29 Sep 2015
England claim Euro wheelchair crown
Skipper Jack Brown completed his hat-trick in golden-point extra time to snatch a win for England over world champions France 28-24 and lift the 2015 European Wheelchair Rugby League Championship at a packed Medway Arena in Gillingham, Kent.
This was the third encounter in the tournament between these two great rivals, with honours even after a victory apiece. The decider was a tense affair. France took an early lead when they capitalised on an England penalty, Mikael Gaune sending over Lionel Alazard out wide.
England responded when Harry Brown put in a delicate kick ahead and zipped past two French defenders to touchdown. Gaune then crossed twice in quick succession, his second try following good work from Laurent Despues before selling a great dummy to score by the left post.
Jack Brown narrowed the gap to 16-12 at the break, capitalising on Wayne Boardman’s kick which cannoned off a post. Gaune went close to completing his hat-trick but knocked in the process of grounding the ball.
The visitors edged further ahead at the start of the second period when Nicolas Clausells landed a penalty after a Harry Brown double-tap error but the Englishman made up for it by sending brother Jack over in the corner and adding a terrific touchline conversion to level at 18-18.
Cyril Torres, the French captain, helped his side retake the lead as the ball was played out to Clausells and he beat Boardman to score.
England fought back with less than five minutes to go when local hero Joe Coyd held off Clausells to place the ball over the line, bringing the scores level again after the regulation hour.
Extra time ensued with France winning the important coin toss and they chose to receive the ball. However, Jack Brown hit a beautiful kick-off which went out in the corner of the try area for a goal line drop out.
Nathan Holmes took the kick and passed it wide to Wayne Boardman who was tackled in the right hand corner. The ball was then moved left to Jack Brown and he slipped by a defender before touching down to win the game and spark wild celebrations.
Teams
England: Wayne Boardman, Joe Coyd, James Simpson, Sebastien Bechara, Martin Lane, Jack Brown (c), Nathan Holmes, Harry Brown
Tries: H Brown, J Brown 3, Coyd
France: Yann Menunier, Nicolas Clausells, Christophe Cochand, Mikael Gaune, Guillaume Mautz, Laurent Despues, Michel Penella, Lionel Alazard, Kevin Pastor, Cyril Torres
Tries: Alazard, Guane 2, Clausells
Referees: Steve Abel and Matthew Ball
IRELAND RALLY TO TAKE THIRD PLACE
Ireland came through a bruising encounter with Scotland to achieve third place with a 20-16 victory.
Scotland opened the scoring through Steven Carling but Ireland drew level when Dom Richards finished off a great move. Scotland were then reduced to four men after Michael Mellon was sent to the sin bin for an eye-poke on Stuart Walker, the resulting penalty being converted by Tom McCarthy.
Ireland increased their lead just before half-time as Scotland conceded another penalty with McCarthy again on target. Early in the second half Dillon Neill waltzed around the England defenders to score in the corner and extend the Irish advantage.
When Mellon returned to the action he touched down in the corner to start the Scottish revival and then set up Dan Grant for another. However, Grant was then sent to the sin bin for unnecessary roughness on Richards, meaning the Scots had to play the rest of the game with four men.
From the resulting penalty Ireland won the game when Richards raced to the corner to score his second try.
GROUP GAMES
Ireland 46 – 36 Wales
A dramatic late rally, led by five-try man of the match Dominic Richards, saw the Irish through to the play-offs. Mark Williams claimed a hat-trick for the gallant Welsh.
England 102 - 0 Scotland
England, with Adam Barnett claiming four tries, ran rampant over the Scots to make the final. Tom Halliwell and Martin Lane both posted hat-tricks.
France 52 - 5 Wales
France put on a sparkling display to go into the final undefeated. The impressive Theo Gonzales posted three tries in a rampant first half with Nicolas Clausells also collecting a hat-trick.
England 66 - 16 Ireland
Adam Barnett was the star of this comprehensive England win, racing over for five tries. Jodie Boyd-Ward was also among their try scorers.
England 56 - 8 Wales
Adam Barnett was unstoppable as England blitzed Wales in the first half, finishing with three tries. Tom Halliwell was also in fine form.
France 88 - 6 Scotland
Guillame Mautz led the way with five tries as the French overwhelmed their opponents. Scotland’s consolation score came from Michael Grange.
France 26 - 24 England
A sensational first half by the French, in which they scored all their points and included a Mikael Guane hat-trick, saw them home in a thriller. Jack Brown’s second half hat-trick wasn’t enough for the hosts.
Scotland 26- 25 Wales
Scotland, thanks to a Michael Mellon hat-trick, held on to pip the Welsh in a tremendous clash although Andrew Higgins with a try, four goals and a drop goal, nearly pulled it out the fire for the Welsh.
France 100- 8 Ireland
France were too slick for the Irish, three players; Theo Gonzales, Manual Morais and Yann Menuier each running in three tries.
Scotland 32 - 16 Ireland 16
Dan Grant was the star with three tries as Scotland built a big lead. Vicky Irwin led the Irish response but to no avail.
