ENGLAND ACADEMY FALL TO 2-0 SERIES DEFEAT
Story By : Nathan Clarke
The England Academy fell to a 2-0 series defeat against the Australian Schoolboys at Wynnum-Manly earlier today after losing the second test 40-14.
After falling to a 41-10 defeat in the first test between the sides in Canberra last week, the England Academy couldn't find the ingredients required to overturn the series in what was a feisty encounter throughout.
It took just five minutes for the animosity between the sides to surface when a 26-man brawl broke out in centre field and both sides were to finish the half with just 12 men when Liam McAvoy was sent to the sidelines accompanied by his Australian counterpart. (Willis Meehan)
England looked to have gotten the better of the psychological battle when winger James Saltonstall got on the end of a deft chip from skipper John Bateman to cross in the corner and record the first points of the game.
However the Schoolboys responded on the 15 minute mark through forward Pauli Pauli, who dived over from just a few yards out to level the score before they took the lead through centre Clint Gutherson who barreled his way over from 10 yards out.
Australia then doubled their advantage through winger Goodsell who found himself in acres of space to collect a perfectly weighted kick from half-back Moses.
A hammer blow was struck just before the hooter when loose forward Chad McGill crashed through the defence after receiving an inside ball to give the home side a 24-6 half-time advantage.
The second half saw the Australian's continue to dominate and on the ten minute mark Goodsell scored his second of the game, capitalizing on some loose defending after a period of scrappy play from both sides.
England's Saltonstall looked to have scored his second of the game only for the referee to pull the play back for a forward pass and just two minutes later England found themselves further behind when Dylan Walker was put through with clear field in front of him.
Academy centre Luke Briscoe brought England back into contention when he scored the first of two tries on the 28 minute mark following some unconventional play from stand-off Williams to put the Leeds Rhinos player through.
Both sides where then reduced to 12 men for the second time in the contest, when England's James Cunningham and Australia's Brad Deitz were sent from the field.
Moments later Australia's full-back Alex Johnson scored an 80 meter solo effort after he collected a high bomb from Liam Sutcliffe and found only open field ahead to exploit.
It was England who had the last say in the game when Briscoe gathered a chip through from Williams to fight his way over the line but it's was scant consolation when the final hooter went with the scores set at 40-14.
England Academy Squad v Australian Schoolboys (Professional and community clubs in brackets)
1, Greg Wilde (St Helens, Golbourne Parkside)
2, James Saltonstall (Warrington Wolves, Siddal)
3, Luke Briscoe (Leeds Rhinos, Featherstone Lions)
4, Mark Percival (St Helens, Halton Hornets)
5, James Duckworth (Leeds Rhinos, Whinmoor Warriros)
6, Liam Sutcliffe (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Warriors)
7, George Williams (Wigan Warriors, Ince Rose Bridge)
8, Gavin Bennion (Warrington Wolves, Ryland Sharks)
9, James Cunningham (Hull FC, East Hull)
10, John Bateman C (Bradford Bulls, Dudley Hill)
11, Jordan Baldwinson (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Warriors)
12, Connor Farrell (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
13, Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves, Parkside Golbourn)
14, Dominic Speakman (St Helens, Halton Hornets)
15, Luke Thompson (St Helens, Pilkington Recs)
16, Josh Johnson (Huddersfield Giants, Saddleworth)
17, Liam McAvoy (Bradford Bulls, Broughton Red Rose)
Australian Schoolboys Squad
1, Alex Johnston (Endeavour Sports High School / South Sydney Rabbitohs)
2, Jack Goodsell (Keebra Park State High School)
3, Clint Gutherson (Freshwater High School / Manly Sea Eagles)
4, Paul Simona (Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown / Wests Tigers)
5, Willis Meehan
6, Mitchell Moses (Holy Cross College, Ryde / Wests Tigers)
7, Luke Brooks (Holy Cross College, Ryde / Wests Tigers)
8, Matthew Lodge (Terra Sancta College, Quakers Hill / Penrith Panthers)
9, Brad Deitz (Holy Cross College, Ryde / Wests Tigers)
10, Jeremy Cropper (St Francis Xavier College / Canberra Raiders)
11, Kelepi Tanginoa (Westfield Sports High School / Parramatta Eels)
12, Adam Elliot C (St Gregory's College, Campbelltown / Canterbury Bulldogs)
13, Chad McGill (Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown / Parramatta Eels)
14, Dylan Walker (Matraville Sports High School / South Sydney Rabbitohs)
15, Chris Smith (Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown / Penrith Panthers)
16, Jai Arrow (Keebra Park State High School)
17, Pauli Pauli (Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown / Parramatta Eels)
http://www.ourfootyteam.com/assrl.php
