Deaf side hits fresh heights

10:28am Thursday 14th February 2008

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THREE hours before the Millennium Stadium was to witness a back to back victory against the Scots, the Wales deaf side were in action at Llanharan RFC.

Original opponents, the Scottish deaf side, were unable to muster a team, so a re-arranged fixture saw the WDRU take on a Steve Ford Select XV.

Consisting of a side made up mainly from Division 1 and Premiership clubs, as selected by former Cardiff and Wales winger Steve Ford, it would provide a stout test for the WDRU after the relatively comfortable win over the English deaf side only six days before.

Injuries and player unavailability saw two welcome additions to the Welsh bench in the name of Barry RFC players Ashley Brown and John Campbell, brother of captain Matt Campbell, with both players gaining their first Welsh caps, Ash brought on after only 10 minutes and John for the final 15.

From the kick off, it was clear that the Steve Ford side meant business and soon opened their account with a converted try. Wing Chris Haddock went over for a try in the corner but with the resultant kick going wide, the Select side held on to a slim 2 point advantage.

Scores were again traded, with the Select XV scoring a further converted try and a penalty, Wales replying with a power try by hooker James Evans, duly converted, and a penalty of their own. With the As play resumed for the second half, Wales were behind by 17 points to 15, but they scored 2 unconverted tries from lock Andrew Healey and full back Gareth John to run out deserved 25-17 winners.