BetFred 2022 Summer Bash

£3 

2022 

SUMMER 

BASH 

SATURDAY 30 & SUNDAY 31 JULY 2022 | HEADINGLEY STADIUM

2022 SUMER BASH | SATURDAY 30 & SUNDAY 31 JULY 2022 | HEADINGLEY STADIUM 

WELCOME 

FROM RFL CHAIR 

SIMON JOHNSON 

Welcome to the sixth Betfred 

Championship Summer Bash – a 

unique celebration of the special 

qualities of Rugby League 

outside the Super League. 

It is three years since the last 

such gathering in Blackpool, 

and we are at a new venue for 

the Bash at Headingley – a 

stadium rich in tradition, the 

location of so many wonderful 

and iconic sporting memories, 

on both sides of the Football 

Stand - and a venue which has 

been so superbly redeveloped 

in recent years to become an 

arena fit for champions. 

Almost all of the clubs involved 

this weekend have been involved 

in some famous matches and 

occasions at Headingley – and 

of course the ultimate goal 

for the leading lights in the 

Championship is to be returning 

here to face Leeds Rhinos in the 

Betfred Super League in 2023. 

But there will doubtless be plenty 

of twists and turns through the 

remaining weeks of the league 

campaign followed by the Top Six 

Play-Off series before promotion 

is secured at the Betfred 

Championship Grand Final on 

the first weekend of October. 

All that drama will be captured 

live by Premier Sports, whose 

regular Monday Night coverage 

of the Championship – and 

of a number of Challenge 

Cup ties – has been such a 

positive addition to the Rugby 

League landscape in 2022. 

Their light, entertaining and fun 

approach has done so much 

to bring the skill, passion and 

excitement of the athletes in the 

Championship to the attention 

of the sports-loving public. 

There are now regular 

opportunities to enjoy action 

from this level live on television – 

and it’s a real boost for the Bash 

to have all seven games live on 

Premier Sports this weekend. 

We are delighted that the fixture 

list for the 2022 Summer Bash 

is augmented by a match from 

the Betfred Women’s Super 

League – a special welcome to 

the players, off-field staff and 

supporters of Barrow Raiders and 

Featherstone Rovers, two clubs 

who have shown such support 

for the development of Women’s 

and Girls Rugby League. 

This is also an opportunity to 

express gratitude on behalf of 

the sport to Betfred, who have 

provided such outstanding and 

important support to Rugby 

League through the unique 

challenges of the last few years. 

Fred Done and his team have 

really been bitten by the Rugby 

League bug since their initial 

involvement with the Super 

League, extending their support 

initially to the Championship 

and League One competitions, 

and in recent years to the 

Women’s and Wheelchair game. 

Betfred will also be the principal 

partners of our three England 

teams – Men’s, Women’s and 

Wheelchair – in the Rugby 

League World Cup when it 

kicks off from October 15th 

with England Men’s Opening 

Fixture at St James’ Park. 

The city of Leeds will be a major 

focus, with three attractive 

fixtures from the Men’s 

tournament here at Headingley, 

followed by two double headers 

from the Women’s tournament 

– including the opening match 

between England and Brazil 

on Tuesday November 1. 

There will also be a Men’s Semi 

Final at Elland Road, which was 

the scene for such an enjoyable 

Betfred Challenge Cup triple 

header in the spring including a 

thrilling Women’s Final between 

Leeds Rhinos and St Helens 

in front of a record crowd. 

I hope all the supporters 

of Betfred Championship 

clubs here at Headingley 

this weekend join us in the 

celebration of Rugby League 

that lies ahead this autumn. 

But before that, I wish good 

luck to all the players, officials 

and supporters involved in the 

Betfred Championship Summer 

Bash. It is a great strength of 

Rugby League that we can come 

together for occasions such 

as this, as with Super League’s 

Magic Weekend, to enjoy the 

brilliance of the players and 

the camaraderie of the fans. 

Simon 

SIMON JOHNSON 

Chair of the Rugby Football League 

Rugby Football League, Quay West, Trafford Wharf Rd, M17 1HH | rugby-league.com 

Editor: Dave Swanton | Photography: Simon Wilkinson swpix.com, Getty Images Alamy 

