RLEF U19's Championship

WALES 14 SCOTLAND 14

The inaugural Rugby League European Federation Under 19?s Championship got off to a tremendous start with two superb opening ties between the four home nations sides in Canet en Roussillon, a prized beach resort in the suburbs of Perpignan.

In the opening encounter Wales made a blistering start with tries from Gareth Moore and Adam Dawe in the opening ten minutes but Scotland battled back with hardworking forwards Tommy McColl and Wayne Rafferty both powering over for touchdowns.

The Scots took the initiative just after half time with a clever break from hooker Scott Porteous, converted by Ross Bryan, while Welsh winger Dawe crossed for the second time to level a few minutes later.

Both teams had chances for victory in the dying minutes but defences held firm and a draw was a fair result.

WALES
1 Kevin James
2 Jason Kenneally
3 Chris Vitalini
4 Lee Williams
5 Adam Dawe
6 Oliver Hughes
7 Garyn Lucas
8 Matt Barron
9 Tom Burnell
10 Gareth Moore
11 Billy Lavis
12 Pat Howell
13 Barrie Philips

Subs (all used)
14 Williams Jones
15 James Davies
16 Rhys Andrews
17 Nicky Griffiths

Tries: Moore (2), Dawe (10, 52)
Goal: Hughes
Sin Bin: Lee Williams (31)
Coach: Dan Clemens

SCOTLAND
1 Gary Thornton
2 Greg Wallace
3 Alisdair Carvers
4 Matthew McNee
5 Rob Sloman
6 Paul Walker
7 Ross Bryan
8 Che Smith
9 Scott Porteous
10 Wayne Rafferty
11 Tommy McColl
12 Martyn Lowe
13 Karl Beardshaw

Subs (all used)
14 Jack Burns
15 David Valentine
16 Ben Parker
17 Chris Lyle

Tries: McColl (28), Rafferty (32), Porteous (39)
Goal: Bryan
Coach: James Glover
Referee: Richard Frileux (France)

Ville de Canet, Man of the Match: Tom Burnell (Wales)



ENGLAND 30 IRELAND 24

In the following game, England hit Ireland with a devastating opening blitz of three quick tries from Daniel Whitmore, skipper Sam Gee and full back Darren Fletcher, all converted by Chris Tuson.

The Irish got back into the game courtesy of a try from Davis Johnson; man of the match Chris Forster tagging on the conversion to leave the half time score 18-6.

The Emerald Isle levelled at the beginning of the second half with well crafted touchdowns from Adam Wilson and Forster who again added both conversions.

England responded and secured victory with two converted tries from Gareth Knowles and Adam Rudd.

The Irish kept the tension alive when they crossed again in the last minute through their captain, loose forward Tyrone McArthy.

Delighted Tournament Director Jean Eric Ducuing of the French RL Federation commented: ?This was a fantastic advert for Rugby League and a great opening to the European Championship?.

RLEF Development Officer Kevin Rudd added, ?This promises to be a fantastic event and will hopefully pave the way for other future European age group Championships?

ENGLAND
1 Darren Fletcher
2 James Haynes
3 Daniel Chrimes
4 Sam Gee
5 Vinny Finnegan
6 Chris Tuson
7 Scott Low
8 Gregg Mannion
9 Daniel Whitmore
10 Matt Barber
11 Adam Rudd
12 Gareth Knowles
13 Kristian Hodson

Subs (all used)
14 David Rolt
15 Jamie Hopkins
16 David Cookson
17 Rick Jones

Tries: Mannion (2), Gee (9), Fletcher (12), Knowles (52), Rudd (57)
Goals: Tuson 5
Coach: Matt Calland

IRELAND
1 David Heathwood
2 Simon Atherton
3 Adam Walsh
4 David Johnson
5 Sean Quinn
6 Chris Forster
7 Adam Wilson
8 Neil Belshaw
9 Daniel O?Brien
10 Adam Boughen
11 Daniel Newlove
12 Mike Fairclough
13 Tyrone McArthy

Subs (all used)
14 Glenn Holland
15 Paul Rigby
16 Danny Gregory
17 Craig Foster

Tries: Johnson (16), Wilson (44), Forster (49), McArthy (66)
Goals: Forster 4
Coach: Gareth Jones

Referee: David Segura (France)

Ville de Canet man of the Match: Chris Forster (Ireland)

Source: www.rlef.eu.com