Wales’s winless run against England continued as they were well beaten 28-7 at the Recreation Ground in Bath on Friday night.
Inside 30 minutes, Alex Willis, Archie McPharland, and Ioan Jones all crossed the whitewash as early dominance was applied in this Anglo-Welsh showdown.
Wales’s defence at times was heroic and a try from Huw Anderson reduced the hosts onslaught after the break.
However, a late score by replacement Scott Kirk secured the bonus point and total domination at the scrum proved to be enough to put aside Richard Whiffin’s side.
It was an edgy start from both sides as handling errors became apparent due to the conditions. It was the home side that had the first chance at scoring after a penalty at the scrum, flyhalf Rory Taylor kicked to the corner.
After successfully gathering at the line out, referee Aimee Barrett-Theron awarded a penalty to the visitors for obstruction in the driving maul.
Moments later, Toby Cousins kicked into space and forced the visitors to take the ball into touch.
Following the line out, the ball was spread wide through the English backline and Alex Willis crossed over in the corner for the first try of the evening.
Five minutes later, scrum-half Archie McParland sneaked his way through the Welsh defence after an offload from Craig Wright to cross for the hosts second.
Wright was involved again and nearly crossed over the whitewash for a try for himself, but some heroic defence from the visitors held the hooker up.
That didn’t stop the onslaught of pressure from England as they were knocking on the door of the Welsh try line.
On the 30 minute mark, try scorer Alex Willis showed a lot of skill as the Sale Sharks man created a huge opportunity after a brilliant kick, which set up full-back Ioan Jones who crossed in the corner.
With it seemingly being all England for the best part of 30 minutes, Wales responded accordingly with a try from Huw Anderson. Harri Wilde converted the extras which reduced the deficit to eight.
England concluded the first-half with 14 men as referee Aimee Barrett-Theron awarded Olamide Sodeke a yellow card.
HT: England 15-7 Wales
It didn’t prove to be a costly yellow card for the hosts as Wales could not capitalise with the extra man advantage. Flyhallf, Rory Taylor managed to successfully kick his first points of the evening as he kept the scoreboard ticking.
This was followed by replacement, Josh Bellamy who extended England’s lead further going into the final quarter.
England had another role of the dice as they went hunting for a bonus point. In the 73rd minute, Bath’s very own Scott Kirk powered his way through the strong Welsh defence to secure the bonus point.
Up next for Richard Whiffin’s side is a trip to Musgrave Park to face Ireland in a weeks time. Whereas England will travel to Edinburgh as they face a struggling Scotland side who have yet to pick up a win in this year’s Championship.
FT: England U20 28-7 Wales U20
England XV
15. Ioan Jones, 14. Toby Cousins, 13. Ben Redshaw, 12. Ollie Spencer, 11. Alex Wills, 10. Rory Taylor, 9. Archie McParland, 1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2. Craig Wright, 3. Billy Sela, 4. Olamide Sodeke, 5. Junior Kpoku, 6. Finn Carnduff, 7. Henry Pollock, 8. Nathan Michelow
Replacements: 16. Jacob Oliver, 17. Scott Kirk, 18. James Halliwell, 19. Joe Bailey, 20. Kane James, 21. Ben Douglas, 22. Josh Bellamy, 23. George Makepeace-Cubitt
Tries: 11’ Alex Willis, 15’ Archie McParland, 30’ Ioan Jones, 74’ Scott Kirk
Conversions: 74’ Josh Bellamy
Penalties: 45’ Rory Taylor, 60’ Josh Bellamy
Yellow Cards: 34’ Olamide Sodeke
Wales XV
15. Huw Anderson, 14. Harry Rees-Weldon, 13. Louie Hennessey, 12. Harri Ackermann, 11. Walker Price, 10. Harri Wilde, 9. Ieuan Davies, 1. Freddie Chapman, 2. Harry Thomas, 3. Patrick Nelson, 4. Jonny Green, 5. Osian Thomas, 6. Lucas de la Rua, 7. Harry Beddall, 8. Morgan Morse
Replacements: 16. Ewan Wood, 17. Jordan Morris, 18. Sam Scott, 19. Nick Thomas, 20. Owen Conquer, 21. Rhodri Lewis, 22. Harri Ford, 23. Macs Page
Tries: 32’ Huw Anderson
Conversion: 33’ Harri Wilde
Referee: Aimee Barret-Theron
Attendance: 9,604
Player of the Match: Henry Pollock
Words By Harry Tovey
HTSPORTSNEWS 