Armed Forces World Cup

Great Britain 32 New Zealand 8

(At Colchester Garrison)

Following a tough first half Great Britain turned on the style after the interval to open their World Cup account with a convincing victory.

On a hot afternoon, there was little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges. New Zealand got the first points on the board after seven minutes when full-back Adam Wilson landed a penalty. However Great Britain hit back when stand-off Martin Wood slipped a neat pass to Marc Donnelly and no one was going to stop the hard running prop as he blasted his way through to the posts.

Wood’s conversion gave them an 8-6 lead but the home side continued to be tested by the Kiwis who benefited from a strong breeze at their backs. After 25 minutes New Zealand regained the lead when a momentary lapse of concentration allowed hooker Kairan David to scoot over from dummy half with Wilson adding the extras.

The Kiwis continued to have territorial advantage with Great Britain struggling to establish field position. However, when in possession the home side looked dangerous and just before half time they went ahead. They made inroads down the right before wing Tim Timani went close but Great Britain made the most of the position with Chris Gordon crashing over for the try which made it 10-8 at the interval.

Timani stretched the lead early in the second half with a fine individual effort. Released down the left deep in his own half he tore down the touchline and when closed down he turned the ball inside only for it to bounce off a defender. The wing re-gathered and touched down with Wood adding the extras to give his side an eight point lead.

Great Britain then began to exert their authority and tries from Darren Bamford, James Hutchinson and Lewis Taylor, with Garry Dunn and Dave Hankinson adding conversions, sealed the win.

Great Britain: D Bamford; K Kamikika, T Wilkinson, J Hutchinson, T Timani; M Wood, G Dunn; MDonnelly, S Lockton, L Taylor, C Gordon, L Queeley, D Jinks Interchange: D Hankinson, D Maloney, S Sarsons, J Milburn

Scorers: Tries Donnelly, Gordon, Timani,Bamford, Hutchinson, Taylor Cons Wood (2),Dunn,Hankinson

New Zealand: A Wilson; R O’Flaherty, C Salmon, L Tanginoa, A Dougal; M Cole, M Holtom; R Simmonds, K David, L Griffith, I Tololeapoa, M Phillips, H Peterson Interchange: L Walker, F Ikahihifo, A Smith, D Mau’ufu

Scorers Try: David Con Wilson Pen Wilson

Referee: B Robinson