Arriva Trains Wales | WALES DEAF RUGBY TEAM DAMPEN SCOTTISH SPIRITS

WALES DEAF RUGBY TEAM DAMPEN SCOTTISH SPIRITS

A hat-trick of tries by Caerphilly RFC wing Ben Pritchard saw the Wales Deaf rugby team overcome a spirited Scotland Deaf side by 51 points to 3 at Braidholm, Glasgow on Saturday 10 February 2007.

Wales Deaf Rugby Players Having defeated England 65-0 at Dunvant in November, the fifth international between the two sides saw a feast of running rugby with six of the Welsh team’s nine tries being scored by their pacy backline.

With both sides playing for the ‘Braidholm Bell’, the early stages saw the Scottish pack dominate possession inside the Wales 22 and they deservedly took the lead with a penalty goal after 5 minutes. A gusty wind often made for difficult passing conditions, however midway through the first half the Welsh pack began to take control.

Probing gaps with powerful breaks by the Welsh pack began to put the Scots on the back foot and on 20 minutes, Tumble RFC flanker Jonathan Cudd broke through to the defence to score a well taken try under the posts.

Further first half tries followed for Wales from full back Mike Watkins (Taffs Well) and hooker James Evans (Birchgrove). Leading 22 – 3 after the interval, Wales Deaf took advantage of excellent support work in the loose with space being created for the backs out wide.

Spirited Scottish defence began to creak with the visitors adding Wales Deaf Lineout another 5 tries through number eight and man of the match Jamie Bahota (Narberth), scrum half Ioan Jones (Trimsaran) and flying wing Pritchard. Conversions were added by Mark Withey (Caerphilly) and Richard Lewis (Dunvant).

Steve Commander, Wales Deaf Team Coach, said: “Scotland had only recently drawn with England so I am delighted with the victory. It is a testament to the hard work and preparation put in by the whole squad.

He continued: “The Scots made it very difficult for us early on but it was pleasing to see the boys work well off each other to create the chances, which we converted into some well taken tries.”

The Wales Deaf rugby team are the present Deaf Rugby World Champions having defeated New Zealand at the inaugural 2002 World Cup in Eden Park, Auckland. Players representing the team have an average hearing loss of 25dB across both ears.