A strong finish to an entertaining contest saw England Community Lions bring the win back from Colwyn Bay, but the hosts also deserve immense credit for their performance, particularly when roaring back into contention from 4-14 down at half-time to within four points.
The England side was well-led throughout by Kameron Siddique, who became the first player of Asian descent to captain an England Rugby League side.
An error from the first play heaped pressure on Wales with Community Lions touching down within a minute when Jayden Billy burst over on the right and Oliver Whitford converted.
Wales responded after seven minutes when following a spell of pressure Josh Hanson forced the ball down amidst a three-man tackle after some patient build-up close to the line. Isaac Morgan couldn't goal.
There was precious little between the sides for the next fifteen minutes before some enterprising play to the right brought Billy a second try near the corner. Whitford couldn't goal.
Then, five minutes later, the visitors increased their lead when Ellis Welburn added a lovely finish to a three-pass play. This time Whitford’s conversion attempt hit the post and bounced back into the field of play.
Wales had much the better of the remainder of the first half but some excellent scrambling defence held two attempted efforts up in goal and generally frustrated the hosts. That left it 14-4 to England at the turnaround.
Wales started the new half with renewed vigour and their enthusiasm produced a glut of possession and eventually a nimble try from Ben Morris. Again there was no goal as Isaac Morgan’s conversion attempt slipped under the bar.
The Lions regained were next on the scoresheet with a juggled effort from Scott Egan at the corner after accurate passing created space but Whitworth couldn't goal.
Next came the try of the game when Wales hit the short side and Llewellyn Hawkes found Isaac Morgan in support out wide and the fullback galloped to the posts and converted to make it 14-18.
But England regained their composure and claimed the next crucial score when Jack Edge dummied and shot in from an angle. Whitford was off the field by this point and hooker Sonny Cooper stepped up to deputise, striking sweetly from near the touchline to make it 14-24.
Wales rallied again, creating a huge overlap on the left and Morgan Farmer-Gratton pierced the defence although Isaac Morgan wasn't able to convert.
As time ticked down, England ramped up their efforts and claimed two tries in the final three minutes. The first saw Ryan Joseph collect a clever pass to score in the corner. Cooper added his second goal.
Then another high-speed move down the right brought a second try for Egan just before the final whistle. That went unconverted by Cooper but the late flourish was enough to douse Welsh attacking fire.
Image: Ben Challis
WALES
1 Isaac Morgan (Aberavon Fighting Irish)
2 Dylan Morgan (Cardiff Blue Dragons)
3 Ben Morris (Swansea Stallions)
4 Nick Evans (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
5 Peter Richmond (Cynon Valley Cavaliers)
6 Llewellyn Hawkes (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
7 William McCarthy (Aberavon Fighting Irish)
8 Connor Lacey (Cynon Valley Cavaliers)
9 Dafydd Morgan (Cardiff Blue Dragons)
10 Bradley Williams (Cynon Valley Cavaliers)
11 Alex Banks (Torfaen Tigers)
12 Carter Barnes (Torfaen Tigers, capt)
13 Josh Hanson (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
Subs (all used):
14 Tre Huddleston (Torfaen Tigers)
15 Morgan Farmer-Gratton (Cardiff Blue Dragons)
16 John Baldwin (Cardiff Blue Dragons)
17 Calum Jones (Aber Valley Wolves)
18 Celt Ffransis (Marchogion Mon Knights)
19 Daniel Bartlett (Cardiff Blue Dragons)
20 Jarrod Hippsley (Cynon Valley Cavaliers)
Tries: Hanson (7), Morris (4), I Morgan (51), Farmer-Gratton (60)
Goals: I Morgan 1/4
ENGLAND
1 Oliver Whitford (Siddal)
2 Daniel Walsh (Wigan St Judes)
16 Ryan Joseph (Fryston Warriors)
4 Jayden Billy (Siddal)
5 Oscar Doran (Kells)
6 Jack Edge (Leigh Miners Rangers)
7 Logan Holgate (Hensingham)
8 Michael Sowden (Holderness Vikings)
9 Sonny Cooper (West Hull)
10 Fynn Wright (Kells)
11 Ellis Welburn (East Hull)
12 Ashton Sice (Kells)
13 Kameron Siddique (Siddal, capt)
Subs (all used)
14 Danny Frost (Wigan St Judes)
15 Ellis Nixon (Seaton Rangers)
3 Connor Phoenix (Rylands Sharks)
17 Louis Gibson (West Hull)
18 Scott Egan (Hensingham)
19 Aiden Sugden (Skirlaugh)
20 Mason Harris (Salford Roosters)
Tries: Billy (1, 23), Welburn (28), Egan (45, 70), Edge (54), Joseph (67)
Goals: Whitford 1/4, Cooper 2/3
Referee: Rob Apsee
Half-time: 4-14
Attendance: 710
