UNDER 18 COMMUNITY INTERNATIONAL – WALES 24 ENGLAND LIONS 42

UNDER 18 COMMUNITY INTERNATIONAL

WALES 24 ENGLAND LIONS 42

By Ian Golden

England Lions under 18s ran out 42-24 winners against a Wales side who battled all the way.

However the English side just had a bit too much rugby league knowledge for the Welsh and the scoreline isn’t quite reflective of how hard the Welsh team fought.

Wales took an early lead. Euan Morris scored out wide and Elliot Jenkins, who has also been named in the full Wales train-on side ahead of the World Cup, converted.

However England soon addressed the balance with a try from Will Tully converted by Cole Connolly before Eddie Wilcock went over from dummy half to give them a lead they wouldn’t give up. Connolly’s second goal made it 12-6.

Sean Collins went over in the corner for Wales’ second try which went unconverted before England score again through a Curtis Teare break finished off by Charlie Taylor with Connolly converting to make it 18-10.

England extended their lead to 24-10 when Wilcock crossed for his second try which Connolly improved but Wales hadn’t given up as Morris scored his second of the day which went unconverted

However England went into half-time with a strong 30-14 lead after Liam Kenyon set up Charlie Taylor to score under the sticks. Connolly kept up his 100% first half kicking record.

Wales started their comeback 15 minutes into the second half. Brett Thomas scored out wide but again, agonisingly for Wales, it went unconverted.

They closed the gap further through a Nye Walker try that Jenkins converted and despite it being five tries each, Wales were still six points down with just ten minutes to go.

England then pulled away with two tries in the closing stages to seal the win. Will Ashworth ran 70 metres to score under the sticks and from kick-off, Wilcock grabbed his hat-trick. Connolly converted both.

Wales: Karlin Claridge (Cardiff Blue Dragons), James Smith (West Wales Raiders), Fraser Stroud  (Torfaen Tigers), Eauan Morris (Torfaen Tigers), Sean Collins (West Wales Raiders), Cobi Green (Valley Cougars), Elliot Jenkins (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Jacob Hitchcox (North Wales Crusaders), Macauley Harris (Valley Cougars), Ellis Simon (West Wales Raiders), Morgan Cross (Rhondda Outlaws), Dewi Billingham (Torfaen Tigers). Subs: Jack Morris (Cardiff Blue Dragons), Taine Hendy (Rhondda Outlaws), Nye Walker (Rhondda Outlaws), Brett Thomas (Torfaen Tigers).

Tries: Morris (6, 34), Collins (22), Thomas (55), Walker (68). Goals: Jenkins 2/5

England Lions: Charlie Taylor (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Curtis Teare (Wath Brow Hornets), James Goulbra Miller (West Hull), Jordan Bull (Lock Lane), Will Ashworth (Leigh Miners Rangers), Kier Shepard (Askam), Cole Connelly (Rochdale Mayfield), Will Tully (Leicester City Roosters), Eddie Wilcock (New College Pontefract), Leon Harber (Wigan St Judes), James Beckett (Featherstone Lions), Tom Goulding (Blackbrook Royals), Liam Kenyon (Blackbrook Royals). Subs: Titus Gwaze (Halifax Elite Academy), Sam Dore (Brixton Bulls), Jack Thompson (Egremont Rangers), Kelland Thomas-Smith (Brixton Bulls)

Tries: Tully (10), Wilcock (18, 29, 77), Taylor (25, 38), Ashworth (72). Goals: Connolly 7/7