WALES U19 v ENGLAND U18

England once again showed their superior fitness and Super League training as they racked up the points against Wales on Friday night in Taff’s Well. The visitors, who had been staying in Cardiff for the last week thanks to RFL funding, scored 12 tries in total in their 64-4 win, but Wales’ cause wasn’t helped by the match officials as they always seemed to be on the wrong end of the 50-50 decisions.

Played in front of the BBC Wales cameras, England took less than a minute to take the lead as Jansin Turgit was put in space down the centre and scored under the sticks. Ryan Hampshire converted. Oliver Gildart followed him over from kick-off with a well worked move seeing him ground in the corner. Hampshire did well to goal in under three minutes, Wales were 12-0 down.

Wales looked for a try from their first attack but after twice being blocked on the line, Chris Leyshon’s try was chalked out by the referee after Courtney Davies’ knock down to him was obviously forward. Not as obvious was when Connor Farrer had a try disallowed for off-side and Wales were denied for a second time.

Wales finally got over the line on 23 minutes when Kylum Austin forced his way over. Courtney Davies missed the kick. But England addressed the balance from their next attack when Ash Handley touched down in the corner and Hampshire goaled. And they extended their lead on 34 minutes when George Williams broke through to score under the sticks with Ryan Hampshire converting. Jake Connor scored England’s fifth, in the corner, just before the interval to give them a commanding 30-4 lead.

They started the second half well too. Jordan Baldwinson scored from their first attack, and after receiving what suspiciously looked like a forward pass, the same player dived under the sticks eight minutes later. A well worked move gave England their next try as Toby King grounded in the corner then Ash Handley followed him over from England’s next set to make the score 48-4.Wales tried to fight back but again Farrer was ruled to be offside when he received the ball before touching down.

That was it for Wales as the English finished the game in style. From the restart Hampshire scored a try of his own before converting. Ryan Sutton scored the next with Hampshire converting before Handley got his hat-trick in the dying seconds.

Wales coach Geraint Davies said: “The scoreline was disappointing but you can’t fault the boys for their effort. But England were a good side, well coached with many of their boys playing Super League. Most of their players are full-time and that’s the big difference. I’ve played in a full-time environment with Celtic Crusaders and I know how much players like that are learning. It was frustrating to watch at times with decisions not going our way but you can’t take anything away from England as they played a good game out there.”

England coach John Winder was happy with his players’ week. Following their 36-0 win over Wales in the first game last Sunday, the players were in camp in South Wales. “It’s been a really good camp. The boys have taken to everything we’ve put in front of them, they’ve had two enjoyable and convincing wins which has been good. The score was a lot higher than the first game and I think that was down to how good we were with the ball today. We defended well and took our chances. I couldn’t be more pleased with how it’s gone for us this week.”

Highlights of the match will be shown on two special packages next week. In Welsh it can be seen on S4C Newyddion on Thursday from 9pm, which in English it will be on Friday’s Wales Today on BBC1 from 6.30pm as part of their special Rugby League World Cup preview.

WALES U19
Jordan Sheridan, Lewis Stockton (Conwy Celts), Jacob Morgan (Leeds Rhinos), Matthew Davies (North Wales Crusaders), Kylum Austin, Michael Connor, Courtney Davies, Connor Farrer, Joe Festa, Rhys Finney, Rhys Fitzgerald, Jordan Howells, Alex Jones, Chris Leyshon, Daniel Parry, Osian Philips (South Wales Scorpions), Bradley Mais, Rhys Pugsley (Wigan Warriors)

ENGLAND ACADEMY
Nathan Conroy, Alex Mellor (Bradford Bulls), Jake Connor, Tyler Dickinson, Kruise Leeming (Huddersfield Giants), Jansin Turget (Hull FC), Jordan Baldwinson, Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), Lewis Charnock (St Helens), Toby King, Tom Walker (Warrington Wolves), Ben Austin, Ryan Hampshire, Oliver Gildart, Rob Lever, Ryan Sutton, Lewis Tierney, George Williams (Wigan Warriors)