England fight back to beat Australia in opening Test

First Test of the Wheelchair Rugby League Ashes

Australia (12) 28

Goals: Schumacher 4; Anstey 2; Cannane

England (22) 56

In the final 23 minutes of England’s first Wheelchair Rugby League Ashes Test victory over Australia, Rob Hawkins scored a hat-trick.

Before their late rally, the world champions on Queensland’s Gold Coast had a 28-26 lead before Hawkins of the Halifax Panthers scored twice in the final three minutes.

The reigning world wheelchair champion finished with 20 points and four conversions in addition to his tries.

England had already a 16-0 lead within the first eight minutes, with Leeds Rhinos wing Nathan Collins scoring from close range before London Roosters’ Wheels of Steel winner Joe Coyd added the third.

However, Zac Schumacher responded for Australia, and Dan Anstey added a second for the hosts after Lewis King’s fine Collins pass restored England’s 16-point lead.

England increased their lead to 22-18 after Schumacher’s second try was scored just after half-time, and despite Collins’ subsequent evasion, they soon fell behind. Anstey’s second try was followed by a superb long-range try from Corey Cannane.

However, England responded with a fine pass from Collins, who drilled Mason Billington’s fourth conversion of the day to bring his total to 16 points.

After scoring a spectacular play from his Halifax Panthers team-mate Jack Brown, Finlay O’Neill made his Test debut with an England try.

Before Hawkins’ double pushed England past 50 points, Seb Bechara then soared clear down the right for the eighth try.