Warriors international round-up
- Adam Rigby and Declan Roberts featured for England.
- Martin Norris represented England Knights, as Roberts captained the side on Friday evening.
- England fell to a 2-0 series defeat.
England Wheelchair competed in a double-header against France at Medway Park for the Fassolette-Kielty Trophy, with England Knights Wheelchair also in action.
England Wheelchair lost the first of their games against France in their International double-header test series. Wigan Warriors’ Adam Rigby and Declan Roberts both came off the bench in the opening game.
It was a tight start to the game, with the scores to nil for the first 17 minutes after some fast paced play from both England and France. France opened the scores with a penalty goal before getting the first try of the game and they always add the upper hand from there.
The introduction of Rigby and Roberts saw a freshness to England, Roberts in particular was influential – putting in some great solo work in the middle of the park to see England over for a try in the second half and also converting a goal. A strong finish from France saw them to a 49-24 victory over England heading into the second game.
Friday evening saw England Knights in action. All three Warriors were in action as Declan Roberts captained the side, Martin Norris was utilised with Adam Rigby at interchange. Adam Rigby scored in what was a dominant performance by the French, but a game which offered some great experience for the Knights team. France took the 57-14 victory.
Saturday afternoon saw the final game of the test week as England faced France once more. Adam Rigby and Declan Roberts both featured once again in their third appearances of the week.
England opened the scoring through Captain Tom Halliwell to put them 6-0 up but France surged back to take in a 21-6 lead at the half time break. The visitors scored first in the second half but a quick fire hattrick from Nathan Collins got England back to within a point at 27-26 with 13 minutes to go but it was France who took the spoils, adding two more tries to finish the game off and take a 39-26 win.
The victory for France sealed the test series for the visitors, who lifted the Fassolette-Kielty Trophy.
