Wests Warriors to face Leeds Rhinos after seeing off British Army

WESTS WARRIORS 36 BRITISH ARMY 18
KIMBO PARKINSON, Wasps RUFC, Acton, Saturday

LEEDS RHINOS, one of the most successful clubs in the history of the Challenge Cup, are next up for Wests Warriors after the leading London side added the British Army to the previous week’s scalp of Southern Conference League rivals Eastern Rhinos.

The final scoreline, though, fails to reflect the huge effort of the Army, who edged the RAF in the first round.

Although never ahead, and despite having been ten points behind on two occasions, the visitors were only 22-18 adrift as the tie went into the closing quarter, with further progress very much on the agenda.

Wests, though – and with second row Louis Robinson a mighty presence – closed as convincing winners thanks largely to the registering of three tries (with none conceded) in the last quarter.

The first of those went to super substitute Mike Greenhalgh – winger Reiss Walker adding his fourth goal – and the ten-point cushion was extended to a much-more daunting 14 points when centre Paul McCullough swept in with four minutes remaining.

A late touchdown by Mohamed Hammad, who had been drafted in when listed prop Judd Greenhalgh was a late withdrawal, left the Warriors celebrating a victory which had been launched by early tries by Robinson and McCullough.

Livewire hooker Cameron McDonald and dangerous centre Frank Kelly hit back before the break for the Army, Michael McDonald booting both goals.

But in between, Will Poching – who will certainly relish the opportunity to play against one of his father’s former Super League clubs – popped in for Wests.

Robinson’s second touchdown, improved by Walker’s third goal, left the Warriors 22-12 to the good at half-time and looking fairly comfortable.

And although flying winger Jeke Nukuse hit back for the Army as the hour beckoned, Michael McDonald again improving, the all-important final stages were dominated by the hosts.

GAMESTAR: Wests’ powerful second row Louis Robinson, whose two first-half tries helped force the Army into playing catch-up.

GAMEBREAKER: The Warriors’ rip-roaring finish, with three tries and no response by the visitors in the closing quarter.

MATCHFACTS
WARRIORS
1 Blake Nahu
2 Reiss Walker
3 Tama Gribble
4 Paul McCullough
5 Harrison Nichols
6 Jacob Thomas
7 Jack Payne
8 Louis Robinson
9 Neil Thorman
15 Mohamed Hammad
11 Ben Russell
12 Will Poching
13 Liam O’Callaghan
Subs (all used)
16 Max Devlin
17 Tyler Johnson-Thomas
14 Sam Griffiths
21 Mike Greenhalgh

Tries: Robinson (2, 36), McCullough (8, 76), Poching (19), Greenhalgh (63), Hammad (78)
Goals: Walker 4/7

ARMY
1 James Uluikavoro
2 Semisi Drauvaki
3 Joeli Varo
4 Frank Kelly
5 Jeke Nukuse
6 Aaron Houghton
7 Michael McDonald
8 Adam Hooper
9 Cameron McDonald
10 Joey Walker
11 Daniel Coombs
12 Jake Toher
13 Liam Lindsey
Subs (all used)
14 Sitiveni Vasutraga
15 Connor O’Brien
16 William Todua
20 Avetaia Rokosake