a very competitive Tri-Nations Final at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre near Wrexham.

It was the closest Wales had ever got to beating England and were only eight points down with three minutes remaining.

England took a second minute lead through a Fred Nye try that Tom Haliwell converted. Only good Welsh defence prevented the English from getting a quick second, after winning two back to back sets.

However they did increase their lead on 11 minutes when Jodie Boyd-Ward grounded in the corner for an unconverted try.

Halliwell made up for his miss by scoring England’s third under the sticks that he easily converted.

Stuart Williams struck back for Wales with a try that Stephen Halsey converted to bring the score back to 16-6 on 20 minutes.

Unlucky not to get a second try back, Andrew Higgins being forced into touch when near the line, Wales then had to defend as England got back onto the attack. Boyd-Ward eventually finishing off a skillful length of the court set to score in the corner.

Halliwell’s second try and third goal gave England a 26-6 lead on the half hour before an uncontested charge through the centre by Josh Butler seconds later, also converted by Halliwell, further increased their lead.

Rob Hawkins went over for England’s next try, converted by Nathan Collins, but Wales got some points back when Andrew Higgins punched over a penalty.

However England went into the break 44-10 ahead after a slick passing move ended with Butler scoring in the corner and Collins converting. Higgins added a second Welsh penalty after the hooter had gone.

Wales were first to score in the second half with Harry Jones going in under the sticks. It looked like it should have been an eight-point try but that wasn’t given, and Halsey notched just the one conversion.

Jason Owen followed him over from kick-off with Higgins converting to make the score 44-22.

It took 22 minutes for another score to be registered and it came for Wales. Lucie Roberts scoring in the corner and Halsey converted.

Stuart Williams scored from kick-off and Halsey converted again and suddenly Wales were just ten points down.

However England clinched the game with five minutes to go when Hawkins scored in the corner.

Scotty Trigg-Turner did get another try back for Wales which Halsey converted, but Hawkins further extended the English lead in the final minute with Halliwell adding the goal.

WALES WHEELCHAIR: Stephen Halsey, Harry Jones, Lucie Roberts, Gary Taylor, Stuart Williams (captain) (All North Wales Crusaders), Alan Caron, Philip Davies, Andrew Higgins, Scotty Trigg-Turner, Mark Williams (all Hereford Harriers), Richard Carver, Jason Owens (both Gravesend Dynamite).
Tries:
S Williams (19, 72), Jones (43), Owen (45), Roberts (68), Trigg-Turner (77)
Goals:
Halsey 5/5, Higgins 3/3

ENGLAND WHEELCHAIR: James Hazel, Lewis King, Fred Nye (all Argonauts), Rob Hawkins, Nathan Mulhall (both Halifax), Jodie Boyd-Ward, Josh Butler, Nathan Collins, Tom Halliwell, James Simpson (all Leeds Rhinos).
Tries:
Nye (2), Boyd-Ward (11, 25), Halliwell (15, 29), Butler (31, 40), Hawkins (34, 75, 80)
Goals:
Halliwell 5/8, Collins 2/2

Referee: Matt Ball
Half-time: 10-44

NORTH WALES ORIGIN 10 EAST WALES 12
By Conrad Anderson at Shotton Steel RUFC

East Wales came back from behind to beat North Wales Origin 12-10 to seal the WRL Men’s Origin Series.

It was a knock-on fest at Shotton Steel RUFC with the torrential conditions destroying all chances of the game becoming a spectacle.

The first real opportunity to break the deadlock came for North on 28 minutes. Ryan Griffiths opted to go for goal after a penalty was awarded, but sent it wide.

After East’s Darrel Moyle was sinbinned, North took the lead. Luca Youen Owens scored and Griffiths was successful with the conversion. 6-0 to the home side at the break.

A Finn Swift try soon increased North’s lead with Griffiths missing the kick, but Liam Watton got an unconverted try back for East just three minutes’ later.

East leveled with 10 minutes to go when Matt Williams scored near to the sticks. Josh Hurley converted before adding a penalty five minutes later to seal the win.

NORTH WALES ORIGIN: Ryan Griffiths (Ince Rose Bridge), Alfie Mathias (North Wales Crusaders A), Dan Crabtree (Ulverston), Henri Roberts (North Wales Crusaders A), Finn Swift (Pilkington Recs), Morgan Johnson (North Wales Crusaders A), Rob Fleet (Bangor University), Billy Forrester (Thatto Heath Crusaders), George Morris (North Wales Crusaders A), Jacob Hitchcox (North Wales Crusaders), Paul Welch (Chester Gladiators), Ben Stelmaszek (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Morgan Nicholas (Latchford Albion). Subs: Luca Owen-Youens (North Wales Crusaders A), Geraint Jones (North Wales Crusaders A), Callum Leonard (North Wales Crusaders A), Tom Bradfield (Chester Gladiators), Nathan Hood (Chester Gladiators).

Tries: Owen-Youens (35), Swift (42)
Goals: Griffiths 1/3

EAST WALES: Liam Silver (Torfaen Tigers), Jermarie Chatham (Torfaen Tigers), Josh Hurley (Torfaen Tigers),  Jarad Hinnem (Torfaen Tigers), Adam Watton (Valley Cougars), Geoff Hick (Torfaen Tigers), Kurtis Haille (Torfaen Tigers), Mike Bagnall (Torfaen Tigers), Dean Higgs (Valley Cougars), Darryl Moyle (Torfaen Tigers), Liam Watton (Valley Cougars), Charlie Bodman (Valley Cougars), Matt Williams (Torfaen Tigers). Subs: Grant Harrington (Torfaen Tigers), Tom Matthews (Torfaen Tigers), Luke Royal (Torfaen Tigers), Shaun Watton (Rhondda Outlaws), Tomos Warner (Valley Cougars).

Tries: L Watton (5), M Williams (30)
Goals: Hurley 2/3

Referee: Denton Arnold
Half-time: 6-0