League 1: McNally hat-trick, Briers brace, Cornwall debut & a draw

Drew Darbyshire 03 Apr 2022 5:52 PM

Cornwall and Wales flags SWpix — Photo: John Clifton/SWpix

The second round of the League 1 season saw Cornwall RLFC make their rugby league debut as they took on Welsh opposition.

Rochdale Hornets bounced back from defeat in the opening round last week to win comfortably 52-12 against West Wales Raiders at Stebonheath Park.

Ireland World Cup hopeful Gregg McNally scored a hat-trick for the Hornets as well as Dan Dixon. Lewis Sheridan racked up a tally of 22 points having scored two tries and kicked seven goals.

North Wales Crusaders became the first recipients of the Celtic Shield after beating newcomers Cornwall 62-22 on their rugby league debut.

Crusaders raced into a 30-0 early on, but Matthew Turton made history as the first ever try scorer for Cornwall. The visitors started fast in the second half, and got three tries back to keep themselves alive in this contest. Reece Briers, son of Wales legend Lee, scored twice for the Crusaders.

IN PICTURES: Cornwall RLFC make their rugby league debut

It finished all square at the South Leeds Stadium as Hunslet came back in it to seal a 22-22 draw against Oldham.

Two tries from Jamaica international Wayne Reittie in the final quarter sealed a point for the hosts.

Keighley Cougars made it two wins from two as they beat Doncaster 26-6 at Cougar Park. Alix Stephenson, Charlie Graham, Lewis Young, Nathan Roebuck and Jake Webster all crossed the whitewash for Rhys Lovegrove’s side.

League 1 favourites Swinton Lions continued their strong start to the season as they won easily 54-16 at Midlands Hurricanes.

Swinton full-back Dan Abram finished the match with a personal points tally of 26 having scored two tries and kicked nine goals. Dean Meadows, Louis Brogan, Jack Spencer, Lewis Hatton, Lewis Charnock, Jordan Case and Mike Butt also scored for the Lions.