U16 EUROPEAN CUP: 3rd PLACE PLAY-OFF

In the third-placed play off, the European Celts produced their best performance to just hold off the challenge of hosts Serbia, 22-20, in a fine game that enthralled the enthusiastic home crowd.

The sides were locked at 8-all going into the break when Welshman Jakes Brown’s long run set up Ethan Woodvine for a try, converted by Ian Marshall, to break the deadlock. Serbia had taken an early lead, Filip Brkić kicking two penalties to go with a try by winger Dragan Kranjčec. Hooker Kyle Blackmore cut the deficit and second rower Brown also crossed.

In a tense second period, the select side just held their composure as both teams scored two more touchdowns. Back rowers Stefan Nikolić and Nikša Unković were the home heroes, Brkić converting both while for the Celts, Woodvine and man of the match Brown both finished with a brace.

SERBIA
Emil Ćorović; Dejan Knežević, Stevan Stevanović, Dejan Hafizović, Dragan Kranjčec; Vuk Tvrdišić, Filip Brkić (c); Filip Jovanović, Stefan Timotijević, Sergije Simenović; Nikola Radivojević, Stefan Nikolić; Nikša Unković. Subs: Marko Jovanović, Nikola Kovačević, Dejan Aleksić, Marko Antić

EURO CELTS
Peter Carr, Lazar Pavlović, Ethan Woodvine, Carl Murray, Petr Dobremysl, Lada Šebek, Ian Marshall, Sam Powell, Kyle Blackmore, Dale Blackmore (c), Jan Buben, Jake Brown, Tom Beaumont. Subs: Kuba Smišek, Velibor Srećković, Vlad Maksimov, Michal Hora