R League: Entwhistle strikes near final whistle

Jul 2 2007 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

IN the first international between the two nations at this level, France arrived in Wales as hot favourites.

But, against the odds, Wales narrowly beat their visitors in a thriller at Port Talbot.

France made the perfect start after Pierre-Yves Formenti successfully kicked a third minute penalty.

Wales fought back and scored the opening try after five minutes when Gareth David went over in the corner but a second Formenti penalty two minutes later levelled things at 4-4.

The earlier rain had left the pitch very muddy underfoot.

Despite the conditions both teams were eager to pass the ball with Gaylord Severac giving France the lead on the half hour with some powerful running.

After a handling error on the next set of six from the kick off Chris Roets capitalised levelling things up again at 8-8.

And the Welsh outfit went into half-time with a six-point lead after a well-worked Lee Williams try on 35 minutes with Paul Emmanuelli converting.

France came out and made their intentions clear with some great handling which levelled things up again two minutes into the second half.

Jerome De Azevedo finished things off touching down under the sticks and Formenti converting.

Great Britain under-18 skipper Williams went over in the corner for his second touchdown 15 minutes into the second period to put Wales back in front once again.

The heavens opened to add to the heavy ground conditions.

After a number of turnovers with a greasy ball Thibault Leib levelled things up again with a fine individual effort with 10 minutes to go.

The match was evenly poised until three minutes before the end when Matt Entwhistle sold the defence a dummy, went inside and then out to slide in the corner.

Wales Coach Wayne Williams said: “I’m delighted. This is a great result, particularly in the conditions.

“This is just the preparation we needed before our game against Ireland in Carlow in two weeks time.

“The lads have really stood up in both our games so far this season and the coaching staff have some tough selection decisions to make before our trip to Ireland.”

Wales A: David James (Blackwood Bulldogs), Lee Williams (Valley Cougars), Chris Roets (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Paul Collette (Cardiff Demons), Daniel Blethyn (NPT Steelers), Paul Emmanuelli (Blackwood Bulldogs), Gareth David (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Mark Wheeler (Newport Titans), Byron Williams (Blackwood Bulldogs), Karl Hocking (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Jason Hill (Torfaen Tigers), John Bowd (Newport Titans), Matt Entwhistle (Torfaen Tigers).

Tries: David (5), Roets (33), Williams (35, 55), Entwhistle (77)

Goals: Emmanuelli.

France: Arnaud Boussie, Jerome De Azevedo, Gaylord Severac, Mickael Cousseau, Benjamin Casty, Olivier Bessiere, Oliver Estebanez, Fiteli Telai, Thibault Leib, Benjamin Serrano, Oliver Caussinus, Mathias Mercanti, Guillaume Picard.

Tries: Severac (30), De Azevedo (42), Leib (70)

Goals: Formenti 3