Other Rugby League Internationals
European Championship match
http://www.rlef.eu.com/european_cup/report?RLE00000653
17th October 2015 venue: Albi Stadium, Albi
France 31
Tries: S.Robin (24) J.Sigismeau (30) T.Gigot (44, 74) T.Fages (50) K.Larroyer (78)
Goals: R.Marginet 3/4 Drop Goals: J.Boudebza (73)
Ireland 14
Tries: C.Dunne (18) B.Hargreaves (55) Goals: L.Finn 3/3
European Championship match
http://www.rlef.eu.com/european_cup/report?RLE00000654
23rd October 2015 venue: Netherdale, Galashiels
Scotland 22
Tries: Addy (22, 43), Toal (47), Ferguson (60) Goals: Brough 3/4
Ireland 24
Tries: Ambler (7, 34), Hargreaves (13), Grix (72) Goals: Finn 4/5
Full Match Report
A late try from Ireland fullback Scott Grix consigned Scotland to a 24-22 defeat in an entertaining Rugby League European Championship clash at Galashiels. After trailing at the break, a second half comeback edged Scotland ahead, but Grix’s late weaving score clinched victory for the visitors and consigned the Scots to their second defeat in this season’s competition, leaving them with no chance of retaining the title they won last year.
“When you have people like Bob Beswick, Liam Finn and Grixy it calms us down,” said Ireland coach Mark Aston. “I thought Will Hope was absolutely enormous for us as was Oliver Roberts. The pack of forwards worked really hard and that’s where the win was based. We got our just reward. “We had some domestic players on the bench so it’s a nice blend. They’re a good group and they don’t cause me any problems. We’ll have a bit of a celebration tonight and then a bit of a break.”
Ireland now join Wales and France on one win apiece, with those two sides set to meet in Cardiff this coming Friday.
Scotland started well, enjoying the better of possession and territory in the initial minutes, but it was Ireland who opened the scoring on their first real attack, Luke Ambler charging over from close range for a try next to the posts which was converted by Finn. An injury to James Mendeika led to a five minute stoppage shortly afterwards, with the Bradford Bulls man eventually being helped off the pitch after treatment, but it didn’t upset the Irish rhythm as they scored almost immediately when play restarted, with Brad Hargreaves going over in the corner after a break down the left.
Scotland hit back and after a strong run from Oscar Thomas earned them a penalty on the ten metre line, the ball was fed out wide to Danny Addy, who darted through a gap to touch down for an unconverted try. A high kick from Bravehearts skipper Danny Brough on to the Irish goal line created a chance on 30 minutes but despite desperate attempts by both Shane Toal and Richard Harris to get a hand on the ball, the chance went begging thanks to good defensive cover from Hargreaves.
Good Irish pressure then had Scotland on the back foot and, after a desperate tackle from Dale Ferguson, Scotland’s respite was only temporary as Ambler powered through for his second try next to the posts, leaving an easy conversion for Liam Finn.
The first half ended with Finn opting to kick for goal when Ireland were awarded a penalty just inside the Scotland half, the Irish captain increasing his side’s lead to 18-4 at the break.
The Scots needed a good start to the second half and within three minutes they reduced the arrears with a surging run from Brough taking them to within 20 metres, which created an opening for Addy to cross for his second try which Brough converted. It got better for Scotland four minutes later when Barrow’s Toal marked his full international debut with a try, going over in the right hand corner following a sweeping move, and Brough landed a difficult conversion from the touchline to bring Scotland back to within two points.
As the hour mark approached, a mazy run by Elliot Cosgrove took him past several challenges and to within a metre of the Scottish line, and when the ball came back Finn went over but was held up by good Scottish defence. Soon after, Scotland took the lead for the first time, with a Brough pass creating an opening for Dale Ferguson who weaved his way past two tackles and charged over for a fine score between the posts, leaving Brough with an easy conversion.
Seven minutes later, Scottish pressure almost brought another try on the last tackle, when an Oscar Thomas pass found Alex Walker in space on the left wing, but despite his desperate attempt to touch down in the corner, the referee ruled the ball had not crossed the line. Despite being on the back foot, Ireland landed the killer blow with what proved to be the decisive score eight minutes from time. A terrific break from Ben Johnston took him deep into the Scottish half and a fine pass inside sent Grix over for a try which Liam Finn converted to clinch a narrow win.
Scotland coach Steve McCormack noted: “The intensity in the first half wasn’t there. In international football you can’t dip your toe in and it was similar to the game in Wales last week. We gave ourselves a lot to do after the first half. In the second we were great though and young lads like Shane Toal, Richard Harris and Alex Walker did very well and will be better for that experience, but we don’t like being gallant losers.
“We looked after players like Bob Beswick in that second half and Liam Finn, but if you clock off at this level you get punished, and the only time we did, that showed.”
