After becoming the first blind Rugby League player to successfully make a conversion at last year’s PDRL Finals Day, James King’s kicking exploits were once again going viral this weekend as the winger made two goals to help the Rhinos secure two wins out of three fixtures at Eastmoor Dragons.
It was a positive start to the season for the Rhinos, who were handed the arduous task of playing three fixtures back-to-back at the opening festival of the 2022 PDRL season, with clashes against hosts Wakefield Trinity, reigning champions Warrington Wolves and competition debutants Bradford Bulls all on the schedule.
In the opening game of the day, the Rhinos were unable to hold onto an early 6-0 lead courtesy of a Tommy Pouncey try, with ill discipline and wasteful attacks seeing them go down 12-6 at the hands of Wakefield. They responded in fine fashion though, taking down top dogs Warrington Wolves 16-12 in a thrilling game that saw the lead change hands four times, before Scott Gobin’s second score of the game wrapped up a huge victory in the dying moments of the game.
That set up a third and final match of the morning against PDRL’s newest team Bradford Bulls, where despite their inexperience the Bulls- aided with loan players from hosts Wakefield- put up a strong showing and played out a great game played in the right spirit, with the Rhinos eventually running out 18-6 winners thanks to tries from Aiden Miller, Tom Kaye and Nick Horner.
The real star of the show was King though, who once again proved impossible is nothing as he lined up to slot two conversions much to the delight of his teammates and spectators in attendance. His record still stands at 100%, going 3 from 3 as he continues to amaze and inspire others to follow their sporting dreams.
After becoming the first blind RL player to make a conversion last year, James King makes it from 2/2 with another great kick! What a champion! 👊💯#TeamRhinos | @TheRFL pic.twitter.com/8CnvyaIwRy
— Leeds Rhinos Foundation (@RugbyLeeds) April 2, 2022
After a really positive start to the season, the Leeds Rhinos PDRL team will take on Wigan Warriors and Castleford Tigers in the next festival, which takes place at Warrington’s Asics Victoria Stadium on Sunday 24th April.
For more information about our PDRL team, and details of how to get involved with the side if you would like to join us, please contact disability@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.
