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Round 15 in Betfred league 1 for 2022 starts this afternoon with the Welsh derby between the Raiders and Crusaders at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli.

Last time out, North Wales kept hold of second place in the standings with a routine 46-16 win away at Midlands Hurricanes. Rob Massam and Jack Houghton both scored a brace each and along with single scores from Alex Eckley, Tommy Johnson, Chris Barrett and Matt Reid, the visitors eased home.

However, Anthony Murray’s men didn’t have it all their own way in the opening stanza and after 18 minutes, Liam Welham’s try, converted by Ben Stead, levelled the scores at 6-6. North Wales regrouped and by the half-time siren, led 28-6.

Midlands scored first after the turnaround as Welham bagged his second of the match. But hopes of a home comeback were extinguished by North Wales who appear to have recovered from their mid-season wobble, which resulted in consecutive losses to Keighley, Hunslet and Doncaster.

For West Wales, they will be looking to bounce back from a 54-6 drubbing at Hunslet in round 14. Recent Parksiders recruit Matty Beharrell led the home side superbly with two scores and seven goals while Macauley Hallett continued his rich vein of form with another brace.

Interchange Matty Stableford and full-back Jimmy Watson also matched the efforts of Hallett for Hunslet. Leeds winger Mackenzie Turner, who made two appearances on loan from the Rhinos to Cornwall earlier this season, also caught the eye and scored once.

The Raiders, who currently prop up the rest in the standings, did manage one consolation score five minutes from time through Jonny Hutton.

The remaining four games all take place tomorrow (Sunday) with Cornwall’s trip to league leaders Keighley Cougars kicking off at 1.00pm.

Rhys Lovegrove’s side sit top of the pile and they were due to face London Skolars in the capital last weekend. Due to a lack of medical cover, the game was cancelled and Keighley were awarded a 48-0 win.

Cornwall did play last weekend with Neil Kelly’s men defeated 44-10 at the Mem by in-form Doncaster.

In the searing Duchy heat, Cornwall were forced to play for 68 minutes with 12-men after hooker Luke Collins was sent off. Trailing 4-0 at this point, Cornwall did battle back to lead – Jack Ray with the try and Adam Rusling goaled.

That was as good as it got for Cornwall as Doncaster, led by the outstanding Watson Boas, seized control and scored four tries in eleven minutes before half-time.

The final word of the opening 40 did go to Cornwall when Rusling intercepted and the Hull Kingston Rovers loan star raced 70 metres to score.

After the turnaround, Cornwall defended with gusto and their line was not breached again until the 65th minute. And then, in the dying embers, Doncaster hoisted themselves over the 40-point mark thanks to Tom Halliday’s try.

Doncaster will be looking to make it five wins on the trot when they travel to the Vestacare Stadium to face Oldham. The Roughyeds hosted Rochdale in round 14 and were in commanding position after 40 minutes with a 24-6 lead.

But the Hornets delivered arguably the best second half showing seen in League 1 this season to score 44 unanswered points. This remarkable turnaround was led by Rochdale’s mercurial stand-off Rangi Chase who scored a brilliant hat-trick to lead his side to a 50-24 triumph.

The final two games in round 15 see Hunslet at home for a second successive week with London Skolars the visitors. 

The weekend’s fixtures are completed by Swinton Lions’ home clash with Midlands Hurricanes.

Betfred League 1 Round 15 Fixtures

Saturday, July 16

West Wales Raiders vs North Wales Crusaders – 3.00pm

Sunday, July 17

Hunslet vs London Skolars – 3.00pm

Keighley Cougars vs Cornwall RLFC – 1.00pm

Oldham vs Doncaster – 3.00pm

Swinton Lions vs Midlands Hurricanes – 3.00pm