Designed on behalf of the RFL by Ignition Sports Media ignitionsportmedia.com 

Printed by Stephens & George Print Group stephensandgeorge.co.uk 

3


LONDON 

BRONCOS 

1 SITIVENI MOCEIDREKE 

2 PAUL ULBERG 

3 JUDE FERREIRA 

4 PAULOS LATU 

5 ILIESS MACANI 

6 OLIVER LEYLAND 

7 RIAN HORSMAN 

8 WELLINGTON ALBERT 

9 DEAN PARATA 

10 LEWIS BIENEK 

11 WILL LOVELL 

12 RHYS CURRAN 

13 BRAD FOSTER 

14 CALUM GAHAN 

15 JORDAN WILLIAMS 

16 WILL BLAKEMORE 

17 ROB OAKLEY 

18 RONNY PALUMBO 

19 JACOB THOMAS 

22 ROB TULIATU 

24 MAX ALLEN 

25 BILL LEYLAND 

26 JUDD GREENHALGH 

27 JACK HOWORTH 

28 DALTON GRANT 

30 ADAM VRAHNOS 

31 ALEX WALKER 

32 BROCK PELLIGRA 

34 SAM DAVIS 

35 SAM HALL 

4


SHEFFIELD 

EAGLES 

1 JOSH GUZDEK 

2 BEN JONES-BISHOP 

3 CONNOR BOWER 

4 ROSS OAKES 

5 JASON BASS 

6 IZAAC FARRELL 

7 ANTHONY THACKERAY 

8 BRANDON DOUGLAS 

10 TYLER DICKINSON 

11 LIAM JOHNSON 

12 JOEL FARRELL 

13 EVAN HODGSON 

14 VILA HALAFIHI 

15 MIKEY WOOD 

16 BLAKE BROADBENT 

17 LIAM KIRK 

19 KRIS WELHAM 

21 RYAN JOHNSON 

22 MATTY CHRIMES 

23 BAYLEY LIU 

24 WILL WALLIS 

25 KADEEM WILLIAMS 

26 BEN SHEILS 

27 QUENTIN LAULU-TOGAGA’E 

5


BATLEY 

BULLDOGS 

1 Luke Hooley 

2 Perry Whiteley 

3 Kieran Buchanan 

4 Josh Hodson 

5 Johnny Campbell 

6 Ben White 

7 Tom Gilmore 

8 Adam Gledhill 

9 Alistair Leak 

10 Toby Everett 

11 Dane Manning 

12 Lucas Walshaw 

13 James Brown 

14 James Meadows 

15 Jack Blagbrough 

16 Michael Ward 

17 Luke Blake 

18 George Senior 

19 Tom Lillycrop 

20 Louis Collinson 

22 Dale Morton 

23 Josh Milthorpe 

24 Ben Kaye 

25 Connor Carr 

26 Nyle Flynn 

27 Aiden Ineson 

28 Oliver Burton 

29 Greg Johnson 

30 Martyn Reilly 

6


DEWSBURY 

RAMS 

1 Calum Turner 

2 Andrew Gabriel 

3 Adam Ryder 

4 Davey Dixon 

5 Lewis Carr 

7 Matthew Beharrell 

(on loan at Hunslet) 

8 James Beckett 

9 Reiss Butterworth 

10 Harry Kidd 

11 Jason Walton 

12 Michael Knowles 

14 Dominic Speakman 

15 Keenen Tomlinson 

16 Jordan Schofield 

17 Ross Peltier 

(on loan at Hunslet) 

