Rugby League: World Cup woe for Wales

Nov 10 2007 Western Mail

Wales 26-50 Lebanon

LEBANON produced an outstanding second-half performance to beat Wales 50-26 last night to extend their seven-year unbeaten record to 14 matches and to send the ill-disciplined Wales out of the World Cup.

Wales took just four minutes to score their first try. Lee Briers created the chance with an inch-perfect kick to Damien Gibson who dived over.

Briers set up Andy Bracek, who easily ran in under the posts. Harris converted to give Wales a 10-0 lead.

Lebanon got over the line on the 20-minute mark. Gareth Dean spilled the ball in the tackle and from the scrum, Frank Samia ran the ball home and Toufic Nicholas converted.

Wales restored the balance. Briers again created the chance with a long pass to Luke Dyer, who in turn slipped the ball to Gibson, who dived over for his second try. Harris converted.

But was Lebanon who got a morale booster before the interval, Chris Salem selling a dummy and going over.

Wales took first blood in the second half with Gibson’s third try.

But Lebanon then took control with tries from Salem (2), George Ndaira, Ray Moujali, Ali Kourouche and Adham El-Zbaideh.