WHEELCHAIR WORLD CUP – ENGLAND 78 WALES 32

WHEELCHAIR WORLD CUP

ENGLAND 78 WALES 32

By Mark A Jones and Josh Gardner in Pamiers, France

A second half yellow card for Wales didn’t help their Wheelchair World Cup cause against England as the men in white took advantage to cruise to a 78-32 victory.

Wales were on top for much of the game and went into the break 26-18 in front as they made England pay for their mistakes.

The Welsh put the first points on the board in the second minute courtesy of Andrew Higgins, this was closely followed by two Stuart Williams tries and Mark Williams finished off their first half try scoring. Andrew Higgins’ kicking was perfect in the first half as he converted all four of the tries and also scored a penalty.

In the second half England came back out fighting and came back level with back to back tries from Jack Brown, completing his hat-trick, and a second from Nathan Collins, who also scored three goals in the game.

Wales were still within reach of the win when around the 60th minute saw Andrew Higgins being sin binned for a hip thrusting tackle on Nathan Collins. Now down to four men, it gave England the chance they needed to pile on the points, scoring 15 tries in total in the game, despite some plucky defence by the remaining four.

Following Higgins’ return, Stuart Williams got his third try of the day and it was again converted by Higgins.

England’s other tries in the came from Sebastien Bechara who notched a hat-trick, three from Wayne Boardman, who also scored six goals, and one each from Joe Coyd, Ryan Richardson, Tom Halliwell and Jodie Boyd-Ward.

England coach Mark Roughsedge said: “The first half was extremely disappointing for us as a team but after coming together at halftime we went out in the second and did the job.

“We still have a few things to work on in training ahead of the Australia game but we will be ready.”

Wales coach Steve Jones said: “The pride and passion on display by the whole team was absolutely amazing and it was a privilege to be part of this monumental game. Cymru am byth.”

England will play against Australia on Monday in Saint Jory whilst Wales take on France. Both games are expected to be streamed live on Facebook.

ENGLAND: Sebastien Bechara (Catalan Dragons & Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Boyd-Ward (Leeds Rhinos), Wayne Boardman (Halifax), Harry Brown (Halifax), Jack Brown (Halifax) Captain, Nathan Collins (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Coyd (Medway Dragons), Tom Halliwell (Leeds Rhinos), Martin Lane (Medway Dragons), Ryan Richardson (Leeds Rhinos), James Simpson (Leeds Rhinos).

WALES: Mark Williams (Captain), Alan Caron, Claire Cranston, John Doyle, Andrew Higgins, Harry Jones, Gary Taylor, Stuart Williams (all North Wales Crusaders), Gary Preece (Hereford Harriers).

REMAINING FIXTURES (all French time)

24 July – St Jory – Scotland v Spain 14:00, France v Wales 16:30, England v Australia 19:00

25 July – Albi – 3rd Pool 1 v 2nd Pool 2, 4th Pool 1 v 1st Pool 2

26 July – Toulouse – Semi Finals

27 July – St Oren – Ranking matches

28 July – Perpignan – Final