SCOTLAND
David Scott, Shane Toal, Ben Hellewell, Richard Harris, Alex Walker, Danny Brough, Oscar Thomas, Ben Kavanagh, Liam Hood, Jonny Walker, Sonny Esslemont, Dale Ferguson, Danny Addy, Joe McClean, Corbyn Kilday, Lewis Clarke, Harvey Burnett
IRELAND
Scott Grix, Brad Hargreaves, James Mendeika, Elliot Cosgrove, Casey Dunne, Ben Johnston, Liam Finn, Matty Hadden, Bob Beswick, Luke Ambler, Danny Bridge, Will Hope, Oliver Roberts, Callum Mulkeen, Graham O’Keeffe, Joe Keyes, Sean Hesketh
http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/rugby- ... 5-try-romp
The improvement of France at International level suffered a major blow at Leigh Sports Village Stadium on Saturday afternoon with England running in 15 tries to completely smash the visitors 84 - 4. It was always going to be a long night for France after England were up 18 - 0 after 8 minutes.
It was an embarrassing performance from France who promised so much and delivered so little. To add salt to the wound England broke their previous winning margin set against France back in 1996.
The win also set a new record for the biggest Test win by England with their previous record set 15 years ago when England smashed Russia 76 - 4 at St Helens in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
With the next Rugby League World Cup only two years away France will need to show massive improvement if they are to even make it out of the group stages of the tournament.
The display by England fired a warning shot across the bow of the Kiwis who they meet next Sunday in Hull in the first match of their three game Test series.
England 84
Tries: Watkins, Hodgson, Bateman 2, Farrell, Hall 2, Burgess, Ferres 3, Roby 2, Williams, Burgess Goals: Widdop 12
France 4
Tries: Arnaud
England: Hardaker, J Burgess, Watkins, Bateman, Hall, Widdop, Williams, Graham, Hodgson, Hill, Whitehead, Farrell, O’Loughlin. Subs: Roby, T Burgess, Cooper, Ferres.
France: Escare, Sigismeau, Baile, Jullien, Arnaud, Robin, Marginet, Bousquet, Boudebza, Maria, Larroyer, Perez, Simon. Subs: Kriouache, Springer, Boyer, Goudemand.
http://www.rlef.eu.com/other/report?RLE00000673
1st November 2015 venue: KC Stadium, Hull
England 26
Tries: Hodgson (21) Ferres (36, 59) O'Loughlin (77) Goals: Widdop 5/5
New Zealand 12
Tries: Harris (7) Moa (17) Goals: Luke 2/3
Full Match Report
England overcame a terrible start to claim a stirring 26-12 victory over New Zealand at the KC Stadium and draw first blood in the three-Test series.
Substitute back-row forward Brett Ferres scored two of his side's four tries, following up his hat-trick against France a week earlier, as England came from 10-0 down to secure a first win over the new world-ranked number one team since 2011.
The hard-fought victory went some way towards making up for their agonising defeats by the Kiwis in the 2013 World Cup semi-final and last year's Four Nations Series but England still have some work to do, starting at London's Olympic Stadium next Saturday, to build on this promising start.
The series got under way with a spectacular lights show but it was distinctly gloomy for the first quarter as the tourists set off at a tremendous pace. They were more vigorous in the tackle and caused all sorts problems for their hosts with their offload play, orchestrated by the excellent Peta Hiku, a centre who has been asked to perform the role normally carried out by England's regular scourge Shaun Johnson.
Hiku got second rower Tohu Harris charging through a gaping hole in England's defence for the game's first try on six minutes and 10 minutes later all eyes were on dangerman Roger Tuivasa-Sheck when the classy full-back popped out a neat pass for ex-Hull prop Sam Moa to crash over for a try on his old home ground. Issac Luke kicked one conversion to make it 10-0, which was an accurate reflection of the opening stages, and England needed two huge slices of good fortune to haul themselves back into the game.
The first came when an offload in the tackle by second rower Elliott Whitehead rebounded off the knee of full-back Zak Hardaker and hooker Josh Hodgson was on hand to pick up the loose ball and canter over for his first try for his country. Gareth Widdop added the conversion, the first of five goals from as many attempts, and, although Luke extended his side's lead with a 26th-minute penalty, England had a lucky escape when the video referees went against the inclination of match official Ben Thaler in disallowing a try from centre Jordan Kahu for an obstruction in the build-up.
England immediately made the most of the let-off, with Ferres taking George Williams' pass to romp into space and round Tuivasa-Sheck for his first try. Remarkably, England were level at 12-12 with Widdop's second goal and they could have been in front by half-time but for a tremendous last-ditch tackle on second rower Liam Farrell just short of the line.
The scores breathed new confidence into England's play, although the introduction of hooker James Roby had a lot to do with that too.Tom Burgess also made a big impact off the bench as England completed their re-awakening and a penalty from Widdop five minutes into the second half put them in front for the first time.