18 Oliver Greensmith 

19 Jake Sweeting 

20 Aaron Hall 

21 Bradley Graham 

22 Jon-Luke Kirby 

23 Jon Magrin 

24 Dale Ferguson 

26 Jackson Walker 

27 Bayley Gill 

28 Ben Blackmore 

29 Robson Stevens 

31 Benjamin Mathiou 

32 Elliot Morris 

33 Connor Davies 

34 Jack Blagbrough 

40 Paul Sykes 

7


BRADFORD 

BULLS 

1 ELLIOT KEAR 

2 MATTY DAWSON-JONES 

3 RHYS EVANS 

4 KIERAN GILL 

5 RYAN MILLAR 

6 DEC PATTON 

7 JORDAN LILLEY 

8 ANT WALKER 

9 THOMAS DOYLE 

10 STEVE CROSSLEY 

11 AARON MURPHY 

12 SAM SCOTT 

13 BEN EVANS 

14 GEORGE FLANAGAN 

15 JORDAN BALDWINSON 

16 EBON SCURR 

17 BRAD ENGLAND 

18 SAMY KIBULA 

19 DAVID FOGGIN-JOHNSTON 

20 BILLY JOWITT 

21 ELLIOT HALL 

22 JOE BURTON 

23 BRADLEY HO 

24 AJ WALLACE 

29 DAN FLEMING 

30 CHESTER BUTLER 

32 SAMUEL HALLAS 

40 GEORGE FLANAGAN JR 

8


HALIFAX 

PANTHERS 

1 JAMES WOODBURN-HALL 

2 LACHLAN WALMSLEY 

3 GREG WORTHINGTON 

4 JOE ARUNDEL 

5 JAMES SALTONSTALL 

6 CORY ASTON 

7 JOE KEYES 

8 ADAM TANGATA 

9 BRANDON MOORE 

10 DANIEL MURRAY 

11 BEN KAVANAGH 

12 MATT GARSIDE 

13 JACOB FAIRBANK 

14 KYLE WOOD 

15 ELLIOT MORRIS 

16 WILL CALCOTT 

17 ED BARBER 

18 MATTY GEE 

19 ZACK MCCOMB 

20 BRAD KNOWLES 

21 TITUS GWAZE 

22 BEN TIBBS 

24 LOUIS JOUFFRET 

25 COLE OAKLEY 

26 JOE MARTIN 

31 KEVIN LARROYER 

9


FEATHERSTONE 

ROVERS 

1 BRANDON PICKERSGILL 

2 LUKE BRISCOE 

3 JOEY LEILUA 

4 CRAIG HALL 

5 GARETH GALE 

6 TOM HOLMES 

8 CRAIG KOPCZAK 

9 CONNOR JONES 

10 JAMES LOCKWOOD 

11 BRETT FERRES 

12 JESSE SENE-LEFAO 

13 JACK BUSSEY 

14 MATTY WILDIE 

15 JOHN DAVIES 

16 JUNIOR MOORS 

17 BEN HELLEWELL 

18 JOSH HARDCASTLE 

19 CALLUM FIELD 

20 MORGAN SMITH 

21 LIKE COOPER 

22 KYLE TROUT 

23 LOUI MCCONNELL 

24 JACOB DOYLE 

25 BAYLEY GILL 

26 ADAM CUTHBERTSON 

27 RYLEY JACKS 

28 MARK KHEIRALLAH 

29 JOHNATHON FORD 

30 BEN MATTHIOU 

31 TYLA HEPI 

32 SAM ESEH 

Dan fleming 

10


LEIGH 

CENTURIONS 

1 Caleb Aekins 

2 Jy Hitchcox 

3 Keanan Brand 

4 Nene Macdonald 

5 Tom Nisbet 

6 Ben Reynolds 

7 Joe Mellor © 

8 Adam Sidlow © 

9 Aaron Smith 

10 Mark Ioane 

11 Joe Wardle 

12 Sam Stone 

13 Tom Amone 

14 Chris Green 

15 Ata Hingano 

16 Ed Chamberlain 

17 Jacob Jones 

18 John Asiata 

19 Luis Roberts 

20 Kieran Dixon 

21 Edwin Ipape 

22 James McDonnell 

23 Krisnan Inu 

24 Kai O’Donnell 

25 Ben Nakubuwai 

26 Blake Ferguson 

27 Josh Charnley 

30 lachlan lam 

11


BARROW 

RAIDERS LADIES 

1 Michelle Larkin 

2 Sammy Norman 

3 Natalie Saunders 

4 Emily Stirzaker 

5 Christina Tully 

6 Bethan Pattinson 

7 Jodie Litherland 

8 Louise Clarke 

9 Leah Cottier 

10 Kerrie-Ann Smith 

11 Claire Hutchinson 

12 Vanessa Temple 

13 Demi Fisher 

14 Beth Lindsay 

16 Alice Rush 

17 Mia Dobson 

18 Kelly Friend 

19 Hannah Sherlock 

20 Kate Birchall 

21 Sarah Wilkinson 

23 Amy Sunderland 

24 Molly Wernham 

25 Meagan Byers 

26 Aimee Sharp 

27 Liv Sykes 

28 Abbie O’Brien 

12


FEATHERSTONE 

ROVERS LADIES 

1 FRAN COPLEY 

2 ELLIE LAMB 

3 CHLOE BILLINGTON 

4 GABBY HARRISON 

5 LUCY ATTREE 

6 DANIELLE WATERS 

7 OLIVIA GRACE 

8 SHANELLE MARRION 

9 CHARLEY BLACKBURN 

10 BROGAN CHURM 

11 AMIE BALCKHOUSE 

13 KATIE HEPWORTH 

14 KIRTSY DUFFIELD 

15 BROGAN KENNEDY 

16 JESSIE MATTHEWS 

17 COURTNEY PURSGLOVE 

18 MADDIE HIRST 

19 CHLOE NASH 

20 HEATHERS McDONALD 

21 SAMANTHA JORDAN 

22 NAT CARR 

23 HANNAH WATT 

24 DANEY JARRETT 

25 JESS LEE 

26 ZOE TEECE 

27 JASMINE HAZELL 

29 HAILEY SWANN 

13


BARROW 

RAIDERS 

1 Luke Cresswell 

2 Tee Ritson 

3 Declan Hulme 

4 Hakim Miloudi 

5 Shane Toal 

6 Jarrod Sammut 

7 Ryan Johnston 

9 Nathan Mossop 

10 Carl Forster 

11 Danny Langtree 

12 Jarrad Stack 

14 Jake Carter 

15 Dan Toal 

16 Tom Hopkins 

17 Charlie Emslie 

18 Bradd Crellin 

19 Connor Terrill 

20 Gary Wheeler 

21 Ellis Gillam 

22 Josh Wood 

23 Sam Brooks 

24 Anton Iaria 

25 Danny Morrow 

26 Ryan Shaw 

28 Brett Carter 

30 Connor Saunders 

31 Danny Wright 

32 Matty Costello 

35 Greg Burke 

14


WIDNES 

VIKINGS 

1 JACK OWENS 

2 OLLIE BROOKES 

3 JAKE SPEDDING 

4 STE TYRER 

5 RYAN INCE 

6 DANNY CRAVEN 

7 MATTY SMITH 

8 OWEN FARNWORTH 

9 MATTY FOZARD 

10 SHANE GRADY 

11 SAM WILDE 

12 ADAM LAWTON 

13 KENNY BAKER 

14 JOE LYONS 

15 AARON BROWN 

16 TYLER DUPREE 

17 LIAM BENT 

18 MATT FLEMING 

19 OLLY DAVIES 

20 LLOYD ROBY 

21 DEC GREGORY 

22 JOE EDGE 

23 WILL TILLEKE 

24 LEWIS HULME 

25 BRAD HOLROYD 

26 LEVY NZOUNGOU 

27 ERIBE DORO 

28 CALLUM FIELD 

29 JOSH JOHNSON 

30 KIERAN DICKSON 

31 LUIS ROBERTS 

15


WHITEHAVEN 

1 GERONIMO DOYLE 

2 DAVE ECCLESTON 

3 CHRIS TAYLOR 

4 WILL EVANS 

5 ANDREW BULMAN 

6 KARL DIXON 

7 NIKAU WILLIAMS 

8 LIAM MCAVOY 

9 CALLUM PHILLIPS 

10 TOM WALKER 

11 RYAN KING 

12 LIAM COOPER 

13 DION AIYE 

14 JAMES NEWTON 

15 CONNOR HOLLIDAY 

16 TOM WILKINSON 

17 ANDREW DAWSON 

18 GUY GRAHAM 

20 JAKE BRADLEY 

21 KIERAN HUDSON 

22 JOSH MARTIN 

23 ALEX BISHOP 

24 LUKE BROADBENT 

25 PERRY SINGLETON 

27 CURTIS DAVIES 

29 MARCUS WALKER 

Jason Quarequare 

16


WORKINGTON 

TOWN 

1 OSCAR THOMAS 

2 ALEXANDER CLEGG 

3 JOE BROWN 

4 ETHAN BICKERDIKE 

5 ALEX YOUNG 

6 JAMIE DORAN 

7 CARL FORBER 

8 CONOR FITZSIMMONS 

9 EVAN SIMONS 

11 WILLIAM TATE 

12 CAINE BARNES 

14 MARCUS O’BRIEN 

15 RHYS CLARKE 

16 MATTHEW HENSON 

18 DAVID WEETMAN 

23 DECLAN O’DONNELL 

25 JOHN HUTCHINGS 

26 CONNOR DAVIES 

