England Universities completed a second whitewash of the tournament as they overcame Scotland 68-0 in Round 3 of the Student Rugby League Four Nations.
Charlie Yeomans opened England’s account just 2 minutes into the game as he spun out of contact and grounded the ball on the line, with Fin Balback converting.
Scotland applied pressure as England failed to find touch from a penalty and compounded the error with a knock on in the next set.
They made amends as Jake Dickinson ducked under a swinging arm to ground in the left corner, with Balback unable to add the extras from the touchline.
Captain Leon Stewart energised the team, running the line of the tournament as he took Oli Winterbottom’s reverse pass to push England further ahead, with Balback further improving the score.
Jamie O’Keeffe scorched out of dummy-half, jinking his way through defenders who failed to land a glove from 20 metres out, with Balback adding the easy kick.
Dickinson powered away from inside his own half to complete his brace, with Balback again on target with the boot, giving England a 28-0 lead at the break.
Dan Perry kept the scoreboard moving after the break as he dived in on the right edge, although Balback couldn’t further improve.
Scotland came close with powerful runs from Ben Morris and Stephen Webber, but England’s defence held firm at the line each time.
Freddie Smith broke free, and shrugged off the cover tackle, to bag himself a great prop’s try. Balback was again on target.
Ben Bell-Thorn finished an England set play from a scrum, effortlessly grounding on the right hand side of the field, Balback again on target.
Bell-Thorn laid the platform in the next set, with a superb offload to Teddy Davidson, with Dan Perry’s hands finding Elliot Martin who grounded the ball. Balback converted to bring the score upto 50.
Hands to the right saw Ben Bell-Thorn finish in the corner for his second, with Balback adding another conversion to his name.
Leon Stewart added his second of the game with ten minutes to go, with Balback’s conversion from in front of the posts a formality.
Ben Bell-Thorn finished the match with a hat-trick, as Balback added the extras before the final whistle!
England:
Fin Balback, Ben Bell-Thorn, Dan Perry, Leon Stewart, Jake Dickinson, Oli Winterbottom, Charlie Yeomans, Harry Lowery, Will Lintin, Ben O’Donnell, Teddy Davidson, Isaac Coleman, Mackauley Stephenson.
Interchanges: Jamie O’Keeffe, Danny Salkeld, Freddie Smith, Elliot Martin. 18th – James Leach.
Tries: Charlie Yeomans (2), Jake Dickinson (18, 36), Leon Stewart (25, 70), Jamie O’Keeffe (32), Dan Perry (42), Freddie Smith (51), Ben Bell-Thorn (55, 68, 79), Elliot Martin (58)
Goals: Fin Balback 10/12
Scotland:
Hayden Cumming, Oli Inch, Stephen Webber, Jacob Holt, Mackenzie Cumming, Frazer Murray, Oli Redding, Ben Morris, Guy Chalstrey, Alex Woodhall, Dom Aston, George Kinnaird, George Murray.
Interchanges: Jordan Duncan, Tom Morris, Callum Caven, Ben Neave. 18th – Scott Shaw
Half Time: 28-0
Full Time: 68-0
Referee: Owen Taylor
