WALES DRAGONHEARTS 56 GERMANY 12
Ian Golden at Aberavon Harlequins
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Wales Dragonhearts did enough in the first hour to overcome a spirited Germany side in Port Talbot on Saturday.
The representatives of the Welsh community game were 56-0 up on 63 minutes before letting their German counterparts in for a couple of consolation scores, but it was still a job well done for Simon Reynolds’ side.
Wales thought they’d taken the lead after just 35 seconds. Ben O’Connell dived over but the referee called play back for a knock-on.
But O’Connell wasn’t going to be denied. Alan Pope created the chance as he pushed forward, giving the debutant the chance to score that he didn’t waste. Corey Harris converted.
Wales were also defending well, stopping two chances from Max Huss as the dangerous winger was close to scoring.
And when Wales went back onto the attack, they scored again, O’Connell receiving Aidyn Jones’ pass to easily run through for his second. Harris couldn’t land the kick.
From their next set, Wales scored their third try after Lloyd Pritchard ran well down the wing. Harris converted to put the score onto 16-0.
Pritchard thought he’d got another straight away, but his try was disallowed for a forward pass.
But just after the half-hour, Brandon Lamb got on the end of a good passing move to score Wales’ fourth try. Harris kicked well from touch to put the score onto 22-0.
Three minutes before half-time, debutant Daniel Coombes sprinted over half the length of the pitch to score under the sticks. Harris converted.
And there was still time for Kurtis Haile to run down the wing and score Wales’ sixth try. That went unconverted but Wales were 32-0 up at the break.
Wales increased their lead after just three minutes. Kieran Thomas stretching over for the try and Corey Harris converting.
And the second try of the second half was a carbon copy of that in the first. Jones to O’Connell and the half-back ran in for his hat-trick.
Kieron John, another debutant, was over next, forcing his way through for Wales’ ninth try. Harris converted well to bring up the 50.
The next try came on 62 minutes. Raymond Lear ran well and Pope was there to support him for his first try in Dragonhearts colours for 11 years. Harris again kicked the goal.
Germany were finally over the line with 12 minutes to go. Linus Kurz ran through a tiring Welsh line for a consolation score with Felix Rau converting.
And it was the visitors who had the last say. Logan Mokalei ran through for Germany’s second with the final play of the game with Rau again kicking the goal.
WALES: Kieran Thomas (Conwy Celts), Lloyd Pritchard (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Kurtis Haile (Torfaen Tigers), Brandon Lamb (Bristol All Golds), Aidyn Jones (Flintshire Falcons), Ben O’Connell (Pilkington Recs), Corey Harris (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Ben Jackson (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Kieron John (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Alan Pope (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Daniel Coombs (Army Rugby League), Lloyd Allen (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Shane Lee (South Wales Jets), Subs: Chris Harris (South Wales Jets), Jack Griffiths (Rhondda Outlaws), Jonny Rae (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Tyler Hopkins (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Raymond Lear (Conwy Celts), Jacob Purcell (South Wales Jets), Brad Llewellyn (Thornhill Trojans).
GERMANY: Harry Miles (Munich/Unterföhring Trouts), Max Huss (Berlin Bocks), Linus Kurz (Munich/Unterföhring Trouts), Felix Rau (Munich/Unterföhring Panthers), Fabian Kramer (Munich/Unterföhring Panthers), Alex Nyahoe (Berlin Bocks), Joel Strasser (Hammersmith Hills Hoists), Mawuli Améfia (Munich/Unterföhring Trouts), Logan Mokalei (Munich/Unterföhring Trouts), Charlie Tetley (Hunslet), Sebastian Paassen (Ruhrpott Rhinos), Martin Tormann (Berlin Bocks), Liam Doughton (Ruhrpott Rhinos). Subs: Harry Cartwright (Munich/Unterföhring Trouts), Jack Ryan (Hammersmith Hills Hoists), Aaron Willmott (Munich/Unterföhring Trouts), Jay Kay (Thornhill Trojans), Oliver Bowie (Liverpool Hope), Jakub Zwanski – (Munich/Unterföhring Panther), Fabian Wikander (Berlin Bocks).
Referee: Ian Curzon
Half-time: 32-0
