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England Lions

5 Jun 2022

Wales U16s beat England Community Lions

Wales U16s beat England Community Lions

Five years after their last notable scalp, Wales Rugby League celebrated on Saturday afternoon as their enthusiastic Under 16s battled hard to claim victory over England Community Lions Under 16s  in an entertaining, if scrappy encounter.

Following a solid opening from Wales it was England who opened the scoring after four minutes after Tom Papworth called for the ball on the last tackle and ducked down the left to feed Brandon Rowland to the try. Papworth couldn't convert and although England led 4-0, Wales were building nicely into the contest. 

They responded with some lovely hands on the left and Lloyd McEwan-Peters was just able to ground despite the attentions of Joshua Langley after 17 minutes. The conversion attempt went wide from Ethan Paterson.

Mistakes came in from both sides, yet it was the hosts who were able to convert into points and two tries in six minutes put them firmly in command.

Daniel Bartlett's will and want brought him a score and this time Paterson converted for 10-4, then after 32 minutes smart play around dummy half from Carter Pritchard saw him cross for four points with Paterson's boot making the score 16-4 to Wales at half-time.

With two lengthy subs benches, both teams made changes and it was England who capitalised first, pushing within range before Papworth linked with Rowland and his pass sent Harrison Dodd, switched from fullback to wing, over on the left. Papworth's goal made it 16-10, before Wales extended their lead.

What a powerful effort it was too - Troy Shearan charging past the otherwise impressive Harvey Roberts. Paterson added his third goal and it was 22-10.

The hosts then had wing Ethan Stebbings sinbinned for a high tackle in the 56th minute, but the England attack could not get the better of the home defence until just before he rejoined play - Dodd finishing a bullet pass from Papworth at the corner. Roberts was sinbinned for England and any lingering hopes of a fightback were ruled out over the final twelve minutes as Wales defended and defended to claim victory, almost claiming a try from Isaac Wheatley in the process, before celebrating at the end.

Wales U16: Ryan Williams, Ethan Stebbings, Ethan Paterson, Lloyd McEwan-Peters, Ben Morris; Charlie Stoddart, Isaac Wheatley; Lewis Jones, Dafydd Morgan, Rhodri Rees, Troy Shearan, Daniel Bartlett, Zak Williams.Subs: Jayden Grey, Oliver Ford, Kaden Johnson, Cory Westermark, Carter Pritchard, Callum Jones, Jake Nottingham.

Tries: McEwan-Peters (17), Bartlett (26), Pritchard (32), Shearan (53).Goals: Paterson 3/4.

England Community Lions U16: Harrison Dodd, Seth Abong, Olly Smart, Jamie Jennings, Cobie McGillivary; Tom Papworth, Josh Langley; Alfie Howley, Fletcher Holgate, Harvey Roberts, Brandon Rowland, Tyler Jowitt, Hayden Mitchell. Subs: Joe Davies, Jackson Evans, Ruben Ruane, Dan Robson, Marcus Geener, Cian Gleadall, Reece Smethurst.


Tries: Rowland (4), Dodd (46, 60).Goals: Papworth 1/3.


Half-time: 16-4

Full-time: 22-14