THE Welsh team, which featured Dinas Powys’ Anthony Trigg, made their debut in the Australian Rules World Cup on the weekend and performed well above anyone’s expectations, finishing sixth and winning two of their four games.

The squad of ex-pats, the majority of which hadn’t even picked up an AFL ball before November, secured a historic debut victory over the Netherlands, when Zeb Fleming kicked a late goal to squeeze a narrow five point win. Captain “Beefy” Blake and Dan Tanner also kicked goals to etch their names in the history books.

It didn’t get any easier for the fledgling team as they faced the Indigenous Australian Team in their second game. As expected the locals controlled the game and romped to a 42 point win, despite Wales competing for long periods and scoring a few goals, through Blake, Nathan McGrath and Rob Evans themselves.

Wales’ third game saw them up against Macedonia. The Macedonian team was made up primarily of heritage players who had been playing AFL for many years.

The Suns structured play caused Wales problems and saw them get out to a big lead. The Welsh team then held their own for the rest of the game going goal for goal with their more experienced opponents. Blake chipped in with another goal as did Grangetown’s Gareth Sturge, currently playing Aussie Rules in Mildura but goal of the day went to former junior Welsh rugby representative Damien Newland who bombed home from 60 metres to send the crowd into rapture.

Wales’ final encounter saw them take on Ethiopian province Oromia. Dinas Powys’ Anthony Trigg, a former Welsh basketball International with the most AFL experience of any of the Welsh squad, marshalled the troops and dominated the ruck throughout.

Trigg kicked vital goals to give Wales the buffer they needed to kick on and secure their second win with a 56 points to 13 victory. Blake managed to complete a unique feat by kicking a goal in every game.

Vice-captain Nathan McGrath, ex-Wales Lacrosse International, drove nine hours through the night to don the Dragon in the tournament. He said: “What a day! It was all worth it in the end. We got better and better in each game and the team spirit made me feel like I was back home! The two wins were the icing on the cake.”

Blake, a former Wales cricketer, said: “I’m very proud of every single one of the boys that have put their heart and soul into this. We have enjoyed every minute and have made a lot of new friends and shown the world what being Welsh and representing our small country is all about. I am confident that Wales will compete again, bigger and better in 2016.”

Lebanon beat Ireland in the World Cup Final by 48 points to 15 to defend their 2014 Title.