Friendlies round-up: Midlands Hurricanes first game & Barrow’s derby win
Midlands Hurricanes v York City Knights. Photo courtesy of Midlands Hurricanes.
Midlands Hurricanes featured in their first ever game with three friendlies taking place over the weekend.
Midlands Hurricanes featured in their first ever game since their rebrand from Coventry Bears. They travelled to York on Friday night, falling to a 46-6 defeat at the LNER Community Stadium.
AJ Boardman scored the club’s first ever try, with preparations continuing ahead of their first ever competitive fixture. They travel to Rochdale in round two of the Challenge Cup.
York try-scorers included new signings Olly Butterworth, Liam Harris and Masi Matongo, while Jamie Ellis converted seven goals.
Barrow win in first test of 2022
Barrow defeated Workington 24-12 at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium in both the club’s first tests of 2022.
Both sides won promotion to the Championship for the 2022 campaign, with Paul Crarey’s side lifting the League Leaders’ Shield at the end of 2021. Workington won promotion through play-offs, defeating Doncaster 36-12 in the final.
France international Hakim Miloudi started in the halves for the Raiders. New signings Danny Langtree, Ellis Gillam, Sam Brooks, Ethan Kelly and Anton Iaria also featured for Barrow.
New face Oscar Thomas started at full-back for Workington and opened the scoring. However, tries from Ryan Shaw, Miloudi, Langtree and Gillam saw victory for the home side.
Batley defeat Bradford
In the third pre-season of the weekend, Batley defeated Bradford 28-22 at Odsal.
Matty Dawson-Jones was named on the wing for the Bulls, while Kieran Gill and Sam Scott made their first appearance since their moves in the off-season.
For Batley, it was the first appearances for Perry Whiteley, Josh Hodson and Louis Collinson.
Scott opened the scoring, with Dec Patton landing his first points in Bradford colours. However, the Bulldogs came from 12-0 behind for victory. Tries from Jonny Campbell (2), Lucas Walshaw, George Senior and Luke Hooley secured the win for the visitors.
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