France Vs England
England Deaf beat against France 20 - 11 at Lille, France
When England Deaf Rugby lost their first ever match to France last autumn, Head Coach Geoff Atkinson promised, "We will beat the French when we return." And so they did by 12 - 20 in Lille last month, bringing them the coveted Four Nations title.
With the French backs penalised for offside, the England pack rolled forward, with the opposition using any measures to stop them, the French prop eventually sin binned for pulling a maul down. A solid French defence kept the half to 3 - 3 as kickers Gavin Jackson and Jeremy Escare traded penalties. The physicality of the game resulted in Brett Pruce coming on as hooker for an injured Craig Pothecary and Robert Hill replacing Andrew Millership. Despite their valiant efforts and good work from prop Nick Todd and James Hart, a France penalty gave the home team the lead early in the second half.
England's sustained pressure saw them win the ball on the 25-metre line and move it down the back line for prop Nick Todd to come wide and offload to winger Ben Warner to run in at the corner flag, taking them to 6-8. France soon kicked another penalty, however, making it 9-8. England brought on David Millard for Piesley and Steve Bloxham replaced injured full back Jackson.
A charging run by Doyle followed, the ball offloaded to centre Gilbert who powered over for a great try to give England 9-13, before France answered with a penalty bringing them within one point. With ten minutes to go England's forwards secured victory. From a 5-metre scrum Captain Richard Jackson, at No 8, picked up and drove to the line and flanker Tim Sawyer ripped the ball to score a try which, converted by Nick Doyle, gave England a well-deserved 12-20 win.
