England Community Lions overcame their Wales counterparts winning 32-16, but they’ll need to wait six weeks before knowing if they’re champions.
Their win puts England top of the table with two wins out of three and a points difference of plus 44. Ireland and Scotland meet at the end of October and both are on negative points differences, Ireland on minus 14 and Scotland on minus 28, so a big win is needed by one of those Celtic nations to take the title.
Wales, are guaranteed second or third place in the table. Early on the Lions went 12-0 up through scores from Dylan Grears and Luke Sutcliffe. Grears making the most of a clever switch in direction and Sutcliffe storming down the middle. Harley Nelson converted both, but a Harrison Doe try in the corner just before the break gave Wales something to build on.
The Community Lions quickly extended their lead and five minutes into the second half, they were 22-4 up. First Joshua Blinkhorn scored near the corner, then Devan Sharp’s try under the sticks made it easy for George Jamieson to convert.
Wales refused to give up and Alex Banks’ try, converted by Llewellyn Hawkes, brought them back into the game.
But the Community Lions sealed the game as Blinkhorn scored a brace to complete a brilliant hat-trick with Jamieson adding four goals in total, with one effort hitting the posts. Jayden Grey got a late consolation try for Wales that Hawkes improved.
WALES U18: Dylan Morgan* (London Broncos), Brandon Richards* (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Oliver Ford* (Aber Valley Wolves), Donavan Rankin (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Harrison Doe (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Charlie Stoddart (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Llewellyn Hawkes (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Alex Banks* (Torfaen Tigers), Dafydd Morgan* (London Broncos), Connor Lacey* (Cynon Valley Cavaliers/Salford Red Devils), Jamie Jenkins (Cardiff Blue Dragons), George Birch (London Broncos), Charlie Glover (Halton Farnworth Hornets/Salford Red Devils). Subs: Mason Apsee* (Rhondda Outlaws), Jayden Grey (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Lewis Jones* (Aber Valley Wolves), Bryce Roberts (Rhondda Outlaws), Cole MacDonald* (Aber Valley Wolves), Calum Jones* (Rhondda Outlaws), Ethan Stebbings (Aber Valley Wolves)
* = were also part of the WRL National Development Academy at Coleg y Cymoedd in 2023
ENGLAND U18: Harry Sheridan (Rochdale Mayfield), Daniel Knott (Dalton), Oliver Smart (Siddal), Henry Ogden (Siddal), Harley Nelson (Kells), George Jamieson (Salford Roosters), Devan Sharp (Wath Brow Hornets), Dylan Grears (Kells), Scott Simmons (Pilkington Recs), Luke Sutcliffe (Blackbrook Royals), Keane Elms (Blackbrook Royals), Ben Metcalf (Rochdale Mayfield), Tom Farren (Roose Pioneers). Subs: Joshua Blinkhorn (Millom), Jack Lawler (West Hull), Malachi Price (Wigan St Judes), Lewis Davies (Pilkington Recs), Jacob Haigh (Siddal), Harry Barker (Waterhead Warriors), Miller Dalton (Hensingham).
Referee: Lewis O’Brien. Half-time 12-4
U18 FOUR NATIONS
ENGLAND COMMUNITY LIONS 32 WALES 16
Andy Morgan at Leigh Miners Rangers
Pictures: Ben Challis
