|
ENGLAND kept up their unbeaten run in the Student Rugby League World Cup to
book a place in next week's final stages of the competition being held in
Australia.
The score line slightly flattered the Islanders as England played with one
eye firmly on the next stage.
But the sunshine men from the Pacific did pull back from 22-6 down at one
stage and that kept up the excitement factor right to the end.
There was a somber start to the game, being played at Brisbane's Griffith
University Nathan complex, when a minute's silence was held to remember the
victims of the bombings in London.
England did not have all their big guns in the starting line-up but even so
it only took Scott Houston 10 minutes to power his way over the Islanders?
line for the opening try.
John Nicholls added the conversion and it took just six minutes more before
Alex Benson forced his way in for an unconverted try to put England 10-0 up.
The England side was playing in fits and starts, sometimes showing nice
touches, and at other times forcing the ball and losing possession without
any logical reason.
On a hot afternoon the initial conditions appeared to favour the Pacific
Islanders but as the proceedings continued and the skies clouded conditions
appeared to swing the other way a little.
England coped well with the robust approach of the Islanders and produced
some fine touches of their own.
One came in the 23rd minute when Kevin Till made one of his scoots before
finding full-back Alex Clemie in support to score. Nicholls again landed the
conversion to put England 16-0 in the lead.
Undeterred the Islanders pressed on and with 28 minutes gone their man of
the match Josh Stowers found a way through the English defence for a try
which Sione Fukofuka converted.
Then as half-time loomed Clemie and Till produced another piece of magic.
Clemie roared some 40m out of defence and when he was halted it was Till?s
turn to be in support and he went about as far again to touch down.
On from the bench Martin Ainscough added the conversion and England turned
round with a 22-6 lead.
Within three minutes of the restart England were on the march again. Centre
Ben Cramant hit the gas and then instead of trying to score himself, shipped
the ball out to Tom Tsang who cantered in at the corner with Ainscough
converting.
Roman Filipine showed the Islanders were far from finished when his try,
converted by the reliable boot of Sione Fukofuka, took the score to 28-12.In England?s next raid Benson was help up over the line before the Islanders
|
were penalised allowing Ainscough to add a couple of more points to the
England tally.
The impressive Stowers then drove England back with the first 40/20 in the
group and this kept the Islanders on the move.
And when Cramant heisted over a kick Bruno Schwartz reacted the quickest and
scooped up the ball to touch down for an unconverted try
Two more unconverted touchdowns in the last four minutes gave the scoreline
a slightly closer look than perhaps it warranted, but try telling that to
Sam Vauvalaau and hooker Luke Srama.
Matchfacts:
England
5 Alex Clemie
7 Simon Edwards
11 Matt Mullholland
6 Ben Cramant
3 Tom Tsang
12 John Nicholls
18 Kevin Till
1 Andrew Ali
9 Richard Hulme
2 Alex Benson
16 Al Robinson
8 Scott Houston
20 Andy Walker
Subs (all used)
19 Chris Todd
15 Ryan Robinson
21 Martin Ainscough
13 David Norcross
14 Wayne Parillon
10 Stu Mc Reynolds
Tries:Houston (10); Benson (16); Clemie (23); Till (39); Tsang (43).
Goals: Nicholls 2, Ainscough 3
Pacific Islands:
20 Junior Alesana
2 Bruno Schwarz
3 John Reece
4 Sam Vauvalaau
5 Phillip Breslin
6 Sione Fukofuka
7 Josh Stowers
8 David Tronc
9 Luke Srama
10 Peter Pulou
15 Ramon Filipine
12 Liu Faamate
13 Kelli Fukofuka
Subs (all used)
14 Helmy Salvanavong
16 Reggie Peranara
18 Bobby Makau
19 Nic Williams
Men of the Match:
England: Alex Benson - the powerhouse forward just kept on working on both
attack and defence, keeping a cool head on a very warm day.
Pacific Islanders - Josh Stowers. Gave the Islanders their main impetus on a
day when determination was needed and never quit the battle.
Gamebreaker:
Till's 39th minute link-up with Clemie to produce a try which seemed to be
one try too many for the Islanders to pull back.
Referee: Raima Koti (New Zealand).
Scoring sequence: 6-0; 10-0; 16-0; 16-6; 22-6; 28-6; 28-12; 30-12; 30-16;
30-20;30-24.
Article by Chris Leak
9 Jul 2005
| 
News