photo by Mark Harris

On Saturday 18th October the annual under 18 regional carnival was held at Rochdale's Hopwood Hall with teams from Yorkshire, Cumbria, London, Scotland and Wales all participating.

Wales entered a strong squad, predominantly made up from the victorious team that won the European Championship in Prague. Wales played Scotland first and in a one sided game the big Welsh forwards dominated and under the control of Mark Wool, ran riot scoring eighteen tries.  There were strong performances from Ross Wardle, Rhys Fenton and Loren Quick all of whom crossed for a brace topped off with a superb defensive effort which saw the Welsh try line remain intact.

The second game saw Wales play a formidable Yorkshire regional team.  Despite having a quick around turn
 

between games the Welsh triumphed beating their English counterparts 12 - 0.  Dalton Grant, Jamie Tibbs and inspirational Captain Gill Dudson all put in outstanding with defence once again proving the difference.
 
Nine Welsh players have been selected to train with the twenty six man GB Community Lions squad and will play away France away on the 13th November.  They will then head to Dewsbury on 27th November to play their Australian counterparts with the season concluding with a trip down under to play the Australian Institute of Sport in June 2009.

Kriss Wilkes (Rhyl Coasters)
Dalton Grant (Crusaders Colts)
Loren Quick (Crusaders Colts)
Ross Wardle (Crusaders Colts)
Mark Wool (Crusaders Colts)
Gill Dudson (Crusaders  Colts)
Anthony Symmonds (Crusaders Colts)
Rhys Fenton (Crusaders Colts)
Jamie Tibbs (Crusaders Colts)
 
Wales U18's coach  Stuart Williams said "This is a tremendous achievement for the lads and Wales Rugby League.  With all the hard work they have put in over the season they have now been rewarded with the recognition they deserve"

article by Aled James
22 October 2008