29 CURTIS TEARE 

33 TOM WILKINSON 

17


NEWCASTLE 

THUNDER 

1 CRAIG MULLEN 

2 JACK JOHNSON 

3 JESSE DEE 

5 GIDEON BOAFO 

6 JAKE SHORROCKS 

7 JOSH WOODS 

8 NATHAN WILDE 

9 JOSH EAVES 

10 MITCH CLARK 

11 ALEX FOSTER 

12 BRAD DAY 

14 CONNOR BAILEY 

15 TED CHAPELHOW 

16 JAY CHAPELHOW 

17 UKUMA TA’AI 

18 DAN COATES 

19 PAT MORAN 

20 BRAD GALLAGHER 

21 LEWIS PEACHEY 

22 ALEX DONAGHY 

23 ISAAC NOKES 

24 JAKE ANDERSON 

25 NATHAN CLEMMITT 

27 JOSH MCDERMOTT 

36 ELLIS ROBSON 

39 OLLIE ROBERTS 

40 TYLER HEPPLE 

18


YORK CITY 

KNIGHTS 

1 MATTY MARSH 

2 JOE BROWN 

3 JAMES GLOVER 

4 JACOB OGDEN 

5 WILL OAKES 

6 BRENDAN O’HAGAN 

7 JAMIE ELLIS 

8 MASI MATONGO 

9 WILL JUBB 

10 JACK TEANBY 

11 CHRIS CLARKSON 

12 PAULI PAULI 

13 JORDAN THOMPSON 

15 RONAN DIXON 

16 MARCUS STOCK 

17 DANNY KIRMOND 

19 LIAM HARRIS 

21 TOBY WARREN 

22 MYLES HARRISON 

23 AJ TOWSE 

24 RONAN MICHAEL 

26 BRAD WARD 

27 LEVI EDWARDS 

28 BAILEY ANTROBUS 

29 JOE PORTER 

33 OLLY BUTTERWORTH 

34 TOM INMAN 

Ata Hingano 

19

ESPECT 

THE PLAYERS 

REFEREES & 

EACH OTHER 

RUGBY-LEAGUE.COM/ENJOYTHEGAME


women’s game returns 

to the summer bash 

As it did when Bradford took on 

Featherstone as part of the Bash 

in Blackpool, so this weekend’s 

carnival will feature a women’s 

game, as Rovers this time face 

Barrow in the Sunday opener. 

Women’s sport is a jewel in 

many different crowns these 

days, witness the excitement 

around the soccer Euros, 

which included some vibrantly 

atmospheric games at Leigh 

Sports Village, attracting a very 

different crowd demographic. 

A study by sports charity, the 

Women’s Sport Trust, revealed 

that the first quarter of 2022 was 

the most watched for women’s 

sport on record in the UK. 

A total of 15.1 million saw 

three minutes or more of 

coverage between January 

and March, compared to 

5.06m in 2021, and a previous 

peak of 10.2 million in 2019. 

The research also confirmed 

that women’s sport is not only 

increasing the quantity of 

viewers, but also that they are 

tuning in for longer, with the 

average viewing time per person 

across all women’s programming 

being 122 minutes, in comparison 

to 68 at this stage of 2021. 

The women’s game is one 

of the key reasons why IMG 

have signed a 12-year deal 

to invest in rugby league. 

It has massive potential, not 

least with a new continent 

represented at autumn’s World 

Cup with the debut of Brazil, who 

face England in the tournament 

opener double header here at 

Headingley with PNG Orchids 

then taking on Canada’s Ravens. 

The new world rankings after 

the mid-season internationals 

have seen another landmark 

passed, with 20 nations now 

officially playing, Tonga and 

USA the latest, and little now 

separates Australia, New 

Zealand and England’s women. 

The announcement of the 

qualifying details for the 

2025 World Cup also opens 

more opportunities, especially 

for women in Africa, who 

will have their first berth. 

In the Middle East Africa 

qualifying tournament in 2024, 

Cameroon, Ghana, Lebanon, 

Morocco, Nigeria and South 

Africa will play, with the 

overall winner qualifying. 

All eight nations participating in 

the autumn have prequalified - 

subject to meeting development 

criteria - and, in all, a further 20 

overall will contest the first-ever 

women’s qualifying competitions 

for the eight remaining positions. 

The New Zealand versus 

Tonga women’s Test attracted 

a league record attendance 

of 18,364 but the desperate 

need is to find significant 

commercial revenue to start 

getting more women paid. 

We are generating terrific 

athletes but the NRL is 

increasing to ten teams in 

2023, the Rugby Football Union 

has revealed a new ten-year 

strategy to professionalise 

the English top-flight women’s 

competition from the start of 

the 2023-24 season, and New 

Zealand women’s cricketers 

have signed an equity pay 

deal with their men across 

all formats in what is being 

hailed as a “landmark deal.” 

PHIL CAPLAN 

21


barrow raiders vs 

featherstone rovers 

match preview 

Women's Super League actions returns to the Summer 

Bash this weekend and Rugby League World editor 

LORRAINE MARSDEN takes a look at how Barrow Raiders 

and Featherstone Rovers are shaping up for the game. 

While all eyes might be on the 

three-way battle between York 

City Knights, Leeds Rhinos 

and St Helens at the top of 

the Betfred Women’s Super 

League Group One, there is just 

as an intriguing competition 

hotting up in Group Two. 

Featherstone Rovers and Barrow 

Raiders, who open day two of 

Summer Bash, have been joined 

by Warrington Wolves in what 

is looking like it could be a 

three-way battle for promotion 

to Group One. Bradford Bulls 

are just two points behind the 

top three teams, but they have 

so far failed to beat any of 

the sides above them, which 

could prove their downfall this 

year and ultimately end their 

hopes of earning a spot in the 

higher group next season. 

Since going down 6-32 to 

Warrington Wolves on the 

opening weekend, Barrow 

Raiders, who were promoted to 

Super League after finishing 

runners up in last season’s 

Championship, have gone on a 

six-match unbeaten run, and sit 

two points clear of Featherstone 

Rovers - once one of the most 

well known and successful 

clubs in the women’s game. 

