May 4, 2007

English Universities 37 Combined Services Under-23 6

English Universities produced a superbly entertaining display of running rugby to establish their superiority over the Combined Services at Twickenham.

The students side had a point to prove after last year’s 26-23 defeat ended their 10-year winning streak in the series.

They made it in style by running in six sparkling tries, with Leeds Met wing Scott Armstrong touching down twice and impressive scores from Loughborough lock Ben Griffiths and full-back Tom Chesters, Exeter wing Hamish Smales, and St Mary’s prop Dan Murphy.

The Universities looked sharper from the opening minutes and their dominance up front gave their dangerous runners the chance to create too many openings for the Services to cover.

Captain Ben Griffiths (Loughborough) ploughed over in the corner after a line-out drive five minutes into the game to get them on the board with Rory Wood (Herts) adding a penalty soon after.

It was out wide where the Services were really stretched, particularly by Armstrong's pace, Liam Lonergan's movement and some sharp thinking in attack.

Scrum-half Wood created the second score with a tap and go break that took him 40 metres before he unloaded for Armstrong's opening try, and 10 minutes before the break Lonergan and Armstrong combined on the right to put full-back Chesters into the corner.

Services dug in again though and two penalties from Phil Thomas at least kept them in the game at 18-6 down at the break.

But their chances evaporated in the third quarter, when Armstrong cut them to pieces with a superb solo effort down the right and then when they were reduced to 14 men after scrum-half Ryan Walsh was yellow-carded for a high tackle on hooker Jon Moyce.

The Universities took advantage with a dazzling fifth try, Armstrong's initial break followed by half-a-dozen ambitious off-loads before Smales struck in the corner and Chesters added a touchline conversion.

A sixth followed from Murphy in the dying seconds with Chris Ashwin converting with the final kick of the game.

English Universities: Tom Chesters (Loughborough); Hamish Smales (Exeter), Liam Lonergan (St Mary’s), Phil Ellis (Herts), Scott Armstrong (Leeds Met), Dale Taylor (Durham), Rory Wood (Herts); Dan Murphy (St Mary’s), Jon Moyce (St Mary’s), Jamie Pearson (Birmingham), Ben Griffiths (Loughborough, captain), Dave Clements (Loughborough), Gary Holmes (Bath), Tom Yellowlees (Loughborough), Mark George (Hartpury).
Replacements: Matt Cross (Loughborough), Tim Pickard (Worcester), Rob Anderson (Imperial Medics), Harry Rowland (St Mary’s), Rob Springall (Nottingham), Chris Ashwin (Bath), Jake Guastella (Loughborough).

Combined Services U-23: Spr Rhydis Slade Jones; OCdt Mark Willis, OCdt Adam Newns, LCpl Jason Mills, Cpl Andrew Banks, Cpl Phil Thomas; Pte Ryan Walsh; SAC Stu Bratt, Mid Dale Smith, LCpl Dean Chapman, OCdt Dave Ferguson (capt), LCpl Nick Steynberg, SAC Paul Bowen, 2Lt Rory Thompson, OM(W) Gareth Cadmore.
Replacements: SAC Joe Avazian, CH Was Wasagatoni, Bdr Kenny Dowding, Pte Joe Baker, SAC Dai Birkby, Sub Lt Tom Glover, SAC Karl Craven.