Wednesday, 03 December 2008

Purdham proves a point for England

CUMBRIA’S Rob Purdham showed England coach Tony Smith exactly what he is capable of as England crushed Wales 74-0 with a 14-try super show at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster last night.

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Way to go: England's Rob Purdham breaks free on his way to scoring the opening try during the Gillette Fusion International at Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster last night

Purdham, on his full international debut, went over in the seventh minute for his side’s opening try before adding the conversion. And England never looked back.

The Harlequins star went on to kick another eight conversions for a personal tally of 22 points.

Skipper Martin Gleeson (2), Shaun Briscoe (2), Richie Myler (2), Mark Calderwood, Tony Chubb, Gareth Hock, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Peter fox also crossed.

It was a superb result for the English side which featured eight of Smith’s World Cup squad but was without Leeds Rhinos or St Helens players who were involved in last weekend’s Grand Final.

England: Shaun Briscoe (Hull KR); Peter Fox (Hull KR), Michael Shenton (Castleford), Paul Sykes (Bradford), Mark Calderwood (Wigan); Martin Gleeson (Warrington, capt), Richard Myler (Salford); Stuart Fielden (Wigan), Mickey Higham (Wigan), Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Harlequins), Gareth Hock (Wigan), Ben Westwood (Warrington), Rob Purdham (Harlequins).

Replacements: David Hodgson (Huddersfield), Jamie Langley (Bradford), Darryl Griffin (Huddersfield), Tony Clubb (Harlequins).

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