Shaun Davies

Wrexham’s inability to turn early leads into decisive victories resurfaced in their draw at Cardiff, where Kieffer Moore scored early but the team conceded in stoppage time. Despite missing chances, Wrexham are creating opportunities and are expected to improve their finishing against Watford at The Racecourse, with the preview backing a Wrexham win.

Brickfield Rangers returned to the top of the table after defeating local rivals Gresford Athletic 5-0 at Clappers Lane. Bobby Beaumont opened the scoring before Gresford goalkeeper Ryley Berry was sent off just before half-time. Andy Vale scored a second-half hat-trick, with Josh Evans adding the fifth. Elsewhere, Newtown drew with Guilsfield, Bangor City 1876 beat Llanuwchllyn 5-0, and Rhyl 1879 defeated Caersws 4-2, while Bala Town’s match at Penrhyncoch was postponed because the pitch was unplayable.

Swinton Lions defeated North Wales Crusaders 60-10 in the Championship, with former Crusaders players Pat Ah Van, Gav Rodden, Josh Eaves and Reece Briers featuring for the winners. North Wales Crusaders scored twice through Connor Terrill and an additional unnamed player, while Swinton’s tries came from Aaron Lynch, Reece Briers, Charlie McCurrie, Ellis Anderson, Harry Higham, Jack Stevens, Josh Eaves and Adam Jones. The Crusaders also announced an agreement to make Bridgend’s Electric Brewery Field Stadium their permanent home, subject to Rugby Football League licence approval. The wider results included Leeds losing at home to Leigh, Wigan moving level with the leaders, and Super League confirming confidential formal investment interest from the Australian Rugby League Commission.

North Wales Crusaders have agreed a deal to make the Electric Brewery Field Stadium their first permanent home, subject to final Rugby Football League licence approval. The club has played at Eirias Stadium since 2021 and plans to trial a hybrid model with selected South Wales fixtures from 2027. Following the previous club’s collapse, a new ownership group operating as NW Rugby League 26 Limited has received membership approval through the end of the 2026 season, with future participation dependent on a comprehensive business plan and compliance with financial sustainability requirements.

The Division One cricket race for the top two remains open, with several teams still in contention. Leaders Llandudno travel to fifth-placed Gresford, while second-placed Pontblyddyn visit already-relegated Bangor Seconds. Halkyn aim for a 16th win against out-of-form Conwy, and other fixtures include Northop Seconds versus Mochdre Seconds, Connah’s Quay versus in-form Buckley, and Bethesda versus Abergele.

Buckley Town manager Dave Evans believes his side can recover from two opening defeats when they host in-form Porthmadog. Porthmadog arrive with six points after winning promotion the previous season, while Evans says Buckley must improve in both penalty areas and adapt to his style of play. He accepts responsibility for the team’s poor run, including just one win during the calendar year, as other matches across the league are also previewed.

Doncaster overwhelmed North Wales Crusaders 120-0 in the Rugby League Championship, leading 54-0 at half-time and continuing to score freely after the interval. Connor Robinson converted all 10 of his attempts and passed 2,000 career points, while Harvey Horne and Connor Jones each scored hat-tricks. The result strengthened Doncaster’s hopes of a top-four finish, while the wider weekend included major wins for London Broncos, Leeds, Warrington, Wigan and Hull.

North Wales Crusaders will host Doncaster in their next Championship fixture, with four games remaining in the season. Newly appointed chief executive Ben Evans said he aims to develop Welsh talent, create clearer pathways for young players and help establish a new era for the club. Doncaster, currently sixth with games in hand, are targeting a top-four finish and a place in the end-of-season play-offs. The article also outlines the weekend’s other Championship fixtures.

North Wales Crusaders chairman Jamie El-Kaleh has announced Ben Evans as the club’s new chief executive officer. Evans, a former Welsh international, is expected to help guide the club through its final four Championship matches and support plans to build a sustainable future for rugby league across Wales. The Crusaders next face sixth-placed Doncaster after a positive performance in their recent defeat to Goole Vikings.

Mold Alex travel to Guilsfield seeking their first three-point haul after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Caersws. Manager Barry Owen highlights the team’s improved second-half performance, returning players and positive mood, while praising Guilsfield manager Gavin Allen. Other fixtures include Newtown against Penrhyncoch, Porthmadog against Rhyl 1879, and Bangor City 1876 against Denbigh Town.

Brymbo travel to unbeaten St Asaph in a crucial top-two cricket clash, with St Asaph holding a 12-point lead after winning 11 of 12 matches. Brymbo captain Jason Underwood views victory as essential to reducing the gap, while St Asaph have added motivation after defeating Brymbo in a Flintshire knockout final. The weekend also features important matches for teams involved in the title and relegation races, including Mochdre, Menai Bridge, Gwersyllt Park, Mold and Bangor.

