Full Report

Match Official:

Battling Wales see off the Lions

Wales held on for a high-scoring win over the English Lions in an entertaining youth international at Leigh.

The visitors had the goal-kicking of Courtney Davies to thank for the win as the scrum-half converted all his sides tries, with the Lions only able to add two goals to their five efforts.

The Lions had led 14-12 at half-time thanks to two tries to Thatto Heath’s Leon Tatlock and a goal from Lewis Sheridan, but the Welsh kept themselves in touch as Connor Farrer and Davies – who added both conversions – both crossed the whitewash.

Boosted by their late first half rally Wales really took the game to the Lions in the second period and gradually built up a lead that was to prove just enough.

Farrer – with his second – Chris Leyshon and Levi Knowles were the men to grab the touchdowns, whilst the impressive kicking of Davies further increased their advantage.

The Lions – with Wath Brow stand-off Karl Dixon outstanding throughout – dug deep and a rousing final quarter saw them almost pull off a win.

Dixon, Lewis Sheridan and Charlie Tomlinson all went over to set up a grandstand finish but Wales hung on.

Wales head coach Barry Eaton was delighted with his sides win.

He said: "It was a good win in difficult conditions and the pitch was heavy.

"This was always going to be a step up in intensity from the win over Scotland last week but we have some good ball-players in the team and credit to the boys they got stuck in."

The Lions must now re-group and prepare for next month’s encounter with the touring Australian Institute of Sport.


ENGLISH LIONS
1 Lewis Sheridan (Wigan St Cuthberts)
2 Josh Adu-Dwamaa (Leigh East)
3 Matthew Gee (Orrell St James)
4 Tom Battye (Normanton Knights)
5 Nathan Lawrence (Dewsbury Celtic)
6 Karl Dixon (Wath Brow Hornets)
7 Josh Ward (Leigh Miners Rangers)
8 Ethan Kelly (Millom)
9 Nathan Lucock (Glasson Rangers)
10 Ben Breheny (Wigan St Judes)
11 Ian Curnow (Wath Brow Hornets)
12 Leon Tatlock (Thatto Heath Crusaders)
13Perry Singleton (Barrow Island)
SUBS
14 Joe Batchelor (Dewsbury Celtic)
15 Charlie Tomlinson (Wath Brow Hornets)
16 Jack Connor (Saddleworth Rangers)
17 Alex Calvert (Barking & Dagenham Bulldogs)

T: Tatlock (2), Sheridan, Dixon, Tomlinson
G: Sheridan (2)


WALES
1 Jack Morgan
2 Jack McKenzie
3 Jordan Howells
4 Chris Leyshon
5 Alex Jones
6 Jordan Sheridan
7 Courtney Davies
8 Osian Phillips
9 Connor Farrer
10 Rhys Pugsley
11 Kylum Austin
12 TJ Collin
13 Rhys Anderson
SUBS
14 Levi Quirke Knowles
15 Jason Blackmore
16 Rhys Fitzgerald
17 Jack Condy

T: Farrer (2), Davies, Leyshon, Knowles
G: Davies (5)


H/T: 14-12

Men-of-the-match:
Karl Dixon (English Lions)
Courtney Davies (Wales)