ENGLAND DEAF RUGBY BEAT FRANCE TO WIN THE FOUR NATIONS
Written by Howard Gilbert

27th March 2004

When England Deaf Rugby lost their first ever match to France last autumn, Head Coach Geoff Atkinson consoled his team saying, "We are going to win that Four Nations and we will beat the French when we return." Thus it was a very proud Coach who witnessed his team scored three tries to win an exciting match in Stade Gaston Berger, in Lille, last Saturday (27 Mar) and fulfil that promise.

The pre-match confidence of coaching staff and players, boosted by their win against Wales, was vindicated. The England forwards totally dominated the lineouts and forced the French pack to retreat in rucks and mauls to set the platform for plenty of powerful back play for the 12-20 win.

Yet once again England had to come from behind to win. Much of the first half was a reversal of a the previous encounter with the French backs now penalised for infringing offside as the England pack rolled forward to great effect. In fact the French pack had to resort to deliberately collapsing these loose plays. These spoiling tactics denied England opportunities and stretched the patience of the referee who eventually sin binned the French prop Pouey for pulling the maul down. Perhaps if he had shown a yellow card earlier the French would have given up this illegal tactic.

Despite much possession and territory for England, a solid French defence kept the half to 3 points each as kickers Gavin Jackson and Jeremy Escare traded penalties. However, team body language in the half-time huddles showed England looking the more confident that the points would come in the second half.

In the last match the French dominated the lineouts, but this time flanker Tim Sawyer was used to arrow the ball in with great accuracy and the athletic No 8, James Houghton was propelled to great heights by Skipper Richard Jackson to out-leap and out-catch any opposition efforts. Houghton's huge basketball style 'dunks' off the top to scrum half Peit Everett gave him the time and space to present good passes to the creative Toby Borradaile at outside-half. Both half-backs played well throughout and gave excellent service to powerhouse centres Nick Doyle and Mathew Gilbert, who in turn were able to create opportunities on the wings for speedy Ben Warner and the ever elusive Alistair Dalziel.

After a lively French start to the second half England soaked up the pressure. Brett Pruce was on at hooker for the ever brave Craig Pothecary, who required replacement after he took a fearsome crunch to the head late in the first half. Robert Hill was on soon after for Andrew Millership, also sustaining facial damage following a head on collision after a powerful run. Despite valiant efforts up front from these two substitutes, plus good work from powerful prop Nick Todd and hardworking James Hart, France scored another penalty to take an early second half lead 6-3.

England sustained pressure on their opponents and more good forward effort from Danny Piesley and Tim Sawyer helped the England pack win the ball on the 25-metre line. England moved the ball down the back line where prop Nick Todd appeared wide as an extra centre to pass to winger Ben Warner on an overlap to run in at the corner flag to score England's first try. This was unconverted but England was in the lead, 6-8 for the first time. The advantage was shortlived as France converted another penalty for offside to take the lead at 9-8. England now brought on young David Millard in the back row as a replacement for Piesley. Full back Jackson retired injured to be replaced by Steve Bloxham.

England fly-half Borradaile now pressed for another try and winger Dalziel made two breaks. Good French cover stopped the first in touch, but on the second move the slippery winger, although held, cleverly stepped from the arms of his opponent and surged down the touchline again. Dalziel drew the fullback 25-metres out and passed inside to Doyle who charged on before being hauled down. Doyle made sure of his inside pass to supporting centre Gilbert who powered over with a tackler dragging behind but unable to prevent the diving touchdown for a great try!

At 9-13 France did not want to be denied on home turf and another penalty pulled them back to 12-13 with a tense 10 or so minutes to play. However, England's final try deservedly went to the forwards. From a 5-metre scrum Captain Richard Jackson, now in the number 8 position, picked up and drove to the line. When stopped short he turned the ball back to flanker Tim Sawyer to score a try that rewarded the whole pack for their consistent efforts. The try was converted by Nick Doyle to give England a well-deserved 12-20 win.

The England Deaf Rugby team came to Lille, in Flanders' fields - that historic 'cock-pit of Europe' - to make a little bit of history for themselves in winning this sporting battle.

Much later, as the team prepared to return home from the post-match dinner in downtown Lille, jubilant French supporters spilled from the bars to celebrate their rugby seniors' win.

Seeing the Red Rose of England and St George on the team coach there was much good-natured banter.

"Hey Johnny we beat you!" one shouted.

Non Jacque, not these men, for England Deaf are the victors in Flanders' rugby fields.

Quotes:-

Geoff Atkinson, England Deaf Rugby Head Coach – “The result was excellent and showed how far the team have progressed since our first meeting in July. The evening with the French team was also very pleasing as all of the players and officials were as one regardless of Nationality. This was another highly successful occasion for Deaf Rugby and Deaf sport in general.”

Marcel Hirshman, England Deaf Rugby Union Chairman – “The match was a tight fought between both forwards but our backs were in good form during the 2nd half and exposed theirs to get three tries. A very pleasing win after losing to them last October”

Referee: S. Commergon

Squads:

England DRU: Richard Jackson (Capt), Robert Hill, Tim Sawyer, Luke Taylor, Andrew Millership, Craig Pothecary, Brett Pruce, Nick Todd, Steve Bloxham, James Hart, Danny Piesley, David Millard, Peit Everett, Neil Zanger, Toby Borradaile, Nick Doyle, Mathew Gilbert, Alistair Dalziel, Ben Warner, James Houghton, Gavin Jackson, Darren Valentine.

France: Dario L, Dubost J, Bos G, Duc O, Gabet C, Beausire O, Pouey J-F, Prunier N, (Capt), Barrere L, Wallet S, Esare J, Robert T, Alves M, Assie V, Semelaigne P, Marchand J-N, Moreau Y, Peduzzi E, Scharff P, Beddock D.