England found the world champions too hot to handle in an entertaining Deaf International at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry this afternoon, writes Paul Bolton.

England competed well in the first half and were level at 7-7 after 30 minutes.

But their errors were then punished with increasing frequency by an experienced and well-organised Wales side who eventually pulled away to record a second consecutive win in this fixture with six of their ten tries being scored in the second half.

"The better side won, there is no doubt about that," said Tony Stoyles, director of rugby of the England Deaf Rugby Union.

"They are the best side in the world and they showed why. They created space in our defence and they were able to select players from the higher divisions of the Welsh leagues.

"But we tried hard and we competed well for most of the first half.

"This is all part of learning process for us. We gave debuts to seven new caps today and there were some encouraging individual performances which has given us something to build on for next month's game against Scotland."

Stoyles praised the efforts of the England back-row of Brett Pruce (Aylestone St James), Ian Collins (Sevenoaks) and Matt Gilbert (Hartpury College) for their unstinting efforts in defeat.

Centre Guy Lavery (Tunbridge Wells) also had the satisfaction of scoring all England's points with a well worked try after 25 minutes which he also converted.

But Wales were always dangerous in attack and England struggled to cope with the penetrative running of centres Richard Hardy and Gareth John and the clever tactical play of fly-half and man-of-the-match Richard Lewis.

John opened the scoring with a long range interception try after nine minutes as England went in search of an early score to settle them and added another with a superb break from inside his own half after 30 minutes.

Two more tries in the dying minutes of the half effectively snuffed out England's hopes of avenging a 65-0 defeat last season.

Left wing Nigel Francis, who plays for Midlands One club Dudley Kingswinford, showed his paces to score the first of his two tries for Wales and full-back Michael Watkins followed a minute later.

The tries came thick and fast after the break with Hardy scoring two, flanker Adam Brake, Francis and Watkins again plus a penalty try sealing an emphatic win.

Lewis added eight conversions for good measure.

Georgia Horsley, the reigning Miss England, presented the England players with their caps before the game but it was Wales captain Matthew Campbell who collected the new Broadstreet Trophy from the Miss World contestant after the match.

England play Scotland at Broadstreet on March 9 (1pm).

England Deaf: Charlie James (New Brighton); Gavin Jackson (Selby), Guy Lavery (Tunbridge Wells), Matt Woodward (Chinnor), Alex Astbury (Twickenham); Mark Lewis (East Grinstead), Adam Smallwood (Bridgnorth); Rob Hill (Chinnor), Matt Vandenbrouck (Paignton), Nick Todd (Petersfield), Kris Mannering (Guildford), Andy Jones (Stamford), Brett Pruce (Aylestone St James), Ian Collins (Sevenoaks), Matt Gilbert (Hartpury College). Replacements used: Tom Cowdale (Wolverhampton), Tony Wilkinson (Chinnor), Daniel McAllister (Luton), Nick McKen (Burnham on Sea), Brett Hanratty (Ryton), Tim Quigley (Northampton Mens Own), Mark Todd (Andover).