- Bond and Warne tries seal close win for England Under 16
- Brave defence halts physical Americans
England North Under 16s battled to a 12-6 win over United States Under 17s to preserve their unbeaten record at this season’s Wellington International Festival in Berkshire.
The United States posed a tough physical challenge for England North but heroic defence denied them a try and restricted them to just a penalty in each half.
England North scored the only tries of the match, the first a breakaway effort from wing Jack Bond (Torquay Boys GS, Torquay and Devon) and the second a well-constructed one from centre Ned Warne (Truro School and Cornwall).
Fly half Harry Mallinder (Rugby School and East Midlands), the son of Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim, converted one of the tries.
"The United States were a big side. They were physical and strong and we spent a lot of time defending,” said England North team manager John Cooper.
"But the boys defended very well and, judging by the disappointment of the Americans at the end, this was a game that they could win.2
England North play their final match at the Welington International Festival on Friday, April 13 against Scotland Under 16s at 10am.
England South Under 16s play Canada Under 17s at Wellington College on April 11 (10am) followed by Wales Under 16s A on April 13 at 1pm.
