Wheelchair Roundup vs NWC
11/07/2023
Sheffield Eagles 14 – 66 North Wales Crusaders
Sunday 9th July, 1.30pm KO
English Institute Of Sport, Sheffield
Betfred Wheelchair Championship
Sheffield Eagles put in a valiant display in the Betfred Wheelchair Championship against North Wales Crusaders, with the visitors fielding an experienced side with international experience.
The game marked an improvement on the Eagles’ performance earlier in the season with the deficit being significantly reduced as the red and gold build confidence.
Wales internationals Stephen Halsey, Lucie Roberts and Harry Jones scored all of the Crusaders tries, running up 30 points in the first half with Halsey kicking all 11 of his conversion attempts and adding a further 36 after the break.
But the Eagles were in no mood to be steamrollered, with some impressive defence improving from the sides’ previous clash and Ben Simpson scoring a peach in the first half before Chris Haynes’ brace in the second half, which marked a period of almost 20 minutes of the Eagles keeping a clean sheet against the visitors.
With two league games remaining for the Eagles, and fourth place already assured, the Eagles will be looking to improve on their play-off ranking against Rochdale Hornets away on Sunday 23rd July.
Sheffield Eagles
Vicky Brooks, Will Brooks, Stephen Reilly, Chris Haynes, Shaun Orton. Interchanges: April Brooks, Joe Wink-Simmonds, Ben Simpson, Jack Johnson, Lottie Davis-Browne
Tries: Ben Simpson (17), Chris Haynes (63, 77)
Goals: Joe Wink-Simmonds 0/1, Vicky Brooks 1/2
North Wales Crusaders
Harry Jones, Stephen Halsey, Mason Baker, Ricki Davies, Lucie Roberts. Interchanges: Johnathan Gill
Tries: Stephen Halsey (3, 48, 50, 59), Lucie Roberts (5, 14, 20, 44), Harry Jones (11, 62, 79)
Goals: Stephen Halsey 11/11
Referees: Becky Whiteley / Karli Wilkinson
Sheffield Eagles A 18 – 40 North Wales Crusaders A
Sunday 9th July, 11.20am KO
English Institute Of Sport, Sheffield
Betfred Wheelchair North Division
Sheffield Eagles A served up a close encounter with North Wales Crusaders A, further demonstrating the improvements the red and gold are making at all levels of their Wheechair club.
April Brooks opened the scoring with a trademark fly through space, but sadly for the Eagles it was the only score of the half with Shaun Orton missing the kick.
Crusaders powered forward with four first half tries, with Martin Turner on target with the boot to convert each to give a 4-24 lead.
The second half proved to be even, with both sides scoring three tries a piece, with Ben Simpson the star of the show for the Eagles with a brace with Joe Wink-Simmonds also adding his name to the scoresheet.
The A team have York away and Wakefield at home remaining in the league.
Sheffield Eagles A
April Brooks, Will Brooks, Shaun Orton, Ben Simpson, Jack Johnson. Interchanges: Lottie Davis-Browne, Stacey Roulson, Joe Wink-Simmonds, Lisa Kelly-Pride, Ian Pride
Tries: April Brooks (3), Ben Simpson (49, 56), Joe Wink-Simmonds (33).
Goals: Shaun Orton 0/1, Ian Pride 0/1, Ben Simpson 0/1, Joe Wink-Simmonds 1/1
North Wales Crusaders A
Martin Turner, Matthew Turner, Jess Booth, Wyatt Jones, John Doyle. Interchanges: Jack Atkins, Jakub Wasieczko, Sophie Bamford.
Tries: Wyatt Jones (8, 52), Jakub Wasieczko (12, 38), Martin Turner (25), Jack Atkins (36, 68),
Goals: Martin Turner 6/6, Jack Atkins 0/1, Wyatt Jones 0/1
Referees: Karli Wilkinson / Becky Whiteley