Pontblyddyn are second in the North Wales League with six games remaining and are aiming to secure promotion. Connah’s Quay and Halkyn remain in contention for a top-two finish, while leaders Llandudno face Northop Seconds. The article lists fixtures across Divisions One to Four, including promotion and title implications for teams such as Carmel & District and Brymbo Thirds.

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North Wales Crusaders chairman Jamie El-Kaleh has thanked supporters for standing by the club during a difficult period that included uncertainty over its future and a change in ownership. He said upcoming decisions about the club’s long-term direction will depend on realistic supporter numbers, commercial backing, community engagement and a sustainable business model. The August 23 Championship match against Keighley Cougars will be free to attend as a community day intended to demonstrate local support for professional rugby league. The Crusaders will also face Doncaster, Swinton Lions and Midlands Hurricanes before the season ends, following a 68–6 home defeat by Goole Vikings.

Wrexham will begin defending their Adran Premier League title at home against Aberystwyth Town on September 6. The fixture list also includes early-season meetings with Cardiff City, Barry Town United, The New Saints and Swansea City, with the phase-one campaign ending at Aberystwyth in January 2027. Wrexham won last season's title after beating Cardiff 4-1, with Katie Barker scoring a hat-trick, and subsequently made their European debut, defeating FC Pyunik before losing to Riga. Pre-season friendlies against Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also scheduled.

Buckley Town opened its season with a 4-2 home defeat to Denbigh Town. Buckley took an early lead through Aled Bellis, but Denbigh responded with two goals from Tom Kelly, a Nathan Brown penalty and a late strike from Ffranc Vaughan-Evans; Ben Guest scored a consolation penalty. Manager Dave Evans said his team created chances but needed to improve collectively in defence. Elsewhere, Bala Town beat Bangor City 1876 2-1 with a stoppage-time winner, while Holyhead Hotspur, Porthmadog and Acton also won, and Rhyl 1879 drew with Guilsfield.

Goole Vikings defeated North Wales Crusaders in a heavily one-sided rugby league match, leading 30-0 at half-time and adding seven more tries after the break. Jeylan Hodgson and Leroy Ncube each completed a hat-trick, while Matty Welham scored North Wales’ only try in a 68-6 loss. The match also featured the family coaching partnership of interim head coach Martin Fisher and his son, utility back Ben Fisher. Elsewhere, London Broncos maintained their perfect record with a 42-36 win over Widnes Vikings.

Stuart Simmons has been appointed head coach of North Wales Crusaders through the end of the 2028 campaign after serving as assistant coach under Carl Forster. He will take charge ahead of 2027, while Martin Fisher oversees the remainder of the current season. Club chairman Jamie El-Kaleh and general manager Conrad Anderson cited Simmons’s experience, continuity and connection with the club. Former Welsh international Ben Evans has also become the Crusaders’ chief executive, responsible for strategic development, commercial growth and new partnerships.

North Wales cricket league fixtures feature several important promotion and title clashes. Pontblyddyn aim to retain their Division One promotion position against Mochdre Seconds, while Connah’s Quay visit leaders Llandudno. The key Division Two match sees leaders Carmel and District travel to third-placed Marchwiel, with second-placed Pwllheli also seeking to close the gap. Bersham lead Division Three by 29 points, while Bala and Brymbo contest a closely fought Division Four title race.

Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward reflected on playing against his former club Liverpool at Yankee Stadium, where Liverpool won their pre-season friendly 1-0 through a deflected Rio Ngumoha goal. Ward highlighted the significance of Wrexham's progress and said the team could take plenty of positives into its final pre-season match against Sunderland in Philadelphia.

Kieffer Moore says Wrexham’s hard work and squad continuity are producing strong results after back-to-back victories over Premier League opposition. He praises the team’s cohesion, fitness and commitment while highlighting the club’s rapidly growing support in the United States. Wrexham’s pre-season tour concludes in Philadelphia against Sunderland, while Moore, Josh Windass and Sam Smith are long-shot contenders for the Championship Golden Boot.

Wrexham suffered their first pre-season defeat, losing 1-0 to Liverpool at Yankee Stadium in New York before more than 42,000 fans. Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha scored the decisive goal in the 75th minute when his shot deflected off Lewis Brunt. Wrexham created several chances but could not convert them, while both sides made extensive substitutions during the match.

