WALES U18 7 ENGLAND ACADEMIES U18 25
Both countries used a plethora of players in three periods of play which may have been dubbed a training match but which was hotly contested throughout – one bout of fisticuffs seeing referee Tim Hayes send a player from each side to the bin.
Not too much attention should be paid to the result of such a game involving 50 players – 27 for Wales and 23 for England – but Wales will have to show more urgency before they meet England in a full international at Worcester in five weeks’ time.
England – coached by former England back row Alex Sanderson – were more solid and better organised up front and stole a lot of Welsh ball at the breakdown whilst behind the scrum they had an excellent general in fly half Rory Clegg (Barnard Castle).
It was 7-7 after the first period; a try by Neath College wing Liam Powell cancelling out one by impressive England No.8 Rob Milligan (Rugby).
Powell’s try came after a quickly taken tap penalty by centre Dan Etteridge who along with his Coleg Sir Gar co-centre looked the liveliest of the home backs. The try was converted by Neath Port Talbot College fly half Matthew Jarvis.
Scrum half Rhys Downes (Rhydfelen) impressed with one 40 metre break which ran out of support but England looked better balanced behind the scrum and took some fine defensive work from St David’s College fullback James Loxton to keep them at bay.
England grew stronger as the game went on and two penalties from Fred Burns (Bath College) and tries from Millfield prop Mako Vunipola and Barnard Castle fullback Tom Catterick left Wales with little to complain about.
Wales face the French Academies at Ebbw Vale on February 24,th play two capped internationals against England at Worcester on March 2nd and Scotland at Ebbw Vale on March 16th before the high-profile Six Nations Festival in Cork, March 26th-April 2nd.
Scorers:
Wales U18
Try: L Powell
Con: M Jarvis
England Academies U18:
Tries: R Milligan, M Vunipola, T Catterick
Cons: R Clegg (2)
Pens: F Burns (2)
Wales U18
Backs used: Chris Lewis (Neath PT Coll & Ospreys), James Loxton (St David’s Coll & Blues), Ryan Bayliss (Coleg Powys & Ospreys), Liam Powell (Neath PT Coll & Ospreys), Ieuan Coombes (Gwynlliw & Dragons), Kristian Phillips (Neath Coll & Ospreys), Scott Williams, Daniel Etteridge (both Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets), Matthew Jarvis (Neath PT Coll & Ospreys), Chris Lewis-Pratt (Wellington College & Dragons / Exiles), Gareth Davies (Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets), Rhys Downes (Rhydfelen & Blues)
Forwards used: Stewart Maguire (St Joseph’s HS & Dragons), Dan Watchurst (Filton Coll & Dragons / Exiles), Gareth Jenkins (Swansea & Ospreys), Simon Gardiner (Pembs Coll & Scarlets), Trystan Davies (Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets), Rhys Williams (Pontypridd RFC & Blues), Craig Attwell (Cwmcarn HS & Dragons), Joel Galley (Ellesmere Col & Scarlets) (Capt), Tom Crandon (Cross Keys Coll & Dragons), Lloyd Peers (Bridgend Coll & Ospreys), Rhys Ruddock (Millfield & Ospreys), Ben Howe (Bryntirion CS & Ospreys), Rhys Jenkins (Newport HSOB RFC & Dragons), James King (Ellesmere Coll & Scarlets), James Thomas (Llandovery Coll & Dragons)
England Academies U18
Backs used: Freddie Burns (Bath Coll & Bath), Tom Casson (Sedbergh & Sale), Tom Catterick (Barnard Castle & Newcastle), Rory Clegg (Barnard Castle & Newcastle), Andrew Forsyth (QEGS Wakefield & Leicester), Sam Harrison (Leicester), Tom Homer (Milton Abbey & London Irish), Jordi Pasqualin (Hartpury College & Gloucester), Sam Harrison (Wyggeston & QE I Coll & Leicester), Sam Smith (Cranleigh & Harlequins), Jack Wallace (Aylesbury GS & Wasps)
Forwards used: Joe Marler (Richmond-upon-Thames Coll & Harlequins), David Blackwell (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester), James Currie (Millfield & Bath), Mako Vunipola (Millfield & Bristol), James Gaskell (Sandbach Boys & Sale), Sean Knight (St Peter’s VIth Form Centre & Gloucester), Jamie George (Haileybury & Saracens), Jamie Gibson (Marlborough Coll & London Irish), Tom Holmes (Sandbach & Sale), Rob Milligan (Rugby & Northampton), Jacob Rowan (Bradford GS & Leeds), Joe Trayfoot (Epsom College & Harlequins), Joe Barker (QEGS Wakefield & Leeds)
