R League: Wales retain title

Aug 20 2007 by Phil Blanche, Western Mail

WALES A regained their Cheltenham Regency Trophy title by beating England 39-18 at Blackwood yesterday.

This is Wales’ fifth Home Nations title in six years and continues their dominance at this level of rugby league.

The teams were evenly matched for a lot of the game, but Wales’ fitness showed through in the end as they broke away in the latter stages of the game.

David James (2), Daniel Blethyn, John Bowd, Gareth Jones and Mark Wheeler scored tries with Gareth David landing seven out of eight goal attempts.

“It’s been a very emotional day,” said Wayne Williams, bringing the curtain down on his reign as Wales coach.

“The penalty count was ridiculously against us, but we dug in there.

“This title is testament to our hard work, not just today but the boys who turned out all season.”

Meanwhile, just Gateshead Thunder and Oldham Roughyeds lie in Celtic Crusaders’ way to the Co-operative National League Two Championship.

The Crusaders, who face Gateshead at the Brewery Field next Sunday, beat a valiant Keighley Cougars 34-12 in Bridgend on Saturday.

The Crusaders fielded what looked like an experimental line-up with a few positional changes from the team that put 84 points on Hunslet seven days earlier.

But tries from Tony Duggan (2), Josh Hannay, Mark Dalle Cort, Anthony Blackwood and Neale Wyatt saw them comfortably home.

“I’m happy with the outcome because it was really important for us to push on and win this game,” said Crusaders coach John Dixon.