RLWC21 round-up
- Two Warriors featured across the final Rugby League World Cup games.
- Vicky Molyneux featured for England as they faced New Zealand in the Women’s Semi Final.
- Declan Roberts was in the squad for England as they were crowned Wheelchair World Champions.
Women’s Semi Final
England faced New Zealand on Monday evening with a spot in the World Cup Final at stake. Vicky Molyneux was in the staring line-up as she made her third appearance for England in the tournament.
England got off to a good start as Georgia Roche sent full-back Fran Goldthorp through a gap to open the scoring in the 4th minute. New Zealand hit back in the 15th minute through Mele Hufanga before Raecene McGregor put the Kiwi Ferns in the lead for the first time on the half-hour mark to see the score at 8-6 at the interval.
A converted effort from Otesa Pule in the 47th minute opened the gap for the Kiwi Ferns before a fourth try from Brianna Clark before the hour put New Zealand out to 20-6. Despite some fantastic defence in the final 20 minutes, England failed to get on the scoresheet again as they exited the competition at the Semi Final stages.
Wheelchair Final
Friday night saw England face reigning Champions France in the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Final at Manchester Central. Declan Roberts was named, but was an unused interchange as England played out a thriller to be crowned Champions.
France took an early lead with a penalty goal in the 2nd minute, before a converted try saw them 8-0 to the good after 10 minutes. England showed their resilience though as they fought back to reduce the deficit just short of the 20 minute mark.
France replied with another converted try before England got another of their own just before the half time hooter to make it 14-12 in a nail-biting final. England got their noses in front for the first time in the match as a converted Lewis King effort made it 16-14.
Team of the tournament player Jack Brown notched another score for England in the 52nd minute, which was converted to make it 22-14, but England could not rest easy yet as France responded almost immediately, closing the gap to 2-points again going into the final 20 minutes.
France scored a penalty goal with less than 10 minutes to go, making the score 24-all and setting up a grandstand finish in the Wheelchair final. The French side missed another penalty goal effort with the time ticking down, but Captain Tom Halliwell sealed the glory for England with a converted try right before the full time hooter as England claimed the RLWC2021 trophy, Champions for the first time since 2008.
RLWC2021
Men’s Winners – Australia
Women’s Winners – Australia
Wheelchair Winners – England
Physical Disability Winners – England
