Tries from captain and flanker Gethin Davies and outside half Luke Scully, plus 13 points from the boot of Scully was enough to see Wales home.
A capacity crowd saw England take the lead inside four minutes courtesy of a penalty from Coalan Englefield. Scully levelled five minutes later, with the first of his three successful penalty kicks, before England once again stole a march thanks to a converted try from Oliver Lawrence, Englefield adding the conversion.
Scully, once more, replied with a penalty, but with England in buoyant mood, Morgan Passman scored England’s try to make it 15-6 to the visitors and making the prospect of a Wales win seem highly unlikely.
However, if the opening 25 minutes had belonged to England, the remaining ten minutes prior to the interval, certainly belonged to Wales.
Skipper Davies, of Scarlets, Crymych and Ysgol y Preseli Davies helped himself to Wales’ first try after Scully chipped ahead and after Scully converted, the young Dragons found themselves in front when the Llangatwg School, Ospreys and Neath Athletic outside half converted his own try two minutes before the break.
A third successful penalty, 11 minutes into the second period, took Wales eight points clear and though the impressive England centre Lawrence dashed over for his second try that Kieran Wilkinson converted, Wales managed to hold on for a notable victory.
Head coach Robert Sidoli said, “Defensively I thought we showed steely character, and although we made some mistakes in the first half, we pulled ourselves up and kept going, which I’m really pleased with.
“The boys had a license to play, which was evident in the first half with a quick tap penalty that produced a try.
“We had the bounce of the ball on a superb surface, and the crowd really gave the boys a boost, but what I was most impressed with was the determination and character the boys showed in defence when things got tight in the second half. Each one of them made their one on one tackles and got up for more each time.
“Their attitude was outstanding and the experience they’ve gained over the last few weeks, first with the regional competition, then juggling school and travel to come in to train with Wales, and bring it all together on an occasion like this will stand them in good stead going forward.
“It’s a win to be proud of and a memory they will keep for the rest of their lives.”
Wales scorers:
Tries: G Davies, Scully
Cons: Scully (2)
Pens: Scully (3)
England
Tries: Lawrence (2), Passman
Cons: Englefield, Wilkinson
Pen: Englefield
Welsh Schools U16 v England:
Harri Dole (Scarlets/ Llandovery RFC/ Ysgol Dinefwr); Rio Dyer (Dragons/ Pill Harriers/ Bassaleg High), Ben Cambriani (Ospreys/ Gowerton RFC/ Bishopston), Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Ospreys/ Trebanos/ Llangatwg), Ioan Davies (Blues/ St Peters/ Glantaf); Luke Scully (Ospreys/ Neath Athletic/ Llangatwg), Dan Babos (Dragons/ Pontypool Utd/ Croesyceiliog); Nathan Evans (Dragons/ Newbridge RFC/ Oakdale), Will Griffiths (Dragons/ Abergavenny RFC /West Mon), Adam Thomas (Scarlets/ Burry Port RFC / Strade), Cian Lewis-Hughes (Blues/ Ystrad Rhondda/ Cymer), Iestyn Rees (Scarlets/ Llandovery/ Bro Dinefwr), Ioan Rhys Davies (Blues/ Abercynon/Rhydywaun), Gethin Davies (capt, Scarlets/ Crymych RFC/ Y Preseli), Taine Basham (Dragons/ Talywain/ Abersychan)
Replacements: Dom Booth (Scarlets/ Tenby/ Greenhill), Tyler Pugsley (Scarlets/ Felinfoel/ Strade), Ben Warren (Blues/ Treorchy/ Treorchy), Rob Brookson (Dragons/ Pontypool Utd/ West Mon), Callum James (Blues/ Brecon RFC/ Brecon HS), Sam Cambriani (Ospreys/ Gowerton RFC / Gowerton), Llew Smith (Scarlets/ Llandovery RFC/ Llandovery Coll), Rhys Davies (Blues/ Merthyr RFC/ Cyfarthfa)
