Billy Griffiths interview

Billy Griffiths in action

Ask any athlete about their greatest achievement or biggest honour and most will say representing their country. Whether scoring the winning goal in a World Cup Final or winning a gold medal at the Olympics, international competition is the pinnacle of sport.

Through Student Rugby League, there are lots of great opportunities for players at university or college to represent their country. Someone who has been fortunate enough to wear the England crest on their shirt, and even tour with the Great Britain Pioneers is Huddersfield University student, Billy Griffiths.

He began playing Rugby League at the age of 14 after suffering a bad injury whilst playing football. Billy was told that he wouldn’t be able to kick a ball for a while so swapped the round shaped ball for the egg shaped one. The final year Product Design student played for his local amateur club Crigglestone All Blacks and is currently playing for his university.

It was through playing Rugby League at university that got him involved with the Great Britain Pioneers. “The Bradford Storm coach at the time spotted me when I played against Bradford for Huddersfield and he approached me, told me all about it and got me involved.”

“I went to Poland a couple of years ago and ended up getting the Man of the Tour award. Through getting that, I got asked to go back again.”

The objective of the Pioneers is help underdeveloped Rugby League countries to promote the sport with players and coaches providing tips to clubs, visiting schools and then playing sides in the country they visit. In 2013, Billy and the rest of the Pioneers toured Morocco where they came up against a few obstacles.

“I’m not sure of the ins and outs but the rugby union base in Morocco were trying to stop us spreading Rugby League because I think they were scared of us taking all the union players that they had been coaching and feeding money into. The police got involved and they tried banning some of our games which led to a lot of venues being changed and other problems.”

Billy’s passion for the game encapsulates what the Pioneers are all about. Despite some frustrations whilst on tour, he enjoyed the experience: “I love Rugby League so getting the sport out there in a positive way was brilliant. But it did get frustrating at times trying to coach basic skills. A lot of patience is needed but I really enjoyed the experience. To see how happy they were to play makes your day.”

“All the teams can’t wait to see us, they can’t wait to get involved. Both times I’ve been they’ve been more than welcoming, it’s just a brilliant experience all round.”

2013 was a big year for Rugby League internationally with the highlight being the World Cup in October. However, during the summer months there was a Festivals of World Cups which included competitions for students (men and women), police, armed forces and wheelchair.

While taking in part in trials for Yorkshire Students and subsequently playing in the Regional Championships, Billy was spotted by the coach of the England Students side. After a successful trial he was included in the squad for the Students Rugby League World Cup, something that Billy found really beneficial.

“It’s a very solid set up at England; it’s very professional with strict training regimes, strict gym regimes and strict diets, which I loved.”

“I’ve learnt so much playing for England, it’s one of the highest levels I’ve played at. To be able to challenge yourself and push your limits was really beneficial for me. It was also a chance to get amongst some really good players and coaches and learn off them and just to get a feel of a professional atmosphere too.”

Despite a disappointing end for the England Students in the World Cup Final; they were beaten 26-16 by Australia, there is so much for Billy Griffiths and other students playing Rugby League to look forward to in 2014.

“There’s a Great Britain Students tour taking place this summer which I’m hoping to be a part of. I’ve been picked to represent Yorkshire again and from that I’m hoping I will get picked to play in the Four Nations at the end of the year. There’s also the Pioneers tour to Ghana too.”

Huddersfield University vs Leeds Trinity Titans

Huddersfield University are now level on points with Leeds University 

Huddersfield University kept their title hopes alive after defeating West Yorkshire rivals the Leeds Trinity Titans.

In an error stringed game from both sides, Huddersfield scored five first half unanswered tries to steer towards two points to go level on points with Leeds University in the league table.

Billy Griffiths kicked three conversions out of a possible five whilst team-mate James Senkiw assisted two scores and went over for a try himself. 

Two tries in the second half from the Titans wasn’t enough to kick-start a comeback and cause a major upset.

It didn’t take long for the scoring to get underway, 13 minutes gone on the clock and Senkiw’s offload opened up some space for Thomas Dyson for an easy stroll to the try line.

A few minutes later, Senkiw was involved again.  His dummy down the right hand side followed by a short pass to second rower Bradley Wood sent him away to find Dan Roberts on his inside. He raced away for second quick score.

Huddersfield kept piling on the pressure in the first half and just before the half hour mark. Joe O’Byrne burrowed over from dummy half close to the posts.

The advantage of attacking downhill for Huddersfield was they could gather momentum and put their opposition on the back foot. Good work keeping the ball alive collectively from the Huddersfield outside backs on the right side allowed Jay Ryder to fire a long pass to Joe Woods who crashed his way over from a barnstorming run to the line.

The scoring from Huddersfield was complete just before halftime when Billy Griffiths sliced his way through Leeds Trinity’s defensive line, James Senkiw in support but he couldn’t make the angle for his kicker better as he was being chased down by a Leeds Trinity defender.

The Titans had the advantage of attacking downhill in the second half and put their advantage to good use as early as five minutes into the second half. Good work from the Titans to keep the ball alive created the opportunity for Conor Meese to barge his way over to get Leeds Trinity on the scoreboard.

It was a case of déjà vu for the Titan’s second try, like Huddersfield hooker Joe O’Byrne had done in the first half, Gary Cox the Leeds Trinity number nine went over from dummy half, but the conversion was unsuccessful.

The two scores from Leeds Trinity had galvanized them to cause an upset, however Huddersfield’s defence was too strong to prevent any extra scores from the away side.