Ben Evans, a former Welsh international who joined North Wales Crusaders as a player in 2024, has been appointed the club's new chief executive officer. He will oversee strategic development, expand the club's commercial portfolio and build partnerships across North Wales and beyond. The appointment follows a change in ownership intended to safeguard the club's future, although the Crusaders remain bottom of the Championship standings ahead of their match against Goole Vikings.

The Cymru football season is set to begin with debate over whether the second-tier Cymru North and Cymru South offer more excitement than the dominant Cymru Premier League. The New Saints have won 18 Welsh top-flight titles, including the last five, while Connah’s Quay Nomads remain their principal challenger. Airbus UK Broughton have added Jake Carroll and Brandon Diau as they prepare for a potential return to the top flight. Manchester United have also agreed a compensation deal to sign 19-year-old Welsh goalkeeper Kit Margetson from Swansea City, subject to registration.

Stuart Simmons has been appointed head coach of North Wales Crusaders for the 2027 season, with his contract running through the 2028 campaign subject to approval of a licence for the following season. He previously served as an assistant coach at the club, helping it reach the 2023 League One grand final and contributing to its title-winning campaign last season. Martin Fisher will manage the first team until Simmons takes charge, while the Crusaders prepare to face Goole Vikings in the Championship.

Kieffer Moore praised Wrexham's attacking performance after the club defeated Leeds United 3-2 in a pre-season friendly in Tampa. Moore scored in the opening minute, while Bailey Cadamarteri and Sam Smith also found the net. He highlighted the quality of the goals, the team's progress and the strong support Wrexham is receiving in the United States. The result followed a 1-0 win over Manchester United, with upcoming friendlies against Liverpool and Sunderland before the season begins with a Carabao Cup tie against Middlesbrough.

Wrexham defeated Premier League side Leeds United 3-2 in Tampa at the start of their U.S. pre-season tour, following a previous win over Manchester United. Kieffer Moore, Bailey Cadamarteri and Sam Smith scored for Wrexham. Manager Phil Parkinson praised the team's movement, finishing and response after conceding, while noting the difficult humid conditions. Wrexham will next face Liverpool at Yankee Stadium before concluding the tour against Sunderland in Philadelphia.

Wrexham Women head coach Jenny Sugarman said her side produced an excellent first-half performance in the Women's Champions League qualifying final against Riga. Lili Jones gave Wrexham a lead at half-time, but Riga's superior quality and individual talent—particularly Miyu Takahira—turned the match in the second half, resulting in a 4–1 victory for Riga and progression to the second qualifying round.

Wrexham defeated Leeds United 3–2 in Tampa during the first match of their three-game United States pre-season tour. Kieffer Moore gave Wrexham an early lead, Joel Piroe and Sean Longstaff twice levelled for Leeds, and Bailey Cadamarteri restored Wrexham's advantage before half-time. Sam Smith secured the victory with an 85th-minute goal assisted by Davis Keillor-Dunn.

Wrexham's women's team defeated Armenia's FC Pyunik 4-2 but failed to advance after a 4-1 loss to Latvian champions Riga. Wrexham led at halftime through Lili Jones's eighth-minute volley, but Riga scored four times in the second half through Minami Oi, Kumba Zainab Brima, Laura Kallase and Shiroi Kato.

Riga Women FC defeated Wrexham AFC Women 4-1 in the Women's Champions League qualifying final at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground. Wrexham took an early lead through Lili Jones, but Minami Oi, Kumba Zainab Brima, Laura Kallase and Shiroi Kato scored for Riga after half-time. The result ended Wrexham women's first European campaign, although they had earlier beaten FC Pyunik 4-2 to become the first Welsh team since 2018 to win a match in the competition. Glentoran defeated Pyunik 4-2 in the third-place play-off.

Wrexham AFC Women began their first UEFA Women's Champions League campaign with a 4–2 comeback victory over FC Pyunik at The Racecourse Ground. Midfielder Lili Mai Jones scored with a chip and described the occasion as a career highlight, while emphasizing that Wrexham must focus on the upcoming qualifying-round final against Riga. The winner will advance to a second preliminary round hosted by Danish side Køge.

North Wales secured a two-wicket win over Herefordshire Development in a two‑day cricket contest at St Asaph, driven by Jack Billington’s six wickets and key fifties from Harrison Jones, Ranija Abeysinghe and Richie Walker. St Asaph also won the Flintshire T20 knockout final by successfully chasing 202 against Brymbo, led by unbeaten runs from Will Ryan and Dan Evans.

Wrexham’s women’s team completed their final preparation for their Champions League debut with a heavy 5–0 defeat to Sporting Jacksonville, a match Jenny Sugarman viewed as valuable for conditioning, tactical development and exposure to higher physical standards. Sporting Jacksonville scored early and maintained pressure throughout, with goals from Paige Kenton, Baylee DeSmit and Andrea Fernández. Wrexham made multiple changes and created limited chances, the best coming from Lili Jones and Ava Suckley. The team now turns attention to hosting a Champions League qualifying mini‑tournament, beginning with a match against FC Pyunik.

