A handful of missed opportunities in the second half cost Welsh Schools Under 16s any chance of beating their English counterparts in front of a capacity crowd.
With the wind at their backs, England led 12-0 at the interval courtesy of two tries from Merchant Taylors Boys School No 8 Sam Moore and a conversion from Millfield School scrum half Cameron Browne.
After that, Wales dominated for the first 20 minutes of the second half, but were careless in their execution with a number of chances going begging.
No 8 Alun Lawrence (Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari) carried well whilst wing Ryan Conbeer (Greenhill School, Tenby) was a constant thorn in the England side. Centres Ben Thomas (Corpus Christi) and Dafydd Smith (Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg) also posed problems with openside Sion Edwards (Porth County), into everything.
To their credit, England weathered the Welsh storm and ran away with the game in the final 20 minutes. As Wales tired, there were tries for outside half Marcus Smith, replacement Ted Hill, full back Nick David and a second replacement, Tosin Segun.
Welsh Schools Under 16 head coach Simon Davies said, “There’s no doubt yesterday’s performance and result were disappointing. At times we created opportunities but one of the biggest lessons learnt was that you have to capitalise on every scoring opportunity at this level of the game.
“If you do, you can create momentum and put pressure on the opposition, but let’s take nothing away from England, they were excellent both individually and collectively. We were outplayed by the better team on the day and weren’t able to impose our game at all. The English defence also had a part to play in that, it was certainly one of the best England teams we’ve played in all the years I’ve been involved.
“Looking back over the season, there is still a lot to be positive about. We had a quick debrief after the game but each player will now receive an in-depth analysis of their performances, strengths and areas to work on as they move up into the Under 18 age group.”
Welsh Schools Under 16 v England:
Sam Dinsdale (Dragons/Bassaleg/Machen); Corey Baldwin (Scarlets/Bro Dinefwr), Dafydd Smith (Blues/Bro Morgannwg/Penarth), Ben Thomas (Blues/Corpus Christi/ St. Peters), Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets/Greenhill/Narbeth); Ben Jones (Blues/Afon Taf High/Mountain Ash), Harri Morgan (Ospreys/Langynwwyd/Bryncethin); Rhys Davies (Scarlets/ Haverfordwest/ Neyland), Iestyn Harries (Blues/Y.G. Cymer/Treorchy), Josh Reynolds (Dragons/Caerleon/NHSOB), Rhys Davies (Ospreys/Bishopston/Gowerton), Owen Lloyd (Blues/Stanwell/Penarth) Lewis Ellis-Jones (Scarlets/Penweddig/Aberystwyth), Sion Edwards (Blues/Porth County/Porth), Alun Lawrence (Blues/Y.G. Llanharri/Llantrisant)
Replacements:
Jordan Sakkas (Blues/Radyr/Pentyrch), Tom Stacey (Blues/ Porth County/Porth), Daniel Schwartz (Blues/Cardiff High/Rhiwbina), Tom Ireland-Life (Blues/ Y.G. Gymraeg Glantaf/Rumney), Daniel Davies (Scarlets/ Bro Dinefwr/ Llandeilo), Daniel Babos (Dragons/Croesyceiliog/Pontypool), Keiran Griffiths (Exiles/Milfeld/Havorfordwest), James McCarthy (Dragons/Caerleon/Machen)