However the Rovers, who were 

many people’s favourites for 

promotion at the start of the 

year, have faltered twice this 

year - once a 48-0 home defeat 

to a Michelle Davis-inspired 

Wolves, and more recently a 

14-10 loss to league newcomers 

Leigh Miners Rangers. 

Sunday will be the first time 

these two sides have met this 

season and very few would 

have predicted at the start of 

the season how hard it would 

be to separate the two sides. 

No doubt the experience of 

Vanessa Temple and Emily 

Stirzaker, who both won Super 

League with Wigan in 2018, 

has helped Barrow’s strong 

start to the season and they 

will be hoping that will once 

again inspire them to victory, 

but Rovers have plenty of 

experience of their own, which 

could also get them the win. 

With neither side benefitting 

from home advantage, it 

really will come down to who 

performs best on the day, and 

while the result may not prove 

to have a significant outcome 

on the whole season, on thing 

that is for sure is that day 

two of the 2022 Summer Bash 

will get underway in style. 

22


family affair 

It has been a difficult 

period for Mark Dunning’s 

Bradford Bulls and the 

play-offs have begun 

to fade from view. 

But amid the doom and gloom at 

Odsal has been a story to warm 

the heart of every Bulls follower. 

Two weeks ago, when Bradford 

faced London Broncos at 

home, 17-year-old academy 

product George Flanagan 

made a try-scoring firstteam 

debut at full-back. 

For a boyhood Bulls fans born 

and bred in Bradford, it was 

a special moment, but that 

he lined up alongside his dad, 

George senior, in the same team 

made it the stuff of fairytales. 

Bradford lost the game 30- 

12, but the story of a father 

and a son playing together 

was a special moment for 

the Flanagan family. 

Teenager Flanagan was asked 

to sign a professional contract 

with Hull Kingston Rovers, 

Castleford Tigers, Wakefield 

Trinity and Huddersfield Giants 

but instead chose Bradford. 

He played 80 minutes at fullback 

against the Broncos and 

said: “Scoring at Odsal, in front 

of all my family, friends and 

community club Birkenshaw was 

a proud and surreal moment 

– it was a dream come true. 

“It was a physical contest and 

London have some big middles 

and good outside backs, 

but I thought I went well. 

“To do it alongside my dad 

was special – I’ve followed his 

career since I was a kid and 

went to my first game when I 

was a couple of week’s old. 

“I’ve always been there 

watching him and his career 

has inspired me to become 

half the man he is.” 

“George started playing rugby 

when he was five, so it’s a 

journey we’re really proud of as 

a family,” said the 35-year-old. 

“He’s shown great commitment 

down the years and whenever 

I’ve played he’s been there, 

whether it be helping out the 

kitman or the ballboys. 

“The result was obviously 

disappointing on Saturday, 

but sometimes it’s got to 

be about more than that. 

“The feeling I got to play with my 

son was absolutely unbelievable 

– an unreal moment – and 

I had goosebumps when we 

were warming up and I heard 

his name getting announced 

in the starting line-up. 

“I thought ‘wow, this is really 

going to happen’ and he 

was absolutely brilliant. 

“But when he scored, the feeling 

was amazing and all the boys, 

who had been so supportive of 

him all week, jumped on him. 

“To have all my family and 

friends there supporting was 

really nice, but I have to credit 

George because his attitude 

and commitment has been 

phenomenal down the years. 

“He deserves everything he 

gets does the kid. George had 

a number of offers and we went 

to all those clubs to have a 

look around their facilities and 

they were all really welcoming. 

“We said ‘don’t just pick Bradford 

because it’s your boyhood club 

and on your doorstep, pick 

the club that’s right for you’. 

“He said ‘look dad, it’s always 

been my dream for play for the 

Bulls’ and he signed a twoyear 

professional deal because 

the club is in his heart. 

“He’s got about 18 months 

left and he’s enjoying 

his rugby right now. 

“He’s achieved his first goal of 

playing first-team for Bradford 

but the club will manage him 

carefully and not throw him 

into the limelight too much 

because he is only 17. 

“But the kid lives and breathes 

the game, whether that’s 

playing or watching. 

“As a father, his ultimate 

goal is to be at the top and 

I’ve no doubt that he will get 

there if he wants it because 

his attitude is fantastic. 

“I’ve tried to direct him with his 

fitness levels and dedication, 

but he’s already got a good 

head on him and he’s a real 

maverick with his skill set. 

“He knows what he wants in 

life and as a family we’ve just 

got to applaud George and 

support him as best we can.” 

Flanagan junior began his 

amateur career with Bradford 

Dudley Hill before joining 

Birkenshaw at Under-12 level. 

He now works for the Bradford 

Bulls Foundation delivering 

rugby sessions in schools and 

dreams of playing in Super 

League and even the NRL. 

“That’s the goal – to reach the 

top and play in a Grand Final or a 

Challenge Cup final,” added the 

teenager, who has represented 

Yorkshire this season. 

“Kalyn Ponga is someone 

I follow closely and I base 

my game on him. 

“John Bateman is a big 

inspiration to me as a Bradford 

lad who has played in Grand 

Finals, Challenge Cup finals 

and in the NRL too. 

“To play in the NRL one day 

is the dream because it’s the 

best competition in the world. 

“There is a lot of hard work 

ahead of me before that, though, 

and I need to keep my head down 

and keep ticking off the boxes.” 

