England continued their winning start to their home Rugby League World Cup with a 42-18 victory over France. The University of Bolton Stadium was rocking in what proved to be a great advert for the sport. The crowd’s enthusiasm rubbed off on the players who produced a match that was rarely close but always thoroughly competitive.
England came flying out of the blocks. Veteran Ryan Hall completed a move that was started with a George Williams crossfield kick. Marc Sneyd converted to put England on the front foot. It wasn’t long before England’s record try-scorer scored again, his 37th international try. Sneyd stuck it through the posts and the home side looked like running away with it.
READ MORE:
Victor Radley powered through leaving Benjamin Garcia in his wake before offloading to Luke Thompson. Another Sneyd success from the kick put England 18-0 and cruising. After Australia and Fiji had recorded back-to-back batterings, it looked like France might the latest victims of a drubbing.
But The Chanticleers came battling back. Arthur Mourgue’s kick and rush was well-executed, as was his conversion. Eloi Pelissier gave France a real foothold four minutes later with Mourgue nailing the kick once again. Going into half time this was a real contest.
England broke this French scoring spell as the second half got underway. John Bateman burst through the lines before offloading to Elliott Whitehead. The pass looked a little forward but Whitehead’s resulting try was given. It was subsequently converted as the host nation enjoyed a dream start to the half.
An Andy Ackers kick carved France open once again and Radley was there to collect. He crossed the line and Sneyd converted to put England 18 points to the good.
Kallum Watkins left the field with a head injury after a collision with Alrix Da Costa. There were some scary moments as the Salford Red Devils man appeared to be out cold. He was given loud applause as he left the field and it is hoped his recovery will be a speedy and straightforward one.
Jack Welsby motored into space before offloading to starlet Dom Young. The 21-year-old notched his third try of the World Cup before Sneyd made it six from six with the conversion. England had recovered brilliantly from that spell of French pressure just before half time.
Young’s interception deep in the England half saw him power down the right wing to score a real crowd-pleaser. Sneyd made it seven from seven with the conversion as England had the Bolton crowd in the palm of their hands.
Arthur Romano restored some pride with a late try, which Mourgue converted. They had another effort disallowed by the video official as they looked to narrow the gap. It was a spirited late search from France but ultimately not enough.
England go marching on to face Greece in their next game. You can follow all the action from that and every other game here on The Sportsman via our live blog.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
