Match Report

2022 Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup

25 October 2022 • KO 14:00

32 v 6

Victoria Park Arena, Warrington

Attendance:

Match Stats
6   Tries   1
4   Conversions   1
0   Penalties   0
0   Drop Goals   0

Match Report

England PDRL


Match report and photographs from Luke Reynolds.

The Wales Physical Disability Rugby League side put in a brave and battling performance in their second game of their World Cup campaign, but eventually went down 32-6 to a powerful English team.

On a bright and sunny Tuesday in Warrington, the Welsh team managed by Craig Fisher and Neil Lynch knew they would be in for a tough challenge against the competition favourites led by their coach Shaun Briscoe.

The Welsh PDRL team made a promising start against a strong English that had heavily defeated Australia 58-6 last time out.

It was Wales captain Ben Lewis leading by example with some fine tackles, but when Wales picked up a couple of early injuries, it was England that struck first with an outstanding clean-break solo try from Adam Fleming, which went unconverted.

Wales were clearly stung by the early home score and fought back with a great try from Chris Young which was well converted by Gareth Sullivan to give Wales a 6-4 lead.

Wales kept driving forward through Paul Jones and Dan Shaw, but after a fantastic end to end first period, England finished with two quick tries from Scott Gobin and Peter Clarke, the second converted by Darren Dean, to lead 14-6 at the break.

The second half saw an even opening 20 minutes play with the sides unable to get to the try line despite some fine breaks from both teams. Finally, as the Welsh tired, further scores came from England as a brilliant brace from Connor Lynes turned the match, running almost the length of the pitch on two occasions. Sam Zellar converted both and England were now 26-6 up. This changed the pattern of the game and in the last few minutes, the home team capitalised again to score through Scott Gobin after a fine Darren Dean break through the middle of the field. Dean converted again to complete proceedings.

Despite picking up early injuries, this was a brave and battling result for the Welsh PDRL team against a powerful England. The Welsh now move on to play Australia on Friday 28th October at 7pm, Victoria Park, Warrington knowing that if they win, they could have another crack against England in Sunday’s final.

New Zealand bounced back from their close defeat to Wales by beating Australia 34-26 in the day’s second game with Roko Nailolo scoring five tries for the Kiwis.

Team Lists and Scoring Information

England PDRL Tries Goals DGs Pts Cards
1 Darren Dean 2 4
3 Scott Gobin 2 8
4 Callum Parkinson
5 Nicholas Leigh
6 Adam Fleming 1 4
7 Sam Zellar 2 4
8 Adam Morris
10 Ben Nicholson
11 Peter Clarke 1 4
12 Harvey Redmonds
13 Tommy Pouncey
Substitute
15 Connor Lynes 2 8
16 Nick Horner
17 Mark Gummerson
18 Mike Addison
19 Nick Kennedy
20 John Clements
Wales PDRL Tries Goals DGs Pts Cards
1 Leif Thobroe
2 Robert Carpenter
3 Nick Harris
4 Gareth Sullivan 1 2
6 Isaac Pickett
7 Morgan Jones
8 Daniel Shaw
9 Connor Rice
10 Stewart Newton
11 Justin Martin
12 Dylan Hughes
13 Ben Lewis
Substitute
14 Paul Jones 1 4
15 Chris Young
16 Chris Spriggs
Time Score Player Team Action
2 0 - 4 Adam Fleming England PDRL Try
3 0 - 4 Sam Zellar England PDRL Missed Conversion
8 4 - 4 Paul Jones Wales PDRL Try
9 6 - 4 Gareth Sullivan Wales PDRL Conversion
11 6 - 8 Scott Gobin England PDRL Try
12 6 - 8 Sam Zellar England PDRL Missed Conversion
20 6 - 12 Peter Clarke England PDRL Try
21 6 - 14 Darren Dean England PDRL Conversion
22 6 - 14 Stewart Newton Wales PDRL Replacement On
22 6 - 14 Gareth Sullivan Wales PDRL Replacement Off
55 6 - 18 Connor Lynes England PDRL Try
56 6 - 20 Sam Zellar England PDRL Conversion
61 6 - 24 Connor Lynes England PDRL Try
62 6 - 26 Sam Zellar England PDRL Conversion
65 6 - 30 Scott Gobin England PDRL Try
66 6 - 32 Darren Dean England PDRL Conversion