Wales, England and France u18 tour to SA for a four way tournament...!

WALES U18 READY FOR ENGLAND
12 August 2013 11:22amBy Alex Bywater

Angus O'Brien produced an impressive kicking display in the convincing win over France vsWales Under 18 will go into Tuesday's clash with England in confident mood after a crushing opening win over France.

Injuries aren't ideal but we have confidence in all of our squad and it gives others a chance to impress
Allan Lewis' side ran in five tries to record a convincing 47-8 victory last Friday, wing Ashton Hewitt crossing for a brace of tries with fly half Angus O'Brien booting five conversions and four penalties in a faultless kicking display.

The win over France at City Park Stadium, Athlone, was the perfect start to the three match tour of South Africa but with a short turnaround, Wales now face a second game just a couple of days later.

"The win on Friday was a great result against a strong French side," said Wales team manager Phil John.

"It's pleasing to score a few tries but there are always areas to improve on and that's certainly the case going into the game with England."

While Friday's result saw Wales produce a good performance, they've been forced into a couple of changes for the England game.

Lock Rory Thornton and centre Tyler Morgan were both forced off against France with an ankle problem and a bang to the head respectively.

But while Thornton will undergo a late fitness test before the meeting with England, Morgan is definitely out. If Thornton is not passed fit tomorrow morning, Adam Beard will take his place in the second row.

Elsewhere, Garyn Smith takes Morgan's place at inside centre with Torin Myhill coming in at hooker. Josh Helps again leads the side.

Of the replacements named, only eight are available for Lewis to use.

"Injuries aren't ideal but we have confidence in all of our squad and it gives others a chance to impress," said John.

"We're hoping for a repeat performance from the French game."

Wales started with a bang last Friday and were 19-3 up at half time. After France had taken the lead with an early penalty, two kicks from O'Brien and a score from scrum half Tom