Wales U16s defeat England Community Lions U16s to claim back-to-back Home Nations Championships

Wales U16s won the Home Nations Championship for the second consecutive year after a decisive 32-10 victory over England Community Lions U16s in Neath.

Overall it was a stuttering performance from the Lions who lost the services of Koby Hamer and Jack Baker to injury in the first twenty minutes and despite plenty of committed defensive work by the visitors, Wales eventually made their greater possession count late in the half to lead 12-0 at the break.

Chances were scares for the Lions in the opening half, while in comparison Wales had four tries disallowed, three for forward passes and one in touch following a superb cover tackle.

The Lions almost took the lead in the seventh minute. Archie Storr thought he’d grounded but the referee ruled it out for a double movement.

The home side got near to the line five minutes later, but Ralf Roberts saw the effort disallowed after a forward pass.

Isaac Holdworth later flicked the ball back to Jake Sheppard for him to ground, but the referee called it back for a knock-on.

With just over ten minutes remaining of the half, Jayden Tyson was harshly sinbinned after bringing down Roberts  and Wales had another score disallowed for a forward pass before they eventually took the lead in the 27th minute when Ellis Thomas finished well and Matthew Clatworthy nudged over the first of six goals.

At the other end the Lions forced an error but Bobby Dickinson's grubber kick rolled too far.

Outstanding Wales fullback Sam Dickinson then ran over fifty metres, rounding off the score under the posts and Clatworthy's goal gave Wales the 12-0 advantage at half-time.

At the start of the new half the Lions defended well to win the ball back and Ellis Holliday was desperately unlucky as he lost possession attempting to ground for a try.

England deservedly hit back after fifty minutes when Travis-Jack Morse scored at the corner and all action Mason Bowes goaled from the touchline. Wales responded quickly when fine passing right ended with Roberts scoring in the corner.

Clatworthy goaled and then added a penalty to move the Welsh 20-6 clear, but England again made things interesting when Travis-Jack Morse scored his second try and although the conversion from Bowes was wide, the gap was ten points.

Fittingly it was Dickinson who sealed the win with a weaving run past several defenders after taking the ball out on the right and cutting back inside. With seconds ticking down, the Lions attempted a kick over from a scrum, spotting space behind, but the ball instead fell into the arms of Evan Williams who sprinted away for the fifth try, allowing Clatworthy to complete his goal haul and the celebrations started for Wales.

Wales U16s:

Samuel Dickinson, Jac Jones, Harley Smith, Morgan Marozelli, Ralf Roberts; Evan Williams, Matthew Clatworthy; Isaac Holdsworth, Finlay Walker, Jake Sheppard, Will Mathers, Josh Harding, Harvey Williams. Subs (All Used): Oliver Rees, Cole Pelopida, Tyler Mills, Ellis Thomas, Charlie Thomas, Owain Martin, Harri Arthur.

England Community Lions:

Jayden Tyson, Travis-Jack Morse, Saul Campbell, Archie Storr, Ellis Holliday; Bobby Dickinson, Presten Burgess; Joseph Higgins Meadows, Declan Rigby, Kolby Harmer, Seb Jeffers, Mason Bowes, Reece Galvin. Subs (All Used): Dylan Morris, Jack Barker, Bradley McDonough, Alex Richardson, Noel Gardner Lewis, Junior Redmond, Josh Doran.

Half-time: 12-0

Full-time: 32-10

By Dave Parkinson

Photo Credit: Ben Challis