ROSS HEPPENSTALL 

23

world 

CoMING To leeds 

THIs Is THe 

ellaNd road 

Men’s 

seMI FINal 

Fri 11 Nov 2022 

HeadINGley sTadIuM 

Men’s 

ausTralIa v FIJI 

Sat 15 Oct 2022 

Men’s 

JaMaICa v IrelaNd 

Sun 16 Oct 2022 

Men’s 

New ZealaNd v IrelaNd 

Fri 28 Oct 2022 

Women’s Double Header 

eNGlaNd v braZIl 

PNG v CaNada 

Tue 1 Nov 2022 

Women’s Double Header 

CaNada v braZIl 

eNGlaNd v PNG 

Wed 9 Nov 2022 

Adults from: 

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the world is coming to leeds 

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 is coming to 

Yorkshire in October and November and there is 

plenty for fans to get excited about with 32 of 

the 61 men’s, women’s and wheelchair fixtures set 

to take place across the county. 

Headingley Stadium will host seven matches, 

including the opening fixture of the women’s 

tournament which will see England take on a 

passionate Brazil team who will be making their 

first ever appearance at a Women’s World Cup. 

England’s players will be hoping to get their 

campaign off to a flying start as they aim to go 

one better than 2017 and make it to the final 

for the first time. Excitingly, interest in England’s 

fortunes is high, with over 5,000 fans already 

having bought tickets for the match, which is a 

record for a women’s rugby league fixture in the UK. 

Supporters coming to Headingley will also have 

the opportunity to see some of the greatest 

men’s players in the world as reigning champions 

Australia take on Fiji on Saturday 15 October, 

while 2008 winners, and three-time runners up 

New Zealand, will also play at the venue, against 

Ireland. The Irish will also take on Jamaica who 

are another side keen to make an impression 

in what is their tournament debut too. 

The grand old city of York will have a huge 

part to play in the women’s event with the 

LNER Community Stadium hosting six group 

games across three double headers. The venue 

will then hold both women’s semi-finals on 

14 November as four teams will go head-tohead 

for the opportunity to compete for glory 

at Old Trafford on Saturday 19 November. 

In South Yorkshire, Bramall Lane will host 

England men in their final group match against 

Greece, while the Wheelchair tournament, 

held alongside the men’s and women’s 

competition for the first time in history, will 

also visit the region with eight matches being 

played at the English Institute of Sport. 

Fans will be able to see tournament favourites 

France, who will be hoping to make it a hat-trick 

of titles after winning in 2013 and 2017, play all 

three of their group games at the venue, which 

will see them take on Wales, Scotland and USA. 

Back up to Leeds, and Elland Road will provide 

the atmosphere for the first men’s semi-final on 

Friday 11 November with a chance to compete for 

the famous Paul Barriere Trophy at stake in front 

of what should become a packed sell-out crowd. 

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 is set to be 

the biggest, best and most inclusive World Cup 

in the tournament’s long history and Yorkshire 

clearly has a huge part to play in its success. 

Get your tickets now, secure your place, 

and help create an atmosphere befitting of 

the world’s best rugby league players. 

25


FULL SCHEDULE 

MEN’S 

Sat 15 Oct England v Samoa 14:30 St James’ Park, Newcastle 

Sat 15 Oct Australia v Fiji 19:30 Headingley Stadium, Leeds 

Sun 16 Oct Scotland v Italy 14:30 Kingston Park, Newcastle 

Sun 16 Oct Jamaica v Ireland 17:00 Headingley Stadium, Leeds 

Sun 16 Oct New Zealand v Lebanon 19:30 Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington 

Mon 17 Oct France v Greece 19:30 Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster 

Tues 18 Oct Tonga v PNG 19:30 Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens 

Wed 19 Oct Wales v Cook Islands 19:30 Leigh Sports Village, Leigh 

Fri 21 Oct Australia v Scotland 19:30 Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry 

Sat 22 Oct Fiji v Italy 14:30 Kingston Park, Newcastle 

GROUP STAGES 

Sat 22 Oct England v France 17:00 University of Bolton Stadium, Bolton 

Sat 22 Oct New Zealand v Jamaica 19:30 MKM Stadium, Hull 

Sun 23 Oct Lebanon v Ireland 14:30 Leigh Sports Village, Leigh 

Sun 23 Oct Samoa v Greece 17:00 Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster 

Mon 24 Oct Tonga v Wales 19:30 Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens 

Tues 25 Oct PNG v Cook Islands 19:30 Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington 

Fri 28 Oct New Zealand v Ireland 19:30 Headingley Stadium, Leeds 

Sat 29 Oct England v Greece 14:30 Bramall Lane, Sheffield 

Sat 29 Oct Fiji v Scotland 17:00 Kingston Park, Newcastle 

Sat 29 Oct Australia v Italy 19:30 Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens 

Sun 30 Oct Lebanon v Jamaica 12:00 Leigh Sports Village, Leigh 

Sun 30 Oct Tonga v Cook Islands 14:30 Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough 

Sun 30 Oct Samoa v France 17:00 Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington 

Mon 31 Oct PNG v Wales 19:30 Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster 

Fri 4 Nov Quarter Final 1 19:30 John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield 

Sat 5 Nov Quarter Final 2 14:30 DW Stadium, Wigan 

Sat 5 Nov Quarter Final 3 19:30 MKM Stadium, Hull 

Sun 6 Nov Quarter Final 4 14:30 Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington 

