England A defeat Wales
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.

ENGLAND A 22
Tries: Matt Diskin 2, Ade Gardner, Danny McGuire
Goals: Danny Tickle 3 from 5
Team: Paul Sykes (London), Leon Pryce (Castleford), Martin Aspinwall (Wigan), Stuart Reardon (Bradford), Ade Gardner (St Helens), Jamie Rooney (Wakefield), Rob Burrow (Leeds), Andy Lynch (Castleford), Matt Diskin (Leeds), Rob Parker (London), Danny Tickle (Wigan), Gareth Hock (Wigan), Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan); Subs: Danny McGuire (Leeds), Danny Sculthorpe (Wigan), Ryan Clayton (Castleford), Ian Sibbit (Warrington).
WALES DRAGONS 4
Tries: Mark Lennon
Team: Damian Gibson (Castleford), Hefin O'Hare (Huddersfield), Kris Tassell (Swinton), Adam Hughes (Widnes), Lenny Woodard (Bridgend), Aled James (Widnes), Mark Lennon (Castleford), Robert Roberts (unattached), Ian Watson (Rochdale), Anthony Farrell (Widnes), Justin Morgan (Toulouse), Paul Atcheson (Widnes), Chris Morley (Oldham); Subs: Jon Aston (Hull KR), David Mills (Widnes), Gareth Price (Rochdale), Jordan James (Sheffield)

Venue: Headingley Stadium (Leeds) Crowd: 2,124
Date: Sun Nov 9 3:00pm
Referee: Thierry Alibert (France)
Half time: England 12 - 4
First Try: Matt Diskin (England A)

Article by Steve Birchall
10 Nov 2003