Wales PDRL went into the game without a win over their old enemy and sadly for them, that record continued, as they lost 40-6 in a match that was closer in quality than the scoreline suggested.
England Community Lions PDRL took the lead in the third minute when Darren Dean fed Adam Fleming to dive over under the posts. He converted his own try.
Following a good period of Welsh attack, where they were unable to penetrate the England line, the visitors extended their lead. A good passing move saw Scott Gobin score in the corner. Fleming couldn’t convert.
Wales thought they’d got a try back on 22 minutes. From a penalty, Paul Jones dived over, but it was pulled back for a forward pass.
Then when they got the ball back, again they nearly scored, but one-armed Leif Thobroe was unable to catch the long pass that would have seen him clear to the line.
But England scored from the next set. Nick Kennedy made the metres and when he was tackled, the ball went over to Sam Zeller who scored in the corner. Fleming did well to kick the goal.
Then just before half-time, Darren Dean dived under the posts for England’s fourth try that Fleming duly converted to put the score onto 22-0 at the break.
England extended their lead within two minutes of the second half. Kennedy put Steven Bates through and he dodged his way over the line. Fleming couldn’t convert.
Wales weren’t having the rub of the green. Dylan Gimber thought he’d scored in the corner but he’d been tagged just before touching the ball down.
And when England attacked again, they scored, Kennedy rolling over to touch down and Fleming converted well.
But from kick-off, Wales finally had a try allowed, Thobroe celebrating his comeback with a half length of the field try that Morgan Jones improved.
England hit back straight away as Bates ran over for his second of the game but there was then a delay of around half an hour after Connor Lynes picked up a knock to the head. As he suffers from head injuries as part of his disability, he took some time for him to be made comfortable and be stretchered off.
When play got back underway, a quick Adam Fleming put the score up to 40-6.
Wales nearly had the final say, but Thobroe was pushing into touch as he dived for the line.
Wales: Leif Thobroe (unattached), Kieran Gardner (Salford Red Devils), Simon Kilday (Torfaen Tigers), Isaac Pickett (Leeds Rhinos), Chris Young (Leeds Rhinos), Morgan Jones (Torfaen Tigers, captain), Dylan Gimber (Torfaen Tigers), Paul Jones (Salford Red Devils), Chris Spriggs (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Justin Martin (Cardiff Blue Dragons), Tyma Hughes (Salford Red Devils). Subs: Ben Lewis (unattached), Paul O’Keefe (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Dylan Hughes (Salford Red Devils), Sam Bowditch (Torfaen Tigers).
England: Connor Lynes (Wakefield Trinity), Nick Leigh (Leeds Rhinos), Callum Parkinson (Wakefield Trinity), Scott Gobin (Leeds Rhinos), Nick Kennedy (Castleford Tigers), Darren Dean (Wakefield Trinity, captain), Adam Fleming (Wakefield Trinity), John Clements (unattached), Tommy Pouncey (Leeds Rhinos), Ben Nicholson (Wakefield Trinity), Mark Gummerson (Castleford Tigers). Subs: Sam Zellar (Leeds Rhinos), Wayne Cox (Warrington Wolves), Matt Hopton (Castleford Tigers), Steven Bates (Leeds Rhinos), Steve Mort (Wigan Warriors), Harvey Redmonds (Leeds Rhinos).