Fri 11 Nov Semi Final 1 19:45 Elland Road, Leeds 

Sat 12 Nov Semi Final 2 14:30 Emirates Stadium, London 

Sat 19 Nov Men's Final 16:00 Old Trafford, Manchester 

26


WOMEN'S 

Tue 1 Nov England v Brazil 14:30 Headingley Stadium, Leeds 

Tue 1 Nov PNG v Canada 17:00 Headingley Stadium, Leeds 

Wed 2 Nov New Zealand v France 17:00 LNER York Community Stadium, York 

Wed 2 Nov Australia v Cook Islands 19:30 LNER York Community Stadium, York 

Sat 5 Nov England v Canada 12:00 DW Stadium, Wigan 

Sat 5 Nov PNG v Brazil 17:00 MKM Stadium, Hull 

GROUP STAGES 

Sun 6 Nov New Zealand v Cook Islands 17:00 LNER York Community Stadium, York 

Sun 6 Nov Australia v France 19:30 LNER York Community Stadium, York 

Wed 9 Nov Canada v Brazil 17:00 Headingley Stadium, Leeds 

Wed 9 Nov England v PNG 19:30 Headingley Stadium, Leeds 

Thu 10 Nov France v Cook Islands 17:00 LNER York Community Stadium, York 

Thu 10 Nov Australia v New Zealand 19:30 LNER York Community Stadium, York 

Mon 14 Nov Semi Final 1 17:00 LNER York Community Stadium, York 

Mon 14 Nov Semi Final 2 19:30 LNER York Community Stadium, York 

Sat 19 Nov Women's Final 13:15 Old Trafford, Manchester 

WHEELCHAIR 

Thu 3 Nov Spain v Ireland 17:00 Copper Box Arena, London 

Thu 3 Nov England v Australia 19:30 Copper Box Arena, London 

Fri 4 Nov France v Wales 11:00 EIS Sheffield, Sheffield 

Fri 4 Nov Scotland v USA 13:30 EIS Sheffield, Sheffield 

GROUP STAGES 

Sun 6 Nov England v Spain 12:00 Copper Box Arena, London 

Sun 6 Nov Australia v Ireland 14:30 Copper Box Arena, London 

Mon 7 Nov France v Scotland 17:00 EIS Sheffield, Sheffield 

Mon 7 Nov Wales v USA 19:30 EIS Sheffield, Sheffield 

Wed 9 Nov Australia v Spain 11:00 Copper Box Arena, London 

Wed 9 Nov England v Ireland 13:30 Copper Box Arena, London 

Thu 10 Nov France v USA 11:00 EIS Sheffield, Sheffield 

Thu 10 Nov Wales v Scotland 13:30 EIS Sheffield, Sheffield 

Sun 13 Nov Semi Final 1 12:00 EIS Sheffield, Sheffield 

Sun 13 Nov Semi Final 2 14:30 EIS Sheffield, Sheffield 

Fri 18 Nov Wheelchair Final 19:30 Manchester Central, Manchester 

27


Sir Lindsay Hoyle 

to succeed Clare 

Balding CBE as RFL 

President for 2023 

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of 

Commons and MP for Chorley, will become the 31st 

President of the Rugby Football League for 2023. 

He will succeed Clare Balding 

CBE, who has held the honorary 

position since July 2020. 

The decision was ratified at 

July’s meeting of the Rugby 

League Council in Huddersfield 

– with Sir Lindsay’s term to 

begin after the next Council 

meeting on December 22. 

Sue Taylor, the Chair of the 

British Amateur Rugby League 

Association (BARLA), has 

started an 18-month term as 

Vice President, succeeding 

Mike Smith – who will take 

a new role as Deputy Vice 

President for the next six 

months to include the Rugby 

League World Cup, following 

its postponement from 2021. 

RALPH RIMMER, THE RFL 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE: 

I’m personally thrilled that Sir 

Lindsay has accepted the 

invitation to serve as the RFL 

President for 2023, and delighted 

that the Rugby League Council 

shares that enthusiasm. 

He has been a passionate 

advocate for Rugby League 

for many years, more than 

ever since his election as 

Speaker, and combines that 

passion with great knowledge 

of all aspects of the sport. 

Clare Balding will be a tough 

act to follow, and I know she is 

relishing the Rugby League World 

Cup this autumn – so we are 

thrilled that in Sir Lindsay, we 

have such a worthy successor. 

We’re really looking 

forward to working even 

more closely with him. 

SIR LINDSAY HOYLE: 

I have been a Rugby League 

fan all my life – I think it’s an 

absolutely fantastic sport 

– so it is a real honour to be 

asked to be RFL President. 

Since my father introduced 

me to the game, I have loved 

the fast pace, high collision 

nature of Rugby League, but 

also its vital role in bringing 

communities together and 

developing upcoming talent. 

This autumn’s Rugby League 

World Cup – with the Men’s, 

Women’s and Wheelchair 

competitions running alongside 

each other - gives us an 

opportunity to showcase the 

best players and the best 

sport in the world to an even 

bigger audience. I can’t wait! 

366 rugby 

league 

stories 

for a mere 

12 quid! 

The League Express writer 

and former editor of Rugby 

League World magazine, 

Richard de la Rivière, has 

written and published a 

new book entitled, ‘Rugby 

League: On This Day’. It is 

his third book on the sport. 

Ranging from 1866 to 2022, 

the stories include many 

of the great matches that 

define the sport’s wonderful 

history while the author 

also explores the careers of 

dozens of the legends who 

have graced rugby league 

fields all over the world. 

There is a smattering too of 

highly unusual tales, such as 

the Wakefield Trinity legend 

who opened his League 

Express one day only to 

discover his own obituary. 

Other stories involve the man 

who found the World Cup, 

a three-eyed fish, a bomb 

scare, a bolt of lightning, 

the death of a tribal chief, 

a horse-riding accident and 

the Queensland coach who 

was offered the job whilst 

dressed in stockings and 

suspenders for a tv sketch. 

28


De la Rivière 

(pictured 

left) also 

underlines 

the impact 

made 

through 

rugby 

league’s 

history 

by black 

players – 

not only the 

high-profile 

Billy Boston, 

Clive Sullivan, Ellery Hanley, 

Des Drummond, Martin 

Offiah and Jason Robinson, 

but also on such oftenforgotten 

pioneers as Lucius 

Banks, Jimmy Peters, Cec 

Thompson and Green Vigo. 

Here we are at the annual 

Summer Bash, a festival 

involving the best teams 

from outside Super League. 