Newcastle Thunder overpowered North Wales Crusaders 90–0, dominating from the outset with multiple tries from Andy Djeukessi, Jordan Lipp and others. The win keeps Newcastle within four points of unbeaten leaders London Broncos, while other Championship results included victories for Widnes, Midlands Hurricanes, Sheffield, Whitehaven, Halifax, Oldham and Doncaster.

Northop tightened the Premier Division title race with a seven‑wicket win over Menai Bridge, while St Asaph stayed top after defeating Gwersyllt Park. Brymbo moved into second place following a 76‑run victory over Denbigh, powered by a century from Dikshant Vairagi. Mold escaped the relegation zone with a dominant win against Hawarden Park, and Bangor curtailed Mochdre’s title hopes with a four‑wicket success. Scoreboards from lower divisions report additional results across Division Two, Three and Four.

Wrexham AFC Women have signed Welsh youth international and former Manchester United U21 captain Bella Reidford ahead of their Women’s Champions League campaign. Reidford expressed enthusiasm about joining the club and praised head coach Jenny Sugarman, who highlighted Reidford’s experience and technical ability. The midfielder previously played for Burnley and Stoke City, and Wrexham will face Sporting Jacksonville in their final friendly before meeting FC Pyunik in European competition.

Widnes Vikings secured a record-breaking victory over North Wales Crusaders with a dominant 116-6 performance in Colwyn Bay, strengthening their Championship play-off prospects. Multiple players delivered standout performances, including Danny Richardson and Frank Sargent, who both completed hat-tricks, as Widnes built a 44-0 halftime lead and continued scoring freely in the second half. The Crusaders managed a single converted try through Joe Bradley, but Widnes’ relentless attack ensured a comprehensive win and a league double over their opponents.

North Wales T20 cricket concluded with Brymbo securing second place behind Mochdre after victories over Bangor and Mold, driven by standout performances from Chris Taylor and teammates. Gwersyllt Park earned wins against Mold and Bangor, while Northop delivered the day’s highest total with a dominant partnership from Richie Walker and Sion Morris. St Asaph finished their campaign with a decisive 10‑wicket win over Menai Bridge, highlighted by unbeaten knocks from Kyle Williams and William Norman.

Spain secured their tenth European U19 Championship title with a 2-0 win over Germany in Wrexham, with goals from Hugo López and Mario Rivas. Wales exited after heavy defeats in a difficult group also featuring Denmark, who later qualified for the U20 World Cup by beating Italy on penalties. Germany reached the final after defeating Ukraine, while Spain overcame Croatia. Quim Junyent was named player of the tournament, and José Antonio Morante and Otto Stange finished as joint-top scorers.

Wales concluded their European U19 Championship campaign with a third group‑stage defeat, falling 3‑0 to Denmark after earlier losses to Spain and Germany. Coach Chris Gunter reflected on the experience, noting the developmental value for players while expressing disappointment at not making a greater impact. Denmark’s victory was driven by two goals from Olti Hyseni and a free‑kick from Hjalte Lærke. In Group B, Ukraine topped the group by defeating Italy, while Croatia secured a semi‑final berth with a win over Serbia. Semi‑finals will feature Spain vs Croatia and Ukraine vs Germany, with the final to be held in Wrexham and a World Cup play‑off between Denmark and Italy set for Bangor.

Wrexham Women are in Ireland for friendly matches against Cork City and Cork City U23s as they prepare for their first UEFA Women’s Champions League appearance. Head coach Jenny Sugarman says the trip helps shape the squad and simulate the tight turnaround of European fixtures. The team will face FC Pyunik in the first qualifying round on July 22.

Multiple North Wales T20 cricket matches featured strong batting displays, decisive chases, and notable individual performances. Brymbo secured two wins to move into second place, powered by Dikshant Vairagi’s rapid scoring. Northop, Hawarden Park, Menai Bridge, Mochdre, St Asaph, and Bangor each recorded victories in competitive fixtures. Additional results from lower-division matches highlighted dominant innings, effective bowling spells, and several tightly contested encounters.

Buckley and Pontblyddyn finished level after both teams reached 201 in a tightly contested Division One cricket match. Connah’s Quay secured an eight‑wicket win over Mochdre Seconds, while Halkyn, Northop Seconds, Llandudno and Conwy all recorded strong victories, highlighted by standout batting performances from Harrison Hudson and Elliott Hughes.