WALES 4 ENGLAND 26
By Ian Golden at Stebonheath Park
Wales under 16s were unable to make it two wins in a row over England, losing out 26-4 at Stebonheath Park on Saturday.
Seven of last year’s successful Wales squad were back in this year’s side but unlike last year, where they took control of the second half, it was the boys in white who dominated after the break.
An error from kick-off put England on the attack and despite throwing everything at the Welsh, the red wall held firm. Jack Bibby was closest in the early stages after being held up over the line.
Wales then started to show some of their skills. Ewan Badham burst through the defence and Iwan Pyrs Jones was close to collecting a chip, instead winning a drop-out.
The defences continued to remain on top. England’s Jumah Sambou made an outstanding run, only to drop the ball whilst under pressure as he looked to place the ball over the try-line.
England weren’t to be denied. Sambou was the creator, slipping the ball to Joe Burton who ran home. The Welsh qualified Iwan Stephens, whose former Wales RU international dad Colin moved to Leeds in the mid-1990s, missed the conversion.
With the score at just 4-0 to England at half-time, the visitors looked to increase their lead straight away. Will Tate, one of five who were in the England under 16 side in last year’s game against Wales, crossed the line early on but it was ruled out for a forward pass. However he wasn’t to be denied, scoring from a scrum seven minutes into the half. Stephens converted.
England’s third try came on 52 minutes when Jude Ferreira scored an unconverted try in the corner. Nathan Carter quickly followed him over, then from the next play, Joe Burton added to the try count. Stephens converted the latter two to put England 26-0 up.
Wales scored a late consolation try through Brynmor Bradley that went unconverted.
TEAMS (bold – those who played in last year’s match)
WALES
1 Harvey McDaid (St Helens, Halton Farnworth Hornets, Saints Peter and Paul)
2 Iwan Pyrs-Jones (Wigan Warriors, Cardiff Blue Dragons, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf)
3 Iwan Johnes (Wigan Warriors, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf)
4 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Wigan Warriors, Cardiff Blue Dragons, Corpus Christi)
5 Shaun Webber (Aber Valley Wolves, Afon Taf High School)
6 Kyle Huish (Wigan Warriors, Aber Valley Wolves, Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni)
7 Jac Lloyd (Wigan Warriors, Cardiff Blue Dragons, Clifton College)
8 Kieran Lewis (West Wales Raiders, Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera)
9 Keenan McDaid (St Helens, Halton Farnworth Hornets, Saints Peter and Paul)
10 Reilly Scriven (Torfaen Tigers, The Dean Academy)
11 Ewan Badham (City of Hull Academy, Llanelli Knights, Milford Haven Comprehensive)
12 Morgan Jones (Radyr Comprehensive School)
13 Brynmor Bradley (London Broncos, Elmbridge Eagles, Hinchley Wood School)
Subs:
14 Josh Atkinson (Wigan Warriors, Cardiff Blue Dragons, Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf)
15 Jacob Lee (Wigan Warriors, Aber Valley Wolves, Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni)
16 Ieaun Badham (City of Hull Academy, Llanelli Knights, Milford Haven Comprehensive)
17 George Sheppard (West Wales Raiders, Cwmtawe Community School)
18 Luis Roberts (Salford Red Devils, Hindley ARLFC, St Mary’s Catholic High School)
Tries: Bradley (66)
Goals: Lloyd 0/1
ENGLAND
1 Iwan Stephens (Leeds Rhinos, Drighlington ARL, Morley Academy)
2 Jumah Sambou (St Helens, Woolston Rovers, Kings Leadership Academy)
3 Joe Burton (Leeds Rhinos, Kippax Welfare, St Wilfred’s High School)
4 Will Tate (City of Hull Academy, Skirlaugh Bulls, Caistor High School)
5 Jude Ferriera (City of Hull Academy, West Hull, Hull Collegiate)
6 Harry Shackleton (Bradford Bulls, Hunslet Warriors, Rodillian Academy)
7 Joe Barnes (Warrington Wolves, Halton Farnworth Hornets, Great Sankey High School)
8 Kai Tyson (City of Hull Academy, Skirlaugh, Malet Lambert)
9 Oli Burton (Leeds Rhinos, Kippax Welfare, St Wilfred’s High School)
10 Jack Bibby (Wigan Warriors, Shevington Sharks, Hawkley Hall High School)
11 Nathan Carter (Castleford Tigers, Kippax Welfare, Corpus Christi)
12 Danny Attley (Leeds Rhinos, Kippax Welfare, John Smeaton Academy)
13 Nathan Clemmitt (Newcastle Thunder, Cramlington Rockets, King Edward VI)
Subs:
14 Jacob Dugdale (Widnes Vikings, Wigan St Judes, Standish High School)
15 Harry Anderson (Leeds Rhinos, Kippax Welfare, Brigshaw High School)
16 James Patrickson (Wakefield Trinity, Castleford Panthers, St Wilfred’s High School)
17 Lewis Baxter (St Helens, Wigan St. Judes, Standish High School)
18 Robson Stevens (Huddersfield Giants, Birstall Victoria, Castle Hall Academy)
Tries: Burton (27), Tate (42), Ferriera (52), Carter (55), Stephens (58)
Goals: Stephens 3/5
Referee: James Jones
Half-time: 0-4
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