There are stories in the 

book involving all the clubs 

in action this weekend as 

well as many from League 

One and several great clubs 

who are sadly no longer in 

existence like Carlisle Border 

Raiders, Mansfield Marksman, 

Blackpool Borough and 

Runcorn Highfield. There 

are also stories about the 

women’s game, as well as 

student, wheelchair and 

amateur rugby league. The 

tales from the last two dates 

in July concern the St Helens 

player’s tooth which became 

embedded in the arm of an 

opponent and an international 

match that took place in the 

unlikely setting of Venice. 

The Summer Bash, of course, 

is a recent innovation. The 

book features many key 

moments from rugby league’s 

past including the switch to 

13 aside, the cup final moving 

to Wembley, limited tackles, 

the ten-metre rule and the 

formation of Super League. 

DAVE SWANTON 

‘Rugby League: On This 

Day’ is available on eBay by 

searching for the title and at 

Philip Howard Books in Leeds 

and the St Helens Book Stop. 

img provide update 

on strategic 

partnershp and 

focus for the sport 

Representatives from IMG 

recently provided an update 

on the strategic partnership 

with Rugby League and their 

focus areas and vision for the 

sport. The immediate focus 

areas include competition 

structure, brand, digital 

strategy, and preparation for 

the next broadcast cycle. 

Extensive consultation has 

begun with key stakeholder 

groups notably clubs, players 

– including the Rugby 

League Players Association 

through the GMB - coaches, 

supporters, media and 

broadcast representatives, and 

international bodies. This is in 

addition to IMG’s own internal 

knowledge and expertise. 

It is expected that 

recommendations 

encompassing aspects of all 

the above will be presented 

to clubs this autumn. 

Planning is also continuing 

in relation to ‘Phase 2’ of 

the partnership including 

streaming through Endeavor’s 

OTT platform Endeavor 

Streaming and data 

collection, betting product 

development and streaming 

rights via IMG’s sports data 

and betting technology 

business IMG ARENA. 

The IMG update followed 

the completion of the longform 

agreements for the 

realignment of the governance 

of the sport. The Board of the 

sport’s new commercial arm 

is expected to be in place 

by the end of September 

2022 and the company fully 

operational by 1 January 2023. 

The recent meeting of the 

Rugby League Council was 

also informed that the RFL 

have formalised the sport’s 

relationship with Nujum 

Sports, who have been 

appointed Advisors to Rugby 

League on Muslim Inclusion. 

The Council were also updated 

on three projects through which 

the RFL will provide further 

support to the governance 

and business operations of 

clubs, in each case supported 

by DCMS funding delivered 

by Sport England following 

successful bids by the RFL. 

CLUB BOARD DIVERSITY 

Expanding the diversity 

of skills and backgrounds 

represented on professional 

club Boards. As phase one, 

10 clubs will be selected to 

receive direct support with 

recruitment. As a second 

phase, a toolkit will be provided 

to benefit the whole sport. 

CLUB DIGITAL LEARNING HUB 

The development of an 

online education platform 

covering a range of areas of 

importance to clubs and the 

sport and designed to benefit 

all involved in Rugby League. 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

SUSTAINABILITY 

A review of the RFL, all 

professional clubs and 

a sample of community 

game clubs, to be followed 

by recommendations for 

improvements with a focus 

on those that have financial 

benefits. The RFL have 

engaged BASIS (the British 

Association for Sustainable 

Sport) as environmental 

sustainability consultant 

to lead on this project. 

29


£3 

£3 

£3 

£3 

£3 


SUMMER 2022 


BASH SUMMER 

SUMMER 2022 

BASH SUMMER 2022 

BASH 

BASH SUMMER 

BASH 

SATURDAY 30 & SUNDAY 31 JULY 2022 | HEADINGLEY STADIUM 





Order your 

souvenir 

copy now! 

If you want a printed copy of this 

weekend’s Summer Bash official 

matchday programme, a limited 

number of copies will be available 

from Ignition Sports Media - 

www.ignitionsportsmedia.com. 

Orders will be mailed out first-class 

the first working day following any 

order placed. 

Only £3 + P&P 

match officials 

London Broncos v Sheffield Eagles 

Referee: James Vella | Touch Judges: Tommy Gibbs, 

Aaryn Belafonte | Reserve: Luke Bland | 

MC: Tony Randerson | TK: Paul Hewitt 

Batley Bull Dogs v Dewsbury Rams 

Referee: Nick Bennett | Touch Judges: Kevin Moore, 

Simon Ellis | Reserve: Luke Bland | MC: Dave Milburn | 

TK: Mark Hebblethwaite 

Halifax Panthers v Bradford Bulls 

Referee: Mike Smaill | Touch Judges: Gareth Jones, 

Denton Arnold | Reserve: Peter Parker | 

MC: Paul Hewitt | TK: Tony Randerson 

Featherstone Rovers v Leigh Centurions 

Referee: Liam Moore | Touch Judges: Liam Rush, 

Richard Thompson | Reserve: Peter Parker | 

MC: Gerry Kershaw | TK: Dave Milburn 

Womens SL | Barrow Raiders v 

Featherstone Rovers 

Referee: Tommy Gibbs | Touch Judges: Matty Clayton, 

Aidan Rhodes | Reserve: Carl Hughes | 

MC: Gerry Kershaw | TK: Mark Hebblethwaite 

Barrow Raiders v Widnes Vikings 

Referee: James Child | Touch Judges: Sam Jenkinson, 

Mark Craven | Reserve: Kevin Moore | 

MC: Steve Williams | TK: David Milburn 

Whitehaven v Workington Town 

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas | Touch Judges: James 

Vella, Alan Billington | Reserve: Tommy Gibbs | 

MC: Mark Hebblethwaite | TK: Gerry Kershaw 

Newcastle Thunder v York City Knights 

Referee: Liam Rush | Touch Judges: Warren Turley, 

Lewis O’Brien | Reserve: Kevin Moore | 

MC: David Milburn | TK: Steve Williams 

30

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