Rhinos Wheelchair through to Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final

Title holders Halifax Panthers will take on Leeds Rhinos in the Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final at Robin Park Leisure Centre on Saturday 25 July.

On Sunday (10 May), both sides battled hard to achieve two convincing victories over London Roosters and Wigan Warriors.

The first ten minutes looked promising for the Warriors who held together as a defensive unit to stop any attacks from the Rhinos coming their way.

But at the twelve-minute mark, Leeds’ Nathan Collins broke through their blockade to score in the left corner before making it over again when he collected a Tristan Norfolk chipped kick.  

The tension continued as the Warriors fought for a way through, not gaining any points until after the break when Oran Spain went over and took the game to 6-18.

Wigan gained temporary momentum, crossing back over the line soon after, leaving them 14 points behind with 20 minutes left to play.

But not before long, Jodie Boyd-Ward came crashing over to complete her hat-trick and leave the Rhinos firmly in control.

Nathan Roberts again tried to narrow the gap for the Warriors but it was too late as Norfolk sealed the Rhinos’ victory and their place in the Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup final at 16-36.

Facing the Rhinos will be Halifax Panthers who secured their spot after battling London Roosters in a repeat of last year’s final.

As expected, it was another tense match-up between the pair in a highly competitive game with big swings in momentum.

The Roosters came out strong building an 0-18 lead in the opening 20 minutes but the game’s momentum soon swung in Halifax’s favour as they capitalised on any opportunities that came their way and scored four consecutive tries to take the lead.

Going into the second half, the Panthers led at 34-24 and continued to take advantage of every break in defence to carry on building the gap between themselves and the Roosters.

Though the Roosters never gave up, battling hard to the very end, the Panthers proved too powerful finishing the game with twelve tries, seven of which were from Rob Hawkins who also had nine successful conversions.

Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final

Halifax Panthers v Leeds Rhinos – Saturday 25 July, Robin Park Leisure Centre