No less than 7 tries helped England’s U19 players on their way to a convincing 39-9 victory against their Italian counterparts in Cosenza, Italy on Saturday. In the most beautiful weather conditions the south of Italy could offer for February, England had broken the back of Italy with 2 tries in quick succession just before half time and they never looked back after that. Italy failed to put a point on the scoreboard in the second half.
Full back Topsy Ojo of London Irish and a member of the Junior National Academy had an excellent game, which did not go unnoticed by the England U19 coach and manager Tosh Askew.
“We played some fantastic rugby today. Topsy had a very good game, scoring tries just before half time and in the 33rd minute. I’m very pleased with his performance. But the Italian defence was good. England could have got 3 or 4 more tries with a bit more precision in handling. They caused us to turn over ball we shouldn’t have but our basic game was good and with time this will be an even better side.”
Scoring sequence:
3 minutes Italy penalty
10 minutes - England try by Tom Ryder, Leicester Tigers, (Captain) (lock)
13 minutes Italy drop goal
16 minutes - England try by Matthew Cook, Woodhouse School & Leeds Tykes (flanker)
Converted by Ryan Lamb, St Peters High School & Gloucester (Junior National Academy)
29 minutes - England try by Rob Vickerman, Hymers School & Leeds Tykes (flanker)
32 minutes Italy penalty goal
33 minutes - England try by Topsy Ojo, London Irish (Junior National Academy)
Half time score 22-9
58 minutes - England try and conversion by Ryan Lamb, St Peters high School & Gloucester (Junior National Academy)
69 minutes - England try by Topsy Ojo
One minute into injury time - England try by Tom Dawes, Colston’s Collegiate School & Bath (Junior National Academy)(centre) |