Steve McNamara's men turned the screw as the Kiwis began to lose their discipline and Ferres forced his way over from close range for his second try on 58 minutes, with Widdop kicking his fourth goal to make it 20-12. The game might have been over four minutes later had Whitehead been able to take Hodgson's pass as he charged for the line but the ball slipped from his grasp and England had to wait until the 77th minute to clinch the win, skipper Sean O'Loughlin bouncing off his opposite number Adam Blair to score his side's fourth try.
ENGLAND
Zak Hardaker, Joe Burgess, John Bateman, Kallum Watkins, Ryan Hall, Gareth Widdop, George Williams, James Graham, Josh Hodgson, Chris Hill, Elliott Whitehead, Liam Farrell, Sean O'Loughlin, James Roby, Thomas Burgess, Mike Cooper, Brett Ferres
NEW ZEALAND
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jason Nightingale, Jordan Kahu, Dean Whare, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Peta Hiku, Tuimoala Lolohea, Jesse Bromwich, Issac Luke, Sam Moa, Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris, Adam Blair, Kodi Nikorima, Martin Taupau, Ben Matulino, Sio Siua Takeiaho
Scooter wrote:European Championship match
Wales 14 defeated France 6
http://www.rlef.eu.com/european_cup/report?RLE00000655
30th October 2015 venue: Arms Park, Cardiff
Wales 14
Tries: Grant (27), Burke (46), Davies (51) Goals: Davies 1/3
France 6
Tries: Simon (73) Goals: Barthau 1/1
Full Match Report
Wales went one step closer to winning the 2015 European Championship on Friday night after another stunning display in attack and defence gave them a 14-6 win over France.
France hadn’t and still haven’t won a test in South Wales since 1948, this including a mauling at the hands of Western Samoa in Cardiff in the 1995 World Cup.
Early chances at either end but defences were on top in the first quarter of an hour. Both lines were pounded, Elliot Kear making one try saving tackle, while at the other end, Courtney Davies’ grubber was well collected. France thought they’d scored on 20 minutes in but a pass to the unmarked Jordan Sigismeau was so far forward it almost made the clubhouse.
Wales finally broke the deadlock on 27 after Dalton Grant intercepted a stray pass and ran 60 metres to score. Courtney Davies missed the kick. France criminally kicked a penalty that didn’t reach touch and was collected well by Rhys Williams. And with Wales attacking near to the end of the half, Christiaan Roets was a metre away from scoring as the whistle blew.
The home side extended their lead five minutes after the break as Joe Burke did well to receive the ball near to the sticks and force his way down through a pile of Frenchmen. Davies easily converted to make the score 10-0. It was a spectacular third try for Wales as Courtney Davies kicked a grubber and then ran around his marker to leap on it and score in the corner. He failed to land the conversion but it gave Wales a healthy 14-0 lead.
Wales continued with their heroics at the other end as Joe Burke stopped an unimaginative French attack. And when Connor Farrer ran well to leap onto a loose ball and then win a penalty, Wales thought of kicking for goal, but in the end ran the penalty but the move ended in a knock-on. More heroic Welsh defending stopped Benjamin Jullien from crossing, but the French persisted. They won a penalty a metre from the sticks but wasted their chance after penalised themselves for crossing when William Barthau had created a scoreable chance for Olivier Arnaud.
Wales continued to outwit their opponents ensuring that if they couldn’t score straight away then the clock would be used up. Straight out of the training manual, Davies kicked the ball out to give France a scrum, then as Theo Fages looked to run the ball out, he was forced into a goal-line drop-out by the combined force of Rhodri Lloyd, Ollie Olds, Steve Parry and Christiaan Roets. Again the Welsh defence continued to impress. 18-year old Port Talbot youngster Regan Grace made a mark on his debut with 10 minutes to go, picking up a Barthau grubber in the Wales goal area to deny les tricolours yet again. From the goal-line drop out, Rhys Williams nicely collected another standard kick to again stop the French from scoring.
Wales were seven minutes from their first clean sheet since the famous 68-0 hammering of Papua New Guinea in 1991 but the blues finally broke the wall of red as Mickael Simon scored under the sticks and Barthau quickly landed the extras.
But France didn’t have enough in the tank to get anything more and Wales go to Ireland next Saturday knowing that a draw or win will give them the trophy they last won in 2010.
WALES
Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams, Michael Channing, Christiaan Roets, Dalton Grant, Ollie Olds, Courtney Davies, Anthony Walker, Steve Parry, Craig Kopczak, Rhodri Lloyd, Lewis Reece, Phil Joseph, Morgan Evans, Connor Farrer, Joe Burke, Regan Grace
FRANCE
Morgan Escare, Jordan Sigismeau, Tony Gigot, Jean Philippe Baille, Olivier Arnaud, Théo Fages, William Barthau, Julian Bousquet, John Boudebza, Mickael Simon, Kevin Larroyer , Ugo Perez, Jason Baitieri, Stanislas Robin, Antoni Maria, Gadwin Springer, Benjamin Jullien