BWhcSL: Round 9 Preview

It’s an exciting weekend ahead in the Betfred Wheelchair Super League as the Challenge Cup Finalists go head-to-head whilst two teams bring a weekend of double-header action.

Opening Saturday in their first battle of the weekend are Edinburgh Giants and London Roosters (18 July, KO 2pm and 19 July, KO 12pm). The pair last played in Round 4 of the 2025 season when the Roosters put on a dominant display against the Giants and won 66-22.

With a victory finally under their belt, the Giants will be hoping they can carry some of that confidence into Round 9 and narrow the scoreline when they taken on the Roosters twice in one weekend.

Saturday’s second game sees Betfred Challenge Cup finalists Halifax Panthers and Leeds Rhinos meet for the final time before they battle for silverware on Saturday 25 July (KO 3pm).

Panthers player Joseph Calcott, who has a strong family history with the sport, made the move to Rugby League after starting his career playing Wheelchair basketball:

“I got involved in Rugby League through my brothers.

“My brothers are Jack and Harry Brown, Jack Brown is obviously a fellow player for Halifax.

“They have been involved in Wheelchair sport their whole lives, Jack is a 2-time World Cup Winner with England, he went to the 2008 World Cup with Harry and they won the World Cup then.

“I got involved in Wheelchair Basketball, that’s what Harry now just plays, he stepped back from Wheelchair Rugby.

“He’s a Paralympian and has been to Rio, Tokyo and Paris so he’s focused on that.

“I played a bit of basketball because I enjoyed it a bit more at the time, and then for some strange reason I thought I’d give Wheelchair Rugby League a go, it must be 3 seasons ago now, which was ironically when my brother [Jack] was still living in Australia at the time.

“I don’t know why I joined when he decided to go to Australia, I’ve just totally changed to Wheelchair Rugby now because I enjoy it more than basketball.”

It’ll be another tough battle between the Panthers and Rhinos this weekend as tensions heighten ahead of the Betfred Challenge Cup Final next weekend.

“In the league we’ll get the job done, I know we’ll try and play our game as Wayne [Boardman] always tell us - if we limit our mistakes we’ll win,” added Calcott.

“We’ll see how this league match goes, I think it’ll give a good idea of what’s going to happen in the next match against them which will be the Challenge Cup Final.

“We know what they’re like, they’ve got really strong players like Nathan [Collins] and Josh Butler, but we always fancy our chances.”

Sunday sees Sheffield Eagles take on Wigan Warriors, two teams who have made a positive start to the season with a number of wins under their belts (KO 11:45am).

Both sides will be hoping they can add another two points to the strong results they’re racking up ahead of the play-offs.

The final game of the weekend sees Hull FC host Bradford Bulls (KO 12pm).

The pair met earlier in the season back in Round 5 when the Black and Whites got the edge over the Bulls despite some strong defensive efforts.

This weekend, Bradford will be looking to narrow the scoreline from that meet and prove they’ve got what it takes to overcome the side.

Betfred Wheelchair Super League Round 9 Fixtures:

Saturday 18 July

Edinburgh Giants v London Roosters – KO 2pm

Halifax Panthers v Leeds Rhinos – KO 3pm

Sunday 19 July

Sheffield Eagles v Wigan Warriors – KO 11:45am

London Roosters v Edinburgh Giants – KO 12pm

Hull FC v Bradford Bulls – KO 12pm