England 27 Wales 44
Wales put in a superb performance to beat England 44 – 27 at Henley in the 5th-8th place play-offs of the IRB under 21 World Cup.
Wales scored six tries to England’s three and showed some flair and pace to boot. They will now play France at Newbury on Sunday (kick-off 1.15pm) in the fifth and sixth place play-off, with France having beaten Scotland 48-12.
England full back Ed Thrower opened the scores with a fifth minute penalty but his opposite number, Rhodri Gomer-Davies, who was playing his first game of the tournament, was at the end of some elusive running by the Welsh backs and went over for Nicky Robinson to convert.
The Cardiff outside half slotted a penalty four minutes later before the Welsh backs again combined well for Matthew Nuttall to score, taking the lead to 15-3 after 17 minutes.
England fought hard and centre Chris Bell was rewarded with a try after 20 minutes. Thrower converted and added a second penalty, but Robinson kicked his second penalty just before half time, taking the score to 13-18 in Wales’ favour at the break.
Wales came out raring to go in the second half, scoring two converted tries within six minutes of play and four in all. Nathan Brew, who had replaced Jonathan Vaughton in the starting line-up after Vaughton picked up an ankle injury in the warm-up, produced an excellent performance and grabbed the first and last of these with great aplomb.
Nuttall also got his second, a superb effort which started within Wales’ own 22 and involved forwards and backs before Nuttall touched down in the left-hand corner for Robinson to convert. Pontypridd centre Nuttall would have got his hat-trick after 67 minutes had he not been tackled over the line without the ball. Wales were awarded a penalty try for that which Nicky Robinson duly converted.
Wales dominated every section of play for the lion’s share of the game but some weak tackling and a drop in concentration allowed England to score two late tries from centres Andy Reay and Chris Bell, fullback Ed Thrower converting both.
Wales scorers:
Tries: R Gomer-Davies, M Nuttall (2), N Brew (2), pen try
Cons: N Robinson (5)
Pens: N Robnison (2)
England scorers:
Tries: C Bell (2), A Reay
Cons: E Thrower (3)
Pens: E Thrower (2)
