After the first test had finished 19-18, I was expecting this to be tight game but it was the exact opposite. England really ripped the French apart with some classy rugby I though.
It was the French who started better though with a try after just 4 minutes from Loose Forward Karim Madani but the conversion missed.
The French had a bigger looking pack on the eye but the English certainly put themselves about. Although we had one forward who had a shocking mullet haircut with a headband! Seriously I don't want to see anything like that on a rugby field again, either get it cut or go to your room!
After that opening gambit from the French it became a walk over for England. Jordan Harper, Josh Casey, George Williams, Greg Richards, Ryan Hampshire and Brad Day all claiming first half tries with the only response from France coming right on half time from Alan Torreilles. That left the score 34-8 to England at half time with Lewis Tierney kicking all but the first conversion.
The French did improve second half and England were a bit less expansive, perhaps because the strong wind was now against them. The first try of the half saw a brilliant out the back door pass from Hampshire send Jordan Baldwinson over.
France got another try back after captain Charles Bouzinac scored after charging down a kick. But although the try scoring wasn't as flowing from England second half they did claim three more before full time with Casey and Hampshire both claiming a second try whilst Alex Mellor scored the final effort six minutes from time.
England 58Tries: Jordan Harper, Josh Casey 2, George Williams, Greg Richards, Ryan Hampshire 2, Brad Day, Jordan Baldwinson, Alex Mellor
Goals: Lewis Tierney 8, George Williams 1
France 14Tries:Karim Madani, Alan Torreilles, Charles Bouzinac
Goals: Alan Torreilles 1
(Note: Match was played 35 mins each way as standard for Under 16s level).
Teams (as per team sheet given at game)
England:
1. Lewis Tierney (
Wigan/
Orrell St James)
2. Ben Parry (
St Helens/
Chorley Panthers)
3. Jordan Harper (
Leeds/
Normanton)
4. Harry Lightfoot Brown (
Harlequins/
Elmbridge Eagles)
5. Josh Casey (
Bradford/
Siddal)
6. Ryan Hampshire (
Wigan/
Normanton)
7. George Williams (
Wigan/
Ince Rose Bridge)
8. Greg Richards (
St Helens/
Chorley Panthers)
9. Ryan Maneely (
Warrington/
Saddleworth Rangers)
10. Mike Learmonth (
Leeds/
Hunslet Warriors)
11. Jordan Baldwinson(
Leeds/
Hunslet Warriors)
12. Alex Mellor (
Bradford/
Kings Cross Park)
13. Will Milner (
Warrington/
Kings Cross Park)
Subs
14. Liam Sutcliffe (
Leeds/
Hunslet Warriors)
15. Jack Anderson (
Hull FC/
Shaw Cross Sharks)
16. Brad Day (
Leeds/
Hunslet Warriors)
17. Zak Dewhurst (
Warrington/
Kings Cross Park)
France 1. Ernine Bouzada
2. Ugo Perez
3. Sylvian Galliard
4. Paul Villalba
5. Jalentin Chanet
6. Alan Torreilles
7. Theo Fages
8. Clement Boyer
9. Florian Bousquet
10. Matthieu Cadoret
11. Charles Bouzinac
12. Arthur Gonzalez
13. Karam Madini
Subs
14. Quentin Maury
15. Alexis Meresta
16. Loic Taurin
17. Hadrien Domergue