England Deaf Beaten By Wales

From: Rugby Football Union, UK - Feb 5, 2005

by Paul Bolton

The England Deaf rugby team were beaten 24-0 by World Champions Wales in their first match of the season at Sardis Road, Pontypridd today.

England conceded 19 points in the first ten minutes but mounted a successful rearguard action thereafter and did not concede another point until Wales ran in their final try in the closing minutes.

England included eight new caps in their side and head coach Chris Burton singled out the back-row of Ian Collins (Blackheath), Danny Piesley (Old Halesonians) and Tim Sawyer (West Hartlepool) for particular praise for their efforts in a brave defensive effort.

"Despite the result I was pleased with the performance," Burton said. "We had a young and inexperienced side and they showed a lot of character in the way that they restricted Wales after the first ten minutes.

"Wales were a well-organised side but we did well to hold our own after that initial opening spell."

England's next match in the Four Nations Championship will be against Scotland at Doncaster on a date to be agreed.

© 2005 The Rugby Football Union. All rights reserved.