Wheelchair Report | Leeds Rhinos (H)
11/03/2024
Sheffield Eagles 16 – 98 Leeds Rhinos
Sheffield Eagles welcomed Leeds Rhinos to Killamarsh Active for the first Wheelchair Rugby League activity to take place in Derbyshire and the East Midlands as both sides continued their programme of friendly fixtures in preparation for the season start.
The game was played in three 30-minute periods, with the first period seeing both sides field their best line ups, the middle period with a mix of players and the final period being focussed solely on players who will generally play for both teams’ “A” teams.
For the Eagles, it was a first chance to go head to head with a Super League side, with Leeds’ starting team featuring World Champions Nathan Collins and Tom Halliwell and RLWC Semi-Finalist Jodie Boyd-Ward, it gave the home side plenty to get stuck in to.
And get stuck in they did, completing their first set and forcing an error which saw Leeds camped on their goal line for the opening sets. A Nathan Collins brace put the visitors ahead, but Stephen Reilly’s score to the left of the sticks drew cheers from both sides to get the Eagles off the mark, with Ben Simpson calming adding the extras. Further scores from Nathan Mullhall and Ewan Clibbens kept the Rhinos on the charge and Vicky Brooks’ was unlucky to have a try ruled out which saw her find space from a Reilly offload. The Eagles rotated their squad quarter of an hour in, with Jenny Pearson coming close to a score, but unfortunately it was one-way traffic as Collins, Clibbens Mulhall and Jodie Boyd-Ward piled on further points to conclude the period at 6-60.
The second period the Eagles rotate through three line ups, with a mix of their two sides playing in each, whilst Leeds fielded just one of their Super League players around their “A” team players. It proved to be competitive and Pearson was first to score for Sheffield, completing a flowing right to left move that found her space in the corner. Joe Wink-Simmonds added the extras, but the remainder of the half belonged to the Rhinos as Charlie Wagstaff and Becky Wilkinson added further tries in a 30-minute period which saw both sides engage in an arm wrestle and show off their defensive skills.
Pearson was first to score in the third period as she broke away down field after a clever pass from Barry Grayson. Ian Pride was unable to add the extras. Pearson continued to menace the Rhinos, but Leeds were able to capitalise on some breaks downfield and some broken play to give Harrison Butler, Di Caley, Finaly Butler, Joel Dyer, Aiden Horsman and Charlie Wagstaff further scores to round out the game.
“It was our pleasure to host the Leeds Rhinos today” commented David Butler who took charge of the side as Head Coach Greg Brown was unavailable. “It was great to see both sides fielding 18 players each and to see so many players of all levels getting game time for their respective clubs. From our perspective, our players have had the chance to test themselves against world champion players and whilst there is an obvious gap, there were several positives to take from that period of the game and countless other positives to take from the whole game for both individuals and the team as a whole.
“Over the two games we’ve played against Leeds we’ve built a good bond and mutual respect and we look forward to working with them in the future on some other exciting developments to benefit the growth of Wheelchair Rugby League in our two great cities.”
Sheffield Eagles
Vicky Brooks, Stephen Reilly, Chirs Haynes, Ben Simpson, Will Brooks. Interchanges: David Butler, Joe Wink-Simmonds, April Brooks, Jenny Pearson, Lisa Kelly-Pride, Jack Johnson, Stuart Wilkinson, Stacey Roulson, Shaun Orton, Barry Grayson, Ian Pride, Julie Fimusanmi, Martin Turner
Tries: Stephen Reilly (7), Jenny Pearson (39, 64)
Goals: Ben Simpson 1/1, Joe Wink-Simmonds 1/1, Ian Pride 0/1
Leeds Rhinos
Nathan Collins, Nathan Mulhall, Ewan Clibbens, Tom Halliwell, Jodie-Boyd Ward. Interchanges: David Mitchell, Aiden Horsman, Becky Wilkinson, Charlie Wagstaff, Alan Taylor, Joel Dyer, Lois Harden, Harrison Butler, Finley Butler, Ben Coleman, Di Caley, Dawn Lennox, Cameron Harper.
Tries: Nathan Collins (4, 6, 22), Nathan Mulhall (10,20), Ewan Clibbens (13, 16, 18, 27), Jodie Boyd-Ward (23), Charlie Wagstaff (42), Becky Wilkson (54), Harrison Butler (66), Di Caley (75), Finley Butler (79), Joel Dyer (83), Aiden Horsman (85), Charlie Wagstaff (90)
Goals: Nathan Collins 10/10, Ewan Clibbens 1/1, Harrison Butler 1/2, Alan Taylor 0/2, Joel Dyer 1/1, Aiden Horsman 0/1, Dawn Lennox 0/1
Referees: Grant Jackson / Karli Wilkinson
Period 1: 6-60
Period 2: 12-70
Period 3: 16-98