IRELAND made a strong start in the new Celtic Cup with a 44-12 victory over SCOTLAND at Hawick RU Club’s Mansfield Park.
The triangular tournament, modelled on the established wheelchair equivalent, continues this Saturday with Wales’ trip to Biggar to face Scotland, before Ireland go for the title on Saturday, October 31 against Wales at Merthyr Tydfil.
Ged Corcoran’s Ireland, playing for the first time this year, possessed the greater professional experience and it showed in an eight-try success.
Oliver Whitford, Lewis Wing and Pat Moran all scored in the opening quarter to put them well on course.
Connor Terrill replied for Scotland, who lost to the USA in February and beat Canada in July, but Kyle Barrett’s try on the stroke of half-time helped establish a 22-6 lead for Ireland.
Aidan McGowan, Whitford again and Aaron Lynch all claimed further Ireland touchdowns before Bravehearts captain Ross Whitmore had a consolation score converted, like their other try, by Joe Lowe.
But 16-year-old Kian Roberts scored the final try for Ireland, for whom James Farrar kicked six conversions.
“There were some exceptional individual performances, but as a whole team performance, it was very good,” said Corcoran.
“There has been a big turnover of players and some new faces, but we all play the Ireland way (through the junior teams) and they understand it in and out, so they fall into place so well.”
Scotland coach Adam Houston said: “I’m proud of the effort the boys showed against a well-organised and physical Ireland side.
“We’ve taken some criticism over the years, but this shows that the pathway does work and we just need to give it some time to bear fruit. The future is bright for Scotland Rugby League.”
GREECE are Euro C champions after running out 68-14 winners over GERMANY in Crete.
Fullback Tyrone Tsagalias led the way with a hat-trick in nine minutes early in the second half, after Greece took a 22-10 lead into the break.
George Chionis and Leon Bakis followed up with doubles while Nick Tuliatu, Eddie Markopoulos, Alex Linoxylakis, Sam Stratis (who kicked ten goals) and Alex Aliu also scored tries.
Greece are promoted to Euro B and coach Steve Georgallis said: “It was pleasing to see how far our domestic players have come.
“We have a number of young local players coming through which is great for the game in Greece.”
Bob Doughton, whose Germany side are relegated to Euro D, said: “We have more than proved that we can compete at this level. We just need to do it for 80 minutes.”
Euro D began with ITALY enjoying a 40-6 success at NORWAY despite significant travel disruption which forced an overnight stay in Oslo beforehand.
Twins Simone and Sam Elrick Ngeng, who both play for Bedford Tigers, scored two and one try respectively in Sandnes.
Santino Decaro also bagged a double, with the other Italian tries coming from Davide Colla and Shann Brugel. Stefano Astolfi kicked six goals.
Joshua Silverstone-Utheim’s late try, converted by Andreas Vagen, was some consolation to Norway, whose coach Tim Jones said: “The score didn’t reflect the true game.”
Italy host Czechia in Abbiategrasso this Saturday and coach Gioele Celerino said: “It was a positive effort, especially having had such a long journey with cancelled flights and 15 hours in the airport.”
