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20:23 GMT, Friday, 10 October 2008 21:23 UK

England 74-0 Wales

England (42) 74
Tries: Purdham, Briscoe 2, Sykes 2, Gleeson 2, Myler 2, Calderwood, Clubb, Hock, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Fox Goals: Purdham 9
Wales (0) 0



England skipper Martin Gleeson

England warmed up for the Rugby League World Cup with a 14-try drubbing of Wales in Doncaster.

Once Rob Purdham went over after seven minutes for the opening score of the game, Tony Smith's side were dominant.

There were two tries apiece for captain Martin Gleeson, Shaun Briscoe, Paul Sykes and young Salford scrum-half Richie Myler.

Mark Calderwood, Tony Clubb, Gareth Hock, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Peter Fox also crossed.

It was England's biggest-ever win over Wales and was achieved without the St Helens and Leeds players who were involved in last weekend's Grand Final.

Smith's side, featuring eight players who will be part of the World Cup squad, looked the sharper from the start as they tormented the Wales defence.

Mickey Higham at dummy-half created the opportunities for Gleeson to capitalise from stand-off.

Purdham, on his full international debut, sidestepped through before Briscoe took Gleeson's pass to go over and then Sykes opened his account.

Gleeson, who scored a hat-trick in the mid-season international against France, made the most of the space afforded to him before Myler got the first of his two tries.

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Give your reaction to England's victory

Wales had no answer to Calderwood's pace on the wing and he set Sykes free to cross before Gleeson added his second.

The visitors trailed 36-0 when they created their first clear-cut scoring chance but centre Aled James, one of seven Celtic Crusaders players, was denied by the video referee.

It took England less than a minute of the second half to extend their lead, with a Hock offload enabling substitute Tony Clubb to mark his debut with his first touch.

Hock quickly followed Clubb over the line and Myler then finished a Purdham break for his second try.

McCarthy-Scarsbrook went over from close range before Myler carved out a second try for Briscoe and winger Fox put the seal on an emphatic win.


England coach Tony Smith:

"It was a game that we needed for players to blow a few cobwebs out of the system and we came though unscathed, which is an extra bonus.

"They enhanced their chances, which is good, because I want as many selection headaches as I can get.

"There was also valuable experience gained for a lot of the young guys. I can't speak highly enough of the spirit in the group."

Wales coach John Dixon:

"It's not a good day for us in terms of the score but in terms of long-term development this is a starting point.

"We've had a wonderful week. We've got a group of kids here who have come out of the National Conference and, to see them compete as well as they did, we can only grow from here.

"I thought the attitude and demeanour was terrific and so was the effort for 80 minutes. We were just beaten by the better team."


England: Shaun Briscoe (Hull KR); Peter Fox (Hull KR), Michael Shenton (Castleford), Paul Sykes (Bradford), Mark Calderwood (Wigan); Martin Gleeson (Warrington, capt), Richard Myler (Salford); Stuart Fielden (Wigan), Mickey Higham (Wigan), Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Harlequins), Gareth Hock (Wigan), Ben Westwood (Warrington), Rob Purdham (Harlequins).
Replacements: David Hodgson (Huddersfield), Jamie Langley (Bradford), Darryl Griffin (Huddersfield), Tony Clubb (Harlequins).

Wales: Dave Halley (Bradford Bulls); Damien Gibson (Halifax), Aled James (Celtic Crusaders), Lee Williams (Celtic Crusaders), Rhys Williams (Warrington Wolves); Mark Lennon (Celtic Crusaders), Ian Watson (Leigh Centurions); Craig Kopzcak (Bradford Bulls), Sean Penkywicz (Halifax), David Mills (Hull Kingston Rovers), Ben Flower (Celtic Crusaders), Geraint Davies (Celtic Crusaders), Andy Bracek (Warrington Wolves).
Replacements: Rhys Griffiths (Castleford Tigers), Jordan James (Celtic Crusaders), Matt Barron (Gateshead Thunder) Gil Dudson (Celtic Crusaders).

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)




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Related to this story:

World Cup relief for Calderwood (07 Oct 08 |  Rugby League )
England call up delights Purdham (08 Oct 08 |  Harlequins )
Purdham earns World Cup call-up (07 Oct 08 |  Rugby League )
England train-on squad in photos (01 Oct 08 |  Rugby League )
Rugby League World Cup squads (09 Oct 08 |  Rugby League )
Celtic Crusaders 18-36 Salford (28 Sep 08 |  Rugby League )
Saints duo 'traumatised' (15 Jun 04 |  St Helens )

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