WALES (Sep 1) 15 ENGLAND (Sep 1) 21
Next year all U18 rugby will be based on the global January 1 cut off date rather than the old traditional academic September date. There have been many opponents of the change, notably in Welsh Schools Senior group circles but the WRU determination to control rugby at U18 and appoint “professionals” to coach and administrate brooked no interference.
After the disappointing 33-13 defeat by Irish Schools the week before, coach Kevin George packed the side against England with players who had performed well in the Four Home Nations Jan 1 Festival. The changes brought only limited improvement, England showing the better control up front and the sharper presence behind.
Manager Ron Shottle was honest enough to admit that Wales had “no complaints as England possession was of better quality and their use of it crisper”. It was only by three tries to two that England carried the day but they were in control for most of the game until a good last ten minutes from Wales did, at least, make for an exciting finale.
England led 14-5 at the break after tries from big lock and captain Glen Towson (Kirkham CS) and centre Jack Adams (St Peter’s HS) had trumped a well crafted try from Cwmcarn HS wing Marcus Johnstone. When the bustling, burly Jon Davies (Dyffryn Taf) powered through weak tackling to cross in the first minute of the second half for a try converted by Bro Myrddin fly half Rhys Priestland , Wales looked back in business.
It was not to be as the English backs threatened time after time before full back Peter Swatkins (Crypt) finished off a sweeping move for a crucial try. Fly half Giles Pryor (Aylesbury GS) kicked his third conversion before the Welsh pack started to impose some kind of authority in the final quarter. Sadly, captain and prop Hugh Gustafson (Coleg Sir Gar) squandered a clear overlap and although a Priestland penalty brought Wales to within six points, there was to be no way through solid English tackling.
Wales
Tries: M Johnstone, J Davies
Con: R Priestland
Pen: R Priestland
England
Tries: G Townson, J Adams, P Swatkins
Con: G Pryor (3)
Wales U18s
W Harries (Millfield & Dragons)
M Johnstone (Cwmcarn HS, Pontypool Utd & Dragons)
G Maule (St Alban’s CS, Pontypool Utd & Dragons)
J Davies (Dyffryn Taf, Narberth & Scarlets)
J Norris (Bettws HS, Newport HSOB & Dragons)
R Priestland (Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen Ath & Scarlets)
L Williams (Maes Yr Yrfa, Llanelli & Scarlets)
H Gustafson (Coleg Sir Gar, Pontyberem & Scarlets) (capt)
A James (Neath PT Coll, Bonymaen & Ospreys) (rep M Jones (Pencoed CS, Treorchy & Blues) 65’)
J Corsi (Bassaleg CS, Newport & Dragons) (rep K Jenkins (Tonypandy CS, Treorchy & Blues) 61’)
J Murphy (Downside, St Peters & Blues) (rep A Brown (Bassaleg CS, Pontypool Utd & Dragons) 50’)
J Turnbull (Emlyn, Newcastle Emlyn & Scarlets)
L Evans (St Joseph’s CS, Newport HSOB & Dragons)
L Williams (Strade, Llangennech & Scarlets)
R Cridland (Bishop Gore CS, Mumbles & Ospreys) (rep B Flower (St Cenydd CS, Pontypool Utd & Dragons h-t)
England U18s
P Swatkins (Crypt School)
C Bishay (Spelthorne Coll)
K Brant (Filton College)
J Adams (St Peter's RC HS)
P Wackett (St Peter’s, York)
G Pryor (Aylesbury GS)
S Alford (Sheldon School) (rep J Simpson (St Benedict’s School) h-t)
R Batty (Barnard Castle ) (rep M Mullan (Bromsgrove School) 69’)
M Wernham (Sedbergh) (rep J Mason (Sawyers Hall College) 72’)
C Steel (Sedbergh) (rep O Tomaszczyk (Merchiston Castle School) 62’)
I Kench (Tupton Hall School)
G Townson (Kirkham GS) (capt)
F Clieverd (City of Bath Coll) (rep J Miller (City of Bath Coll) 57’)
J Cann (St Benedict's)
T Wood ( Woodlands School)
Referee: P Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
By Huw S Thomas
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