After just one year since launching the club, Edinburgh Giants traveled to the Manchester Basketball Performance Centre to participate in their first ever Challenge Trophy one-day event. 15 teams participated in the group stages, with the winner of each group and the highest second place finisher qualifying for the semi finals. The two finalists would earn the right to play Super League opposition in the prestigious Challenge Cup.
With the Giants winning all 4 of their group matches against Rochdale (12-0), Hereford (18-11), Woodland (28-4) and Salford (22-0) respectively, they faced up against the winners and reigning champions of the past 4 competitions, Gravesend Dynamite. After Gravesend took the lead, the Giants came back to score a try through Calum Davidson and three penalties from John Willams. Winning the game 12-8 and reaching the final, where they were reunited with Hereford Harriers who beat Sheffield Eagles in the other semi-final.
The Giants after their semi-final success against the 4 times reigning champions Gravesend Dynamite.
Hereford started the game quickly, giving themselves a 10 point lead. The Giants settled into the game with tries from Connor Blackmore and David Hill and conversions by John Willans before Hereford responded to nudge themselves back in front. Cadyn Thomson was on the receiving end of a team effort to score a try in the corner that took the match into golden point extra time. In the cruelest of fashion, Hereford were quick to score the drop goal that brought the score to 16-17 and won them the competition.
The Giants and Hereford following the presentation of the medals and Trophy.
Proud club founder and coach Martyn Gill and his team of Calum Davidson, Cadyn Thomson, Sarah Devlin, Connor Blackmore, Mark Robertson, John Willans, Olivia Fulton, Cassandra Cooper and David Hill collected their finalist medals from Rugby Football League’s Wheelchair Manager, Martyn Coyd OBE. Edinburgh Giants will travel to York on the 4th of May to face London Roosters in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.
This is just the beginning for an incredible group of players, the majority of which had never played wheelchair rugby league before last year, reaching the pinnacle of their sport. The story continues…
The club would like to thank our Principal Sponsor Genista Energy and Control Pro for attending the event in person, ACs Travel for the excellent service in getting the team to the event and all of our player sponsors Jimmy Hendry UHI Inverness Lecturer Master Plumber, New Beginnings Assistance Dogs, Rugbystuff.com and REV Sports Massage & Body Work for making attendance at the event possible.
Photos and match report courtesy of Fiona Donaldson.
Kommentare