European Championship 2003

Match Report

by STEVEN BIRCHALL

England A will go into the European Nations Cup final undefeated after recording a convincing 22 - 4 victory over the Welsh Dragons in the final group A match played at Headingley in Leeds. England A made the ideal start for the home team in the match, scoring just after 80 seconds of play when Matt Diskin raced onto a grubber kick from Rob Burrow. Danny Tickle added the extras and the English were up 6 - 0.

England's second try came through winger Ade Gardner who went through almost untouched after collecting a long cut-out ball from Jamie Rooney to put the English up 12 - 0.
Wales hit back in the 32nd minute when Mark Lennon took advantage of a Paul Sykes mistake to gather the ball and dive over.

Wales went close to scoring again through Adam Hughes, Jordan James and Lenny Woodard, but they just were not able to finish off their plays effectively, with either the scrambling defence of England just stopping them, or the Dragons just losing control of the ball when it counted the most.

England were far more successful in their attack, with Danny McGuire racing 50 meters to add his mark to the match, and Diskin collecting his second try after the Lenny Woodard mistake which almost saw Wales over the line.

England will now take on the French in the final to be played at Wilderspool Stadium in Warrington.

Source: WalesRL.co.uk