England ran in five tries to nil in their biggest victory in Cardiff, and it could have been even more embarrassing if goal-kicker Alex King had slotted more than five out eleven attempts at goal. The England backrow of Martin Corry, Lewis Moody and Joe Worsley ran riot all day on the back of powerful demolition job by their front five. England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall ran the ball at will and the new centre pairing of South African-born Stuart Abbott and Jamie Noon were dangerous on attack.
For the home side, flanker Martyn Williams played himself to a standstill and winger Mark Jones made the most of limited opportunities. A tenth-minute Stephen Jones penalty goal put Wales in the lead, but it lasted barely four minutes. King converted two simple goals from in front. Moody opened the try-scoring when he was pushed over from a close-range line-out, and King converted from the sideline.
Jones narrowed the margin in the 27th minute with his second penalty goal, but it soon became clear that three-pointers weren’t going to be enough for the home side. King kicked a dropped goal but Jones’s third penalty goal kept the home side in the match at 9-16 at the break.
England winger Dan Luger stretched out to score near the posts midway through the second half and King’s conversion took the score to 23-9;Â it was game over. King added a penalty goal and England began to cut loose. Big No.8 Joe Worsley, who had enjoyed almost a free rein all day, scored off the back of a five metre scrum, and debutant centre Stuart Abbot burrowed over to take the score to 9-36.
