Warrington Wolves have completed a double signing with the capture of another set of brothers to their professional ranks in the shape of Bridgend born twins, Ben and Rhys Evans.
The brothers started their rugby league careers in the rugby union heartland of South Wales. They are the latest set of players from the valleys to play for Warrington, joining a list that includes Jonathan Davies, Allan Bateman and Kevin Ellis amongst others.
The boys began their rugby league careers at Brynteg High School in Bridgend. The school has a strong rugby pedigree with Gavin Henson, Rob Howley and the great JPR Williams being amongst their famous alumni. The pair were scouted by Peter Farrell and Brian Chambers playing for their school at The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff at the 2005 Challenge Cup Final in the Champion Schools curtain raiser.
The move to Warrington Wolves’ Scholarship soon followed and the boys enrolled at Great Sankey High School and began playing for local side, Burtonwood Bulldogs.
The 16–year-old’s signed their first professional contracts under the watchful eye of their Headmaster Alan Yates – a former teacher of Wolves Owner Simon Moran.
Prop forward, Ben was delighted to agree his first professional contract in rugby league, he said: “It’s really great that we have signed a contract with Warrington’s Academy. It’s shown that three years of hard work has paid off. We
set a goal when we first came up here and that was to get signed and that has been achieved now, so it’s time to set a new goal and achieve that as quickly as possible. ”
His centre-playing brother, Rhys added: “It’s a real big deal for us. We’re at the bottom of the ladder now and we’ve got to work over the next few years towards 21’s and then hopefully on to the first team.”
Away from the rugby field the boys’ Headmaster, Alan Yates has paid tribute to the contribution the twins have made to their school and their success in achieving a professional contract with the Wolves:
“It’s fantastic, they are part of our family now after joining the school two years ago.” Said Mr Yates.
“The lads are good role models for school: They work hard and they play hard, they are good academically, in fact they are nothing but a benefit to the school. The fact that Ben is a house captain shows how highly he is thought of by his peers.”
Another Warrington connection with the school is maths teacher and former Wolves’ Prop Mark “the beast” Hilton.
Picture (L – R) PE Teacher John Caslake, Ben Evans, Hhad teacherAlan Yates, Rhys Evans, maths teacher and former Wolves prop Mark Hilton.
