2009 EUROPEAN U16 CUP – GAME 3

A penalty by ‘Player of the Tournament’ Tom Gilmour two minutes from time gave England the European Cup Under 16’s crown as they defeated France 22-14 in Belgrade.

The English were holding a one score advantage going into the final stages of a tremendous, passionate clash when a dangerous tackle allowed stand off Gilmour to pot the decisive goal.

France opened the scoring in the ninth minute, loose forward Pierre Louis Bourrel grubbering through on the last tackle for second rower Martial Romano to cross, Joan Guasch adding the extras.

Two tries in eight minutes from centre Chris Taylor gave England the lead, the first a superb length of the field solo effort, the second in the corner after a sweeping move and decisive pass from Gilmour, who converted the initial touchdown to make it 10-6 at the break. The French were aggrieved to have had what would have been an equalising score ruled out for a forward pass just before the break and they found themselves further behind straight after it, as England posted two tries in as many minutes.

Winger Mike McMeeken went over out wide after more fine handling across the line and Gilmour’s fine kick deceived the French defence for fellow winger Ben Warrilow to cross in the opposite corner, both tries being unconverted. Bourrel burrowed over on the hour to give France hope, Damien Cardace getting free out wide after the England defence had been sucked in to make it 20-14 to set up a frantic finale.

England held on, with Gilmour’s boot landing Chris Chapman’s men the trophy.

FRANCE U16
Valentin Ferret, Tony Maurel, Guillaume Guigue, Damien Cardace, Romain Peault, Joris Bissiere, Yoann Didone, Nicolas Varas, Joan Guasch, Thibaud Margalet, Charles Bouzinac, Martial Romano, Pierre-Louis Bourrel. Subs: Theo Bonneriez, Benjamin Garcia, Maxime Peault, Paul Barbaza 

ENGLAND U16
Jamie Hodgkiss, Mike McMeeken, Mark Percival, Chris Taylor, Ben Warillow, Tom Gilmour, Danny Yates, Liam McAvoy, Connor Spencer, Lewis Whitty, Ben Currie, John Bateman, Stevie Ward. Subs: Connor Farrell, Ben Finder, James Saltonstall, Lewis Foster