Wales win Danny Jones tribute match at Keighley
Wales ran out winners in the Danny Jones Memorial Match against Keighley Cougars, with a gate of over 1000 ensuring that more money was raised for the late player’s family.
The occasion was a fitting tribute to Jones, who sadly died of a heart complaint while playing for the Cougars earlier this season.
Sadly for Wales, Matty Barron suffered a broken leg during the game, but Wales coach John Kear was pleased nevertheless to have had his team play a full part in the occasion.
“The players played for nothing for Danny Jones’ family and the event was a worthwhile exercise all round,” he said.
“I was pleased with a lot of the individual performances there which is heartening for the future. I think I’ve had a lot of questions answered with this performance today. Definitely more answered than posers brought in.
“The very big downside was Matty Barron’s injury. He’s broken his tibia and fibula so it’s a clean break of two bones in the leg.
“It put a dampener on the game. Six minutes in and everyone was full of enthusiasm and I don’t think the game ever recovered from that.
“All the lads give them his best wishes but obviously it’s put an end to his European Championship campaign.”
Josh Hunt, Andy Gabriel, Hamish Barnes, Danny Lawton, Josh Casey, Liam Darville, Adam Brook, Scott Law, James Feather, Ryan Patchett, Olly Pursglove, Aaron Nicholson, Josh Lynham
Interchange: Scott Lee, Ross Peltier, Jamal Goodall, Alfie Seeley
Tries: Gabriel (22), Barnes (35), Peltier (65), Brook (74)
Goals: Lawton 2/4
Elliot Kear (London Broncos), Rhys Williams (London Broncos), Michael Channing (Castleford Tigers), Christiaan Roets (North Wales Crusaders), Dalton Grant (Dewsbury Rams), Courtney Davies (Gloucestershire All Golds), Ollie Olds (Souths Logan Magpies), Anthony Walker (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats), Steve Parry (Gloucestershire All Golds), Matty Barron (Newcastle Thunder), Rhodri Lloyd (Wigan Warriors), Lewis Reece (Gloucestershire All Golds), Craig Kopczak (Huddersfield Giants)
Interchange: Morgan Evans (Coventry Bears), James Geurtjens (Coventry Bears), Ricky Hough (Newcastle Thunder), Connor Farrer (South Wales Scorpions), Joe Burke (North Wales Crusaders), Regan Grace (St Helens), Rob Massam (North Wales Crusaders), Jamie Murphy (Gloucestershire All Golds)
Tries: Williams (4, 10), Channing (16), Hough (26), Evans (47), Davies (50), Farrer (77)
Goals: Davies 3/6, Hough 1/1
Referee: Gareth Hewer
Half-time: 8-20
Attendance: 1,106