Wheelchair Season Phase 2 starts
01/07/2022
The second phase of Sheffield Eagles’ Wheelchair Rugby League season gets under way this weekend when the side travel to Rochdale Hornets on Sunday 3rd July, 2.30pm KO at Rochdale Leisure Centre.
The Eagles remain in Championship North for the remainder of the season, with Mersey Storm who led the group at the end of the first phase being promoted alongside Championship South leaders Hereford Harriers who North Wales Crusaders, Hull FC and Warrington Wolves, who all drop of Super League, in the “Middle 5” competition, whilst Super League continues with four clubs – Leeds Rhinos, London Roosters, Wigan Warriors and Halifax Panthers – who are set to serve up some intense games, with the majority of the England squad playing for those four clubs, giving the national team excellent preparation ahead of the Rugby League World Cup which takes place in the Autumn.
Championship North and South both continue with teams playing the reverse of their first half fixtures, with the South group featuring Gravesend Dynamite, Torfaen Tigers, Woodlands Warriors and The Argonauts whilst Championship North will see the EAgles take on North Wales Crudsaders A, Bradford Bulls, Rochdale Hornets and Dundee Dragons. Having hosted the majority of the teams at home for the opening part of the season, the Eagles will travel away to Rochdale on 3rd July, to Bradford on 10th July and to Dundee on Saturday 20th August before closing the season at home to North Wales Crusaders A on Saturday 3rd September.
Greg Brown’s side will be aiming for a strong performance against Rochdale having matched the Hornets for much of their Peacock Cup encounter in May, with a strong list of Eagles available for the encounter. Lottie Davis-Browne misses her first competitive fixture with a broken wrist, while Stacey Roulson and Jenny Pearson are also both unavailable. The team have been practicing throughout June, with Sheffield Steelers Wheelchair Basketball Head Coach Maurice Hammerton attending a couple of sessions to help the team work on their mobility and wheelchair skills.
“It’s been nice to have a few weeks off and soak up the international games, but it’s going to be event better to be back playing,” said David Butler, who has been playing for the team since its inception.
“Having a full season of games is really important and whilst we are still chasing that elusive first win, the bond and team spirit within the group is unbreakable.
“We still have large numbers of people attending training and putting themselves forward for playing and we’ve been the focus of the Rugby League World Cup’s promotional work this week – as a club, we couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and there is so much more to come from this group!”
You can watch the video, featuring the Eagles Foundation and our Wheelchair side, here!
Eagles: April Brooks, Vicky Brooks, Will Brooks, David Butler, Chris Haynes, Jack Johnson, Shaun Orton, Stephen Palin-Campbell, Emma Pearson.
