Match Report - EDRU vs. Wales March 2009
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England Deaf Rugby Union arrived at Pontypridd RFC, Sardis Road on a
bright sunny morning and were looking to fulfill their expectations of a challenging match, although the squad were missing a number of their key players, such as; Kris Mannering (second row) and the formidable back row of, Mat Gilbert, Brett Pruce and Ian Collins.
England included nine debutants in a new-look squad and did well to defend the welsh experienced XV with
determination and displayed some agressive gutsy teamwork. Wales scored [10mins] with a penalty (Richard
Lewis) 3pts – 0pts. It was two minutes later a huge kick by England's Captain, Mark Lewis dropped into the welsh
22yds area, 5yds from the line with an awkward bounced for the welsh full back which was contested by Winger Matt Woodward, for him to pop the ball up to his support player into Guy Lavery hands to score the first try of the match 3pts – 5pts [13mins] England missed the conversion  Guy Lavery
Some attacking moves from both sides with England’s Tim Aldridge and Wales’s Adam Brake demonstrating their
ability to put on show of hard hitting aggressive rugby, Brake has subsequently been invited to join the Scarlets for
the forth coming season(s)....Good Luck Adam!
After 22mins Wales missed a penalty which was awarded against England for not releasing ball on the ground, and it
was shortly after this recovery, England were hit by a blistering move with his 1st of 3 tries, Nigel Francis which was
converted by Richard Lewis. Wales ahead 10pts to 5pts [25mins]
It was shortly before the half-time whistle, Lewis extended the scoreline to 17pts – 5pts with his converted
try [38mins]
Then the worse was to come!...England’s lack of concentration enabled the welsh to take advantage and managed to
score an extra 24pts within 11minutes from the restart of the 2nd half...it was due to a number of reasons and a
moment which was not repeated for the rest of the match 41pts – 5pts [52mins]
after 45mins, substitutions were made:
Todd off for Hill
Arbon off for Fincham (injury to shoulder)
Lavery off for Rowe (Eye injury - ripped cornea)
Once England had settled down with a few inspiring moves, it was very shortly finished off with a try from
England’s hooker, Matt Vandenbrouck, conversion missed 41pts – 10pts [63mins]
Further substitutions were made:
Woodward off for Jackson
Faulkner off for Venter
No more than 5mins later Wales ran in another try [75mins] with an open run to the corner, which was converted
and led to the final whistle 55pts – 10pts  Tony StoylesDespite the defeat Tony Stoyles, director of rugby of the England Deaf team, was upbeat about his
side’s efforts.
“We had a lot of new caps in the side today and some inexperience international players, hopefully they will have
benefitted from the experience and they will still be around next year, we are happy to help improve their game for the
future” Stoyles said.
Scrum-half Adam Smallwood (Bridgnorth) and back-row forward Tim Aldridge (Twickenham) both
won praise from Stoyles for their efforts in defeat.
 Tim Aldridge
Coach, Aldam Mills said;
“We just switched off....the emphasis from hereon, has to be to train more regular together, it
is imperative because as we have such potential in the squad, the first half proved that we have the ability to pressure
on quality sides like Wales, more importantly we must sustain the pressure and be able to play for the full 80mins”
It was mixed emotions for the welsh on the day, as they had managed a win against England, and yet the Welsh Elite
side lost to the Irish at the Millenium Stadium in a nail biting clash for the Six Nations title and to add to the WDRU
woes, their superb coach Steve Commander decided it was time to hang up his “infamous whistle” and depart the
Wales Deaf Rugby Union – he made an emotional speech during the aftermatch dinner and it touched a many
players, including a blubbering Team Manager Geraint John!...including a few choked england guys too!
England Deaf now look forward to their biggest and most glamorous match of the season, and that is against the
mightly Estonia Elite XV, which is to be played at Folkestone RFC on 29th August 2009
The RFU have expressed interest in this prestigious match, as EDRU will be the first International side to have played
against Estonia full International side since their formation So make yourself available and come and support EDRU! |
