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January 13, 2008
The England 16 Group Divisional Festival* at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry concluded on Sunday with a 15-5 win for London & South East over the North, and a 10-10 draw between the Midlands and the South West.
The weather was windy but much kinder than the torrential rain which accompanied the opening matches on Friday (January 11), when the Midlands and London & South East drew 5-5, and the North beat the South West, 10-5.
In the first match, the North had withstood an opening 10 minutes of pressure before London & South East took the lead with a 70-metre interception try by right wing Charlie Sadler (St Benedict’s College and Eastern Counties).
The North levelled before half-time when fly half George Ford (Rishworth School and Yorkshire) danced past three tackles to score. Ford combined well throughout with the North’s inside centre and captain, Sam Stuart Sedbergh and Yorkshire), but the London forwards had the edge.
There was a reunion among the spectators as Saracens and England centre Andrew Farrell watched his son Owen – the London & South East captain and inside centre – alongside Ford’s father, Mike, the England defence coach and former Saracens head coach.
A try after several phases by left wing Sam Edgerley (Wellington College and Surrey) put London & South East ahead again at 10-5, then full-back Ben Ransom (Tonbridge School and Kent) sealed the win after a series of good offloads out of the tackle.
In today's second match Midlands led 5-0 after a try by full-back Alex Lewington (Nottingham High School and Notts, Lincs & Derbys). Good inter-passing by the forwards allowed the backs to work a scissors move and centre Sam Collins (Campion and East Midlands) sent Lewington at pace around his opposing full-back.
The South West – who were captained by lock/blind side flanker William Skuse, nephew of the London Irish and former England Under-21 prop Richard – went ahead with tries by No.8 Matt Kvesic (Blundell’s School and Devon) and replacement back Sean McDermottroe (The Forest School and Berkshire).
But the Midlands levelled the scores with Lewington again showing good pace as he hit the threequarter line for his second try.
Jamie Elliott (Bedford School and East Midlands) played at fly half in the opening half of 35 minutes, with Dan Robson (Newcastle under Lyme School and Staffs) taking over for the second half as the England selectors – as they did in both matches – tried out various combinations.
*This was the latest stage in the England 16 Group’s preparation for the Four Nations Tournament in Lyon from March 17 to 27 when England take on hosts France, Italy and Wales.
England Under-16s A will take part in the Millfield Festival from March 31 to April 6 alongside Canada, France A, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, USA and Wales A.
Following today’s completion of the first Divisional Festival, the England selectors will pick an elite squad of 40 players to train at the second Festival at Broadstreet RFC on Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26.
The remaining and additional players will make up a combined London & South East/South West team to take on the Midlands/North at Broadstreet on Sunday January 27 (10.30am).
The England selectors will then add 20 players to make a squad of 60 for a development session at Cokethorpe School from February 1 to 3 followed by a camp at Hartpury College (February 19-23).
The squad will be cut to 52 for a development session at Solihull School (February 29-March 2), and there will be a final training and development weekend each for England at Cokethorpe School (March 7-9) and England A at Solihull School (March 14-16).
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