Match Report

Sian Golden at Llandovery RFC

England beat Wales 22-10 in a Physical Disability Rugby League international (PDRL) on Saturday in Llandovery in what was the first-ever home game for Wales in this discipline.

PDRL is an adapted version of rugby league aimed at giving those with physical disabilities the opportunity to play. It is a nine-a-side running format of the game, and is both full contact and touch, based on disability which is signified by the colour of a player’s shorts.

A vocal contingent followed both sides down to the Carmarthenshire countryside to support the game and the hosts started the game toe to toe with the visitors, but the world champions’ experience eventually told.

England opened their account through Scott Gobin crashing over in the corner. Adam Fleming missed the conversion.

Steve Bates had a carbon copy of the first try by scoring unmarked in the opposite corner, Fleming missing again.

Gareth Sullivan saw red which saw the hosts a man down approaching the half time whistle and England went into the break with an 8-0 lead.

They started the second half well as a fantastic length of the field run from Gobin led to his second try. Fleming converted.

Soon after that, Wales opened their account. Morgan Jones burst through the defence and converted his own try.

England hit back immediately through Callum Parkinson as he wormed through a gap in the Welsh defence, before Nicholas Leigh crossed the line in the far corner. Fleming both kicks.

Wales had the final say through Paul Jones who made a spectacular move to keep the ball within play and dotted it down.