Dragonhearts suffer record defeat

By Nate Williams

 

The England Lions overwhelmed their Welsh counterparts as they ran in 10 tries to kick start this year’s Four Nations.

 

Stephen King claimed a hat trick while Oliver Johnson, Ian Kerman and Matthew Meaden all scored on their international debuts.

 

The Dragonhearts couldn’t pull together to trouble their English opponents but Jason Howell grabbed two consolation tries on either side of the break to avoid being nilled.

 

The Lions are a brand new squad in this year’s tournament made up of players from Tiers 3 and 4 of the national structure.

 

Their Welsh opponents gave the Lions the perfect start in the first minute of play. Poor handling from the Welsh team near their own try line allowed Meaden to pounce on the loose ball and record his first international score. Jordan Precious kicked his first of eight goals for a 6-0 head start.

 

King then extended the advantage with his first try. Tony Bakers impressive run carved a gap in the Welsh defensive line to allow King to run through and ground a try.

 

Howells pulled one back for the Welsh moments later, as he took advantage of an overlap on the left wing to touch down and put Wales on the board at 12-4.

 

England’s Lee Roberts came off the bench and made an immediate impact. With his first drive he cut through the defence and offloaded to Captain Sean Wildbore for the next score.

 

With five minutes until the break, the young Johnson from Southampton collected his first international try as he charged over in the corner.

 

King then grabbed his second of the game after a brilliant 1-2 play with Precious allowed him to dive under the posts. Precious then added the extras for a 30-4 half time lead.

 

After the break, England continued their offensive onslaught scoring two tries in as many minutes. West Hull’s Paul Shaw found his own way to the try line with a clever dummy and Hunslet Warriors’ Caldon Bravo bulldozed his way through the defence to make the score 40-4.

 

After another surging run from Baker, Kerman grounded a score as Baker’s pass split the defensive line open.

 

With 10 minutes left, England were comfortable winners at 46-4 but Howells received the ball on the wing and ran the length of the field to land a second try for Wales.

 

King completed his hat trick and Daryl Kay scored under the posts to close out the victory.

 

Teams:

 

England Lions

1.       Jordan Precious (Myton Warriors)

2.       Oliver Johnson (Southampton Spitfires)

3.       Stephen King (Wigan St.Judes)

4.       Simon Atherton (Wigan St.Patricks)

5.       Anthony Atherton (Wigan St. Patricks)

6.       Ian Kerman (West Hull)

7.       Tony Baker (Ince Rose Bridge)

8.       Lee Fewless (Myton Warriors)

9.       Matthew Meaden (Ince Rose Bridge)

10.   Marc Donnely (Army)

11.   Caldon Bravo (Hunslet Warriors)

12.   Paul Shaw (West Hull)

13.   Sean Wildbore (Skirlaugh) Captain

Replacements:

14.   Chris Gordon (RAF)

15.   Kenny Baker (Ince Rose Bridge)

16.   Lee Roberts (East Hull)

17.   Daryl Kay (Leigh Miners Rangers)

 

Tries:

King 3

Meaden

Wildbore

Johnson

Shaw

Bravo

Kerman

Kay

 

Goals:

Precious 8

 

 

Wales Dragon Hearts:

1.       Gareth David

2.       Robbie Ford

3.       Lloyd Ryland

4.       Gareth Howells- Captain

5.       Jason Howells

6.       Ian Brookes

7.       Paul Emmanueli

8.       Ken Dowding

9.       Rhys Meredith

10.   Rhys Davies

11.   Richard Brookes

12.   Robert Jones

13.   Dale Tucker

Replacements:

14.   Nick Clancy

15.   Daniel Griffiths

16.   Huw Rosser

17.   Nathan Hawkins

 

Tries:

J. Howells 2

Goals:

 

Referee: Chris Kendall