April 3, 2008

England U16 A 52 USA U17 10

James Trueman and Charlie Sadler each scored two tries as England Under 16 A defeated the USA in their second match of the Millfield International Festival today.

A much-changed team represented England two days after their opening setback against France’s Under 16s, and in a match of fast and furious rugby they eventually ran the hard-working Americans off their feet.

In an initial scoring flurry in bright Somerset sunshine at Millfield School, there was a try out wide for wing Trueman, converted by fly half Ryan Mills, followed by a converted try for the USA and a penalty goal by Mills.

The USA levelled at 10-10 with a penalty then full back Sadler went over to make it 15-10 to England.

It took a great chase back and cover tackle by scrum half Olly Shaw to prevent the USA scoring from an interception, and Shaw was soon up the other end of the field to score a try from 15 metres after his forwards had cleared the path for him.

Straight from the kick-off the ball went deep to England’s No 8 and captain for the day, Sam Heygate, who ran open and gave a long pass to centre George Elliott whose elusive run from 60 metres earned him England’s fourth try of the first half. Mills converted that and added a penalty for an interval lead of 30-10.

The USA kept tackling strongly but they began to tire during the third quarter and an attack from deep brought Sadler his second try, converted by Mills.

With England’s support play occupying the USA defence, quick passing allowed centre Will Dunkley to find a gap and go over from long range, then Trueman chased a rare England kick from hand by wing Josh Allan and got a favourable bounce for the seventh try and 47-10.

A rousing gallop by second-row forward Addison Lockley finished the scoring off.

Guy Armitage came on in the second half to complete a winning double after his exploits in the centres for Wellington College in the Daily Mail Schools U18 Cup final at Twickenham a day earlier.

In other matches at the Festival today, there were wins for Canada U17 (33-15 v France U16), Scotland U17 (36-3 v Portugal U17) and Wales U16 A (55-8 v Romania U17).

The Festival concludes this Sunday (April 6) when England U16 A take on their counterparts from Wales on Millfield’s Jubilee pitch.

England Under 16 A: C Sadler (St Benedict’s College & Eastern Counties); J Trueman (Solihull School & Warwickshire), G Elliott (Easingwold School & Yorkshire), W Dunkley (Bedford School & East Midlands), J Allan (North Halifax Grammar & Yorkshire); R Mills (West Exe Technology College & Devon), O Shaw (Bradford Grammar & Yorkshire); L Padian (Bishop Challoner Sports College & North Midlands), C Clare (Sedbergh School & Yorkshire), W Bigley (Wellingborough School & East Midlands), S Farmer (Bedford School & East Midlands), A Bone (Harrow School & Middlesex), W Skuse (Penair School & Cornwall), J Stephenson (Canford School & Dorset and Wiltshire), S Heygate (Guilsborough School & East Midlands, capt). Replacements: K Britton (Kingsbridge Community College & Devon) for Clare, T Williams (Abraham Darby & North Midlands) for Bigley, A Lockley (Ivybridge College & Devon) for Farmer, G Armitage (Wellington College & Berkshire) for Elliott, T Barrett (Sedbergh School & Yorkshire) for Mills, W Radburn (Tudor Grange & North Midlands) for Stephenson. Not used: B Ransom (Tonbridge School & Kent), M Yarde (Gunnersbury Boys Catholic School & Middlesex), M Hogan (King Edward VII & Eastern Counties), G Burkinshaw (Ecclesfield School & Yorkshire), S Northcote-Green (Dulwich College & Surrey).

Tries: Trueman 2, Sadler 2, Shaw, Elliott, Dunkley, Lockley; cons: Mills 3; pens: Mills 2.

USA squad: R Anderson, E Anton, J Borup, P Bosco, J Brady, R Brennan, T Brennan, A Brussard, M Cima, A Coquillard, J Cowley, T de Nysschen, H Dirksen, M Earley, W Holder, A Jackson, S Kelly, C Kiser, J Marshall, C Mills, C Rahrig, L Riley, P Rogers, D Russ, A Thomas, S Winn.

Millfield International Festival 2008

Competing teams: England U16 A, Wales U16 A, France U16, Scotland U17, Canada U17, USA U17, Portugal U17, Romania U17.

Fixtures/results (all matches at Millfield School unless stated):

Tuesday April 1:

Wales v Scotland 21-17

Canada v Romania 45-0

USA v Portugal 34-3

England U16 A v France U16 25-33 (at Tor RFC)

Thursday April 3:

Romania v Wales 8-55

Scotland v Portugal 36-3

France v Canada 15-33

England U16 A v USA U17 52-10

Saturday April 5:

France v Scotland (4pm)

Sunday April 6:

Portugal v Canada (9.30am)

Romania v USA (9.30am)

England U16 A v Wales U16 A (11am)

Ends