WALES beat UK Armed Forces in both games in a Wheelchair Rugby League double-header on Saturday at Wrexham University.
WALES 42 UK ARMED FORCES 24
WALES started their preparations for the autumn’s Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in Australia – and the forthcoming Celtic Cup against Ireland and Scotland in Edinburgh – in style.
UK Armed Forces had been edged 24-22 in November, but it was a different story this time as Stuart Williams helped himself to five tries, while Matthew Turner bagged a brace and Gary Preece kicked seven goals.
There were two tries each for the Forces’ James Simpson-Hill and Justin Wells, and Steven Sampher improved all four scores.
WALES: Jodie Boyd-Ward (Leeds Rhinos, capt), Stuart Williams (North Wales Crusaders/Edinburgh Giants), Matthew Turner (North Wales Crusaders), Gary Preece (Midlands Hurricanes), Lee Sargent (Cardiff Blue Dragons/Midlands Hurricanes). Subs: Brogan Evans (South Wales Jets/Wigan Warriors), Jonathan Gill (North Wales Crusaders), Mark Williams (South Wales Jets/Wigan Warriors), Jamie Reynolds (South Wales Jets/Midlands Hurricanes), Lucie Roberts (North Wales Crusaders)
UK ARMED FORCES: James Simpson-Hill (Leeds Rhinos), Steven Sampher (Hull FC), Tom Oates (Leeds Rhinos), Martin Lane (Edinburgh Giants), Karl Shepherd (Hull FC). Subs: Justin Wells (Castleford Tigers), Ash Lockwood (Castleford Tigers)
Referees: Kim Abel, Ewan Clibbens
WALES A 86 UK ARMED FORCES A 6
WALES A marked their first-ever game with a comprehensive victory in which 15 tries were scored.
Four went to Jason Reynolds, Lucie Roberts had a hat-trick, and there were two tries apiece for Jess Booth and Martin Turner (the latter adding eight goals).
Gary Preece scored a try and four conversions, Jamie Reynolds chipped in with a try and a goal and other touchdowns went to Lee Sargent and debutant Gareth Ramsey.
Karl Shepherd crossed for the forces and improved his own score.
WALES A: Gary Preece (Midlands Hurricanes, capt), Jess Booth (Cardiff Blue Dragons/Chester Gladiators), Lee Sargent (Cardiff Blue Dragons/Midlands Hurricanes), Jason Reynolds (South Wales Jets/Midlands Hurricanes), Lucie Roberts (North Wales Crusaders). Subs: Harry Mitchell-Jones (North Wales Crusaders), Jamie Reynolds (South Wales Jets/Midlands Hurricanes), Libbie Sargent (Cardiff Blue Dragons/Midlands Hurricanes), Gareth Ramsey (Sheffield Eagles), Martin Turner (North Wales Crusaders)
UK ARMED FORCES A: Ben Dunwell (Wakefield Trinity), Ash Lockwood (Castleford Tigers, capt), Stef Proietti (Castleford Tigers), Ben Wilson (Sheffield Eagles), Lee Halliday (Castleford Tigers). Subs: Karl Shepherd (Hull FC), Justin Wells (Castleford Tigers), Darren Walker (Bradford Bulls)
Referees: Kim Abel, Ewan Clibbens