England are in pole position to win a 14th Student Four Nations title when they take on Wales on Saturday, having dispatched Scotland with a 48-18 win on Wednesday.
Scotland held their own for the first half but were unable to match the fitness and stamina of the English during the second half.
Fergus Simpson twisted over to give Scotland a third-minute lead with Luke Punton converting after they had made field position from a penalty.
But Joe Riley brilliantly struck back, going in under the sticks with Jack Mallinson’s conversion levelling things and England were soon leading as Jordan Bull charged over from close range and Mallinson converted again.
Scotland levelled things on 28 minutes, Jonny Hutton scoring in the corner and Punton goaling from the touchline.
But the the pendulum swung again when Mike Holden raced in on the wing in for England’s third try and Mallinson kept up his one hundred percent kicking record to give them an 18-12 half-time lead.
The first half was even, but England dominated after the break. The increased their lead early on when Charlie McCurrie ran the ball in under the sticks and Mallinson converted.
Christian Gale took advantage of a huge gap for England’s fifth try. Mallinson’s kick took the score up to 30-12.
Adam Lavin was next over, under the posts to again make the conversion easy for Mallinson and the score was 36-12.
Then came a try for Iwan Orr, scored near the corner, but Mallinson still landed the kick. Matty Rudd’s try, England’s eighth, was slightly nearer the posts. Mallinson converted again to put the score up to 48-12.
Pete Burns was yellow carded with five minutes remaining but it was Scotland who went over for the final score of the game through George Murray, Punton on target with the goal.
England now face Wales on Saturday, 5pm Kick Off at Sardis Road, with a win guaranteeing them the title.
England
- 1) Nathan Redmond (Loughborough University)
- 2) Mike Holden (University of Glouvestershire)
- 3) Joe Wardill (Leeds Beckett University)
- 4) Leon Stewart (University of Hull)
- 5) Jack Cherry (University of Nottingham)
- 23) Jack Mallinson (Leeds Beckett University)
- 7) Joe Riley (University of Leeds)
- 8) Christian Gale (London South Bank University)
- 9) Alfie Crawford (Leeds Beckett University)
- 10) Jordan Bull (Leeds Beckett University)
- 11) Charlie McCurrie (University of Leicester)
- 12) Daniel White (Northumbria University)
- 13) Jake Lightowler (Northumbria University)
Subs:
- 15) Adam Lavin (Lancaster University)
- 21) Iwan Orr (Leeds Beckett University)
- 6) Matty Rudd (Manchester Metropolitan University)
- 24) Isaac Coleman (University of York)
- 18th Man: 29) Nathan Rushworth (Northumbria University)
Tries: Riley (9), Bull (18), Holden (32), McCurrie (44), Gale (49), Lavin (54), Orr (62), Rudd (68)
Goals: Mallinson 8/8
Scotland
- 1) Jonny Hutton (Furness College)
- 14) Ollie Rees (Loughborough University)
- 3) Cameron MacDonald (University of Exeter)
- 4) Pete Burns (Edinburgh University)
- 5) Mackenzie Cumming (University of Gloucestershire)
- 6) Fergus Simpson (Open University)
- 7) Luke Punton (Sydney School of Business Technology)
- 26) Connor Terrill (Furness College)
- 9) Cameron Young (Northumbria University)
- 10) Jack McMillan (University of Bradford)
- 11) Ben Morris (Northumbria University)
- 17) George Murray (University of Gloucestershire)
- 13) Jordan Duncan (British Academy of Gardening and Design)
Subs:
- 18) Finlay Hamilton (Loughborough University)
- 8) Mikey Mair (Open University)
- 2) Ben Jardine (Northumbria University)
- 15) Lochlann Nairn (Fettes College)
Tries: Simpson (3), Hutton (28), Murray (78)
Goals: Punton 3/3
Sin Bin: Pete Burns (75) – Professional Foul
Referee: Will Gilder
Half-time: 18-12
