There were positive results from both of Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Development Academy teams this week, although only one of them actually took to the field to play after the Boys College Cup Quarter Final with Wigan Warriors Development Academy was cancelled.
The Warriors were forced to pull out of the Quarter Final tie due to a significant number of injuries and illness within their squad, giving the Rhinos a 24-0 walkover win and a place in the final four of the national knockout competition.
It wasn’t quite as plain sailing for the Rhinos Girls Development Academy, although their comprehensive 56-16 victory over hosts New College Pontefract in their first fixture of 2022 represented a comfortable afternoon’s work against their West Yorkshire rivals.
There were plenty of positives for returning Head Coach Lois Forsell, who has been able to build on the great start made by interim Coach Ellis Pascall and stretch their unbeaten start to the season to a mightily impressive 10 games, 9 of those being wins.
A tougher test awaits next week however, with the Girls taking on a Warrington Wolves Development Academy team who are currently the only opposition they have failed to beat having drawn 16-16 at the first national Nines festival in Pontefract last November.
This time it will be on home soil, and the Rhinos girls will be looking to lay down a real marker with a statement victory at Kirkstall over a very strong Wolves outfit.
The same opponents also await the Boys, as their Warrington counterparts will make the journey across the Pennines for a friendly fixture which will have high expectations after the two sides played out a 40-42 thriller in the League less than a month ago.
Kick off times for both fixtures will be confirmed in due course- follow us on Twitter @RugbyLeeds for all the latest updates.
For more information about our Leeds Rhinos Development Academy- run in partnership with Leeds Sports Connect and Leeds City College- please click HERE.