Ruskin Park hosted a historical first game between England Community Lions Under 19s and a Brazil open-age select side. This game came just a week after the Lions had been named Four Nations Champions.
The Brazil camp was hit with issues ahead of the contest, with several heritage players dropping out and a host of UK-based players being drafted in right up until the morning of the game. The visitors boasted some players with Super League, Championship, and League One club experience and posed a real test for the Lions.
Initially, the older side threatened to get away from their hosts when Kellen Wood was alert around the dummy half and surged over before adding the conversion to earn his team an early 0-6 advantage after five minutes.
Gradually the Lions came into the contest with the likes of Marcus Geener, Keane Elms and Luke Sutcliffe working hard defensively before Miller Dalton barrelled over from close range in the tenth minute and George Jameson goaled.
Harry Sheridan forced a drop out with a delicate chip behind the goal line that was well followed by his team-mates and the Lions built pressure before a scrum move after 23 minutes saw Sheridan put Jacob Rushworth in at the corner and Jameson goaled once more to open a 12-6 advantage. The hosts then lost Elmes with injury but maintained their concentration to lead at the break.
The second half started well for the visitors with Alex Davidson moving the ball and their pack getting stuck in; before the Lions gradually turned things in their favour again when Scott Simmons brought Dylan Grear back inside on an unstoppable line to score at the side of the posts and Jameson added his third goal to make it 18-6.
The Brazil team won the ball back from the kick-off and moved into range before Henry Davies steamed over. It proved too far wide for Wood to goal but at 18-10, the contest was still in the melting pot after 54 minutes.
Once again the Lions relished their defensive duties and held Brazil firm with eventual Man-of-the-Match Sheridan getting his side out of a couple of potential issues before three times having opportunities to add points, however, Rushworth couldn't take advantage and Fletcher Holgate and Sutcliffe were hauled down, and Daniel Knott was just denied after he sped into an opening. Vice-captain Devan Sharp and skipper Ollie Smart also enjoyed big games. Alfie Hough was sin-binned near the end for striking out, but the Lions kept their nerve.
Brazil, with Jorge Cabral unstinting, kept going until the end with the Lions' defence and greater communication seeing them come away with the victory. In addition to Cabral, Brazil were well served by Paul Chitakunye, Enrico Zagnoli, and Sam Bardsley.
Teams:
England Community Lions U19s: Harry Sheridan (Rochdale Mayfield), Jacob Rushforth (Siddal), Ollie Smart (Siddal), Henry Ogden (Siddal), Daniel Knott (Dalton), George Jameson (Salford City Roosters), Devan Sharp (Wath Brow Hornets), Dylan Grears (Kells), Scott Simmons (Orrell St James), Miller Dalton (Hensingham), Keane Elms (Blackbrook Royals), Marcus Geener (Saddleworth Rangers), Luke Sutcliffe (Blackbrook Royals). Subs: Harry Barker (Waterhead Warriors), Josh Blinkhorn (Millom), Lewis Davies (Pilkington Recs), Alfie Hough (Hindley), Fletcher Holgate (Hensingham), Malachi Price (Wigan St Judes), Josh Hopkins (Leigh East), Joe Lewis (Siddal).
Tries: Dalton (10), Rushforth (23), Grears (51).
Goals: Jameson 3/3.
Brazil
Owen Michael, Marawan Adam, Jorge Cabral, Ollie Cottrell, Murillo Teodoro, Guy Johnson, Sean Findlow; Guilherme Menezes, Kellen Wood, Nick Smith, Henry Davies, Callan Dewery, Enrico Zagnoti. Subs: Alex Pendlebury, Paul Chitakunye, Sam Bardsley, Jamie Hart, Dan Helme, Alex Davidson.
Tries: Wood (4), Davies (54)
Goals: Wood 1/2.
Referee: Kristian Silcock
Half-time: 12-6
Full-time: 18-10
By Dave Parkinson
Pics by Ben Challis
