Following a horrendous flight from Sydney to Marochydore, where the first attempt at landing was aborted due to adverse weather conditions. The British Police were hoping for a smoother landing into the Police World Cup. Although, lots of people ended up gripping their seats in a nail biting game. Jon Hamer and Mark Robinson had tough decisions to make about the final squad and first team selection following the previous impressive performance against New South Wales Police. The side were hoping for slightly cooler weather conditions in Stockland Park, Kawana. However, on the morning of the game the tropical storm had cleared leaving blue skies and blistering mid day heat as the British Police kicked off their World Cup campaign against Papa New Guinea.
 
Both sides began the game confidently and tested each other defences with PNG coming out the best from the early exchanges. Taking the lead after five minutes scoring from a penalty following a high tackle close to the posts. British Police had a good re-start as Adam Fogarty regained Adam Newtons hanging kick. PNG gave away a penalty allowing Adam Newton to level the scores. A good burst from Daniel Adams placed Adam Newton in a good position to kick a cracking 40-20 giving the British Police a strong attacking position. Daniel Burton made a powerful burst and Steven Brown capailtalised on this position with a jinking run down the middle of the pitch. Adam Newton converted on the 10 minute mark taking the score to 8-2. The British Police continued to pressure with a god power set from the re-start involving strong drives from Andrew Eastham and a clever kick from Adam Newton which he re-gathered. The attack was curtailed by the first water break due to the searing heat. The PNG team returned to the action fired up, slightly too fired up as the touch judge had to intervene following a series of high tackles and swinging arms. The British side began to move the ball about with greater confidence and matched this attack with strong defence. A loose pass from the British Police allowed PNG to break away and score with a valiant attempt By Adam Fogerty to chase back. PNG missed the conversion, making the score 8-6 on the twenty minute mark. The British side entered a good period of sustained pressure. Resolute tackling by Andy Woodhead and Andrew Eastham causing PNG to make several errors. A good run by Daniel Adams who was held up over the line and a clever grubber kick by Jamie Dixon forced PNG to face a repeat set. A strong drive from Peter Sutcliffe forced his way over the line as the British pressure began to show. The try was unconverted taking the score to 12-6 with 5 minutes of the first half remaining. A sloppy penalty from the British side allowed PNG a shot at goal which they missed which marked the half time buzzer.
 
The GB side returned from the half time break rejuvenated with strong drives from Andy Woodhead and Rasheed Alawiye set up another jinking run from Steven Brown who released Andy Eastham to power his way over the line in the corner. The tough conversion was just missed by Adam Newton giving the British Police a 16-6 lead. Another period of British pressure was broken by a loose pass close to the PNG try line which was intercepted and PNG raced to the line. A good conversion from out wide scrapped over the cross bar taking the score to 16-12. PNG had renewed belief after the interception try and an elusive run from their half back was stopped just short of the line by a magnificent effort by Richard Whitehouse. However PNG scored on the next play with a powerful drive over the line. PNG missed the opportunity to go into the lead as the conversion sailed wide 16-16. PNG were pressing ahead and the drinks break came as a welcome relief to the British side so they could catch their breath. A nail biting fifteen minutes of high intensity football with crunching tackles from both sides began. It was broken by a smart spinning run by Peter Sutcliffe followed by some crisp inter passing amongst the forwards forced PNG to give away a penalty. Adam Newton stepped up to give the British side the lead 18-16 with eight minutes left on the clock. Both sides played well with PNG showing some great offloads in the tackle. The charge down of a British kick by PNG had the spectators on the edge of their seats. Fortunately the alert referee had spotted a knock-on as PNG were racing towards the line. The British side gave away a penalty in the last 45 seconds of play out of kicking distance but providing a nail biting final set close to the try line. The final score of the bruising encounter was 18-16.
 
Coaches Jon Hamer and Mark Robbinson will be hoping that all the British players recover quickly from this physical encounter in a searing heat. So they can begin the preparation to face the Australians on Saturday 8th at 3pm Stockland Park.
 
 

British Police:

Adam Foggerty, Steven Brown, Daniel Adams, Andrew Eastham, Adam Newton, Nicholas Smart, Peter Sutcliffe, Andrew Woodhead, Christopher Cowling, Daniel Burton, Richard Whitehouse, Philip Green, Paul McMillan, Christopher Sheffield, Mark Elvidge, Jamie Dixon, Rasheed Alawiye.