FORUMS FORUMS






RLFANS.COM
Celebrating
25 years service to
the Rugby League
Community!

  

England came into tonight’s game in Sydney with some trepidation against an almost unknown Lebanon side who had performed so brilliantly last week in their win over France.

 

The injury to Sam Burgess meant that Ben Currie was in the starting line up with Alex Walmsley, now recovered from a virus, given a position on the bench. Giving more of his squad some game time, coach Bennett brought in Ratchford for Lomax in the starting line up, and Williams for Roby on the bench.

 

It was a carnival like atmosphere as a massive Lebanese following hoped to cheer Brad Fittler’s side to one of the all-time World Cup upsets.

 

Robust early defence from Lebanon frustrated England who spent most of the early exchanged deep inside the Cedars half.

 

The opening try came on eight minutes when the ball was moved right down the line into the hands of Kallum Watkins who was able to round the winger with ease to score. Gareth Widdop added the goal and the dominance had finally counted on the score board.

 

Lebanon started to get some better field position and on eighteen minutes England failed to deal with a Farah grubber kick and Nick Kassis got one hand on the ball in the goal area. Mitchell Moses added the extras to level the scores.

 

After absorbing more Lebanese danger there was relief for England when Jermaine McGillvary took a Watkins pass to go down the right wing before coming in field to score. Widdop added the extras to restore the six point lead.

 

On twenty-seven England went down the left wing and Ryan Hall found the space off a John Bateman pass to score in the left corner. Widdop failed to add a difficult two points.

 

Four minutes later and Ben Currie found a gap off a Josh Hodgson pass to go ten metres and dive over. Widdop kicked the conversion and England had established a bit of daylight at 22-6.

 

The earliest action of the second half saw McGillvary put ‘on report’ for an alleged biting incident just two minutes in as the sides started to get in one another’s faces.

 

After a period of stalemate, James Graham was the provider as he hit the line and offloaded to Tom Burgess enabling the second rower to go forty metres to dive over by the sticks. Widdop added the extras and with fifty-six on the clock England were 28-6 ahead.

 

On seventy-five Jason Wehbe went over on his back and managed to get the ball on the ground as Lebanon capitalist on a period of pressure. Moses failed to add the extras and his side trailed 28-10.

 

As the final hooter sounded, Gareth Widdop slotted over a close range drop goal to seal the 29-10 victory.

 

It was mission accomplished for England against the potential ‘banana skin’ that was an accomplished Cedars side. It was a workmanlike performance from most of the side but nothing really exceptional that might indicate England’s potential to go all the way. The defence was decent enough but there was a lack of flare on the offensive. A win for England over France next week would likely see them finish second with Lebanon taking the third spot, regardless of their outcome against Australia.

 

England: Ratchford, McGillvary (T), Watkins (T), Bateman, Hall (T), Widdop (4G, DG), Gale, Hill, Hodgson, Graham, Whitehead, Currie (T), O'Loughlin.  Subs: Walmsley, Heighington, T. Burgess (T), Williams.

 

Lebanon: Abu-Sleiman, Robinson, Maarbani, Doueihi, Maki, Moses (G), Farah, Mannah, Twal, Ellaz, Kassis (T), Mamary, Clark.  Subs: Lichaa, Moujali, Wehbe (T), Sukkar.

 

Referee: Ben Thaler.

 

Half-Time: 22-6.

 

Full-Time: 29-10.

Attendance: .

 



facebook sharing button
twitter sharing button
pinterest sharing button
email sharing button
sharethis sharing button


Posted by RLFANS News Hound on Sat 4th Nov 2017 11:01 AM | Views : 40284 | Replies : 3 | BACK TO STORIES
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1m
Rd 6 I Cas A
Backwoodsman
120
6m
Game - Song Titles
Wanderer
34293
8m
BORED The Band Name Game
Wanderer
56014
11m
Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Jason65
1935
19m
Ky Rodwell
PopTart
111
55m
TV games not Wire
just_browny
2866
58m
State of the Nation
ComeOnYouUll
226
Recent
The Good Friday Derby Massacre
Hasbag
141
Recent
Saints a
Brick with e
24
Recent
York - 14th April
Belle Vue
11
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
23s
BORED The Band Name Game
Wanderer
56014
24s
No grade A for 2025 for Trinity
PopTart
27
26s
Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4
Jack Burton
8703
48s
Smith - should he stay or should he go
weaver93
359
52s
TV Games - Not Hull
Chris71
1385
56s
New Super League shirts in time for Christmas
Deadcowboys1
115
59s
The official Leon Hayes Thread
Smiffy27
18
1m
Other Championship Clubs
FOREVERTRIN
98
1m
York - 14th April
Belle Vue
11
2m
Smith out ASAP
Backwoodsman
138
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Another Tigers Defeat As Rhinos Go Level Top
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
York - 14th April
Belle Vue
11
TODAY
Stats article
Sir Gregory
5
TODAY
21 man Squads - Devils v Leopards
Cokey
4
TODAY
Squad for Catalan
Smiffy27
17
TODAY
The Wigan Way - New Podcast - Chairman Special
Jukesays
1
TODAY
Dons v Swinton Lions 30 June 2024
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Squad for Sheffield
AdamH
1
TODAY
London Away
Fartown58
1
TODAY
The Bulls away
terry silver
9
TODAY
The official Leon Hayes Thread
Smiffy27
18
TODAY
Saints a
Brick with e
24
TODAY
Leon Ruan signs on loan
Jemmo
2
TODAY
Wardle
Jo Jumbuck
3
TODAY
Huddersfield - Home
Fartown58
6
TODAY
Max Wood on loan to Bradford 2 weeks
rubber ducki
7
TODAY
Jake Wardle 5 Year deal
Zig
22
TODAY
No grade A for 2025 for Trinity
PopTart
27
TODAY
Cup Quarter Final TV Arrangements
RLFANS News
1
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
Another Tigers Defeat As Rhino..
152
Cup Quarter Final TV Arrangeme..
571
2024 Challenge Cup Quarter Fin..
697
Easy Does It For The Dragons A..
593
Warrington Demolish London For..
695
Leigh Leopards Beat Plucky Fea..
747
Saints Triumph Over Disappoint..
727
Easy Win for the Wolves Over L..
967
Dragons Condemn Castleford To ..
934
Leigh Leopards Secure First Po..
1080
St Helens Tame The Rhinos To W..
1049
Wigan Warriors Come From Behin..
1119
Betfred Championship and Leagu..
1093
2024 Challenge Cup Sixth Round..
3881
Featherstone Win Extra Time Cu..
1211
RLFANS Match Centre
Matches on TV
Table 'boards.stats_fixtures' doesn't exist