Hawkins inspires Halifax to Wheelchair Challenge Cup glory

Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup finalHalifax Panthers (30) 46Tries: Brown, Hawkins (2), Boardman, Calcott, O'Neill, Holt, MartinGoals: Hawkins (7)London Roosters (16) 24Tries: Coyd, Penalty try, King, Billington (2)Goals: Coyd (2)
Reigning Golden Boot winner Rob Hawkins inspired Halifax Panthers to their first Challenge Cup final win for seven years.The England international scored two first-half tries and kicked seven conversions in total as London Roosters, in their first final, were kept at arm's length throughout a bruising encounter at Robin Park Sports Centre.Panthers dominated this competition in the past, winning the first four, but had not made the final since 2018.Hawkins, named the world's best player by the International Rugby League last year, also set up a try for fellow England player Jack Brown as the Yorkshire side ran in eight tries.Roosters hit back as Mason Billington, one of two London players involved in tomorrow's Future of England match to decide the squad for the Australia tour this autumn, scored two of their five tries.Roosters hit back as Mason Billington, one of two London players involved in tomorrow's Future of England match to decide the squad for the Australia tour this autumn, scored two of their five tries.Hawkins and Brown have already been selected for that squad and they combined beautifully to open the scoring, with 2019 Golden Boot winner Brown finishing after Hawkins' superb pass out of the back of his hand.Roosters' Joe Coyd is another who has already booked his place on the plane to Australia, and he hit back with a try.Panthers then eased to a 30-16 half-time lead as Hawkins scored twice inside six minutes, with Wayne Boardman and Joe Calcott also going over.Roosters stayed in with a chance, with Coyd forcing the award of a penalty try when he had his shirt pulled as he threatened to go over, and Lewis King cut the deficit with another just before the interval.Any doubt about the result was removed when Finlay O'Neill scored the first try after the break, and after Billington had somersaulted in for a spectacular try, Jordan Holt and Tom Martin set the seal on it, although Billington had the final say for Roosters with another powerful score.
London: King, Levy, Joe Coyd, M. Wass, C. Wass, Billington, Owen, Linden, Sawyer.Halifax: Boardman, Brown, Calcott, Hawkins, Holmes, Holt, Martin, O'Neill, Wright.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Sun

43 minutes ago

• The Sun

Galal Yafai reveals beatdowns he took from his older champion brothers knocked him into the fighter he is today

GALAL YAFAI reveals the beatdowns he took from his champion older brothers knocked him into the fighter he is today. Yafai grew up as the youngest boxer in the household and admits it was constant civil war at home older siblings Gamal and Kal. 4 4 4 He told SunSport: "My mum would come in screaming and shouting, we'd always end up fighting but I knew my place when you're like ten years old or nine years old. "Two-three years is a big difference. When they were 13-14 years old and I'm only just 10, it's a big jump. So yeah, I knew my position. I used to get beaten up on a little bit!" Despite taking his fair share of brotherly blows, Yafai admits the real wars came between Kal and Gamal. He said: "They were closer in age and I think they felt sorry for me a little bit because I was a little bit smaller than them. "They had the real big fights and my mum used to come out shouting and it was kind of like hillbilly style. It kind of helped us to get where we got to. "Kal was always better than me, Gamal was always bigger and better so I don't think I ever got the better of everyone really. "I could hold my own, well I could hold my own when I got a bit older, but I think they took it easy on me. "But they always helped me anyway, it helped in my career." Yafai trained as a teenager and watched his older brothers become amateur champions - later replicating that success in the professional ranks. The youngest of the pack only began boxing again at 18 but by 2021 he was on the Olympic champion after packing in his job working in a Land Rover factory. Boxing icon Tyson Fury spotted posing topless in Scots town as he chats with locals Now he is undefeated and 9-0 as a pro - meanwhile ex-world champ Kal, 36, is retired and Gamal, 33, now coaches the younger generation. But Yafai - who returns on Saturday against Francisco Rodriguez Jr in a bid to earn a shot at WBC and WBO champ Kenshiro Teraji - doubts brother Gamal will be part of his corner team - preferring he remains just a fan for now. He said: "My coach Rob McCracken sorts all that out and I just like my brothers being there. They help me just being there and showing me support and having my back. "My brother Kal's been in my corner before as like a second in America. But as long as Rob's in my corner and my brothers are there supporting me, yeah, I'm happy." 4

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

England football star Kieran Trippier and his wife 'to divorce' - after he broke his silence on their marriage split

English ace Kieran Tripper and wife Charlotte are divorcing, according to reports. The Newcastle United right-back revealed earlier this week that he split from his wife Charlotte more than a year ago. But a source said that the pair are definitely committed to making the separation permanent, the Sun has now reported. Trippier, 34, married Charlotte in Cyprus in 2016 and the couple have three children togther, Jacob, and two daughters, Esme and Isla. The source said: 'Charlotte has been open with her friends about getting a divorce. She has been seeking legal advice and is keen to move on with her life. 'Kieran is a devoted dad but as a partner it hasn't worked out as Charlotte had hoped. 'She has moved house and started anew, so getting a divorce has been the next logical step. Charlotte wants to keep things as amicable as possible with Kieran.' The 34-year-old football star said on Wednesday in a statement on Instagram stories: 'I feel I have no choice but to confirm publicly that myself and Charlotte separated over a year ago. 'Myself and Charlotte separated over a year ago. I have not commented previously as it is a private matter and we want to protect our children.' Kieran and Charlotte married in 2016 and sources say that they were keen to keep their split a secret so their kids would not have to deal with any upset. However, it has been reported that Charlotte has a new property where she lives without Kieran. Rumours of their split began during last year's Euros in Germany when Charlotte unfollowed her husband on Instagram on the end of the England's final group game. She also did not jet to Germany like other WAGs. She then posted a cryptic message on social media, saying: 'Sooner or later you get over the s*** you swore you'd never get over and it's the best feeling in the world.' Further posts included the caption 'the sun is shining, happy Monday', where Charlotte was seen sitting in the car listening to music while she waited to pick up her children from school. Meanwhile, the footballer, 34, was reportedly seen mingling in Ibiza with another woman this week. The Newcastle United player was spotted partying with Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry and her pals including Love Island star Jess Harding at Ushuaia club on the White Isle. The sportsman announced his retirement from international football in August last year - with MailOnline revealing how he wanted to to focus on life outside the game following his marriage breakdown. MailOnline has approached representatives of Kieran Trippier for comment, and also Charlotte Trippier.

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

The secrets of Nottinghamshire's remarkable rise: How an injection of youth, clever recruitment and the evolution of Haseeb Hameed has helped charge to County Championship summit

Halfway up the hill, Nottinghamshire are looking down on the rest of the County Championship. As first-class action returns to domestic cricket this weekend, even their most fervent fans would be forgiven for thinking the Division One table has been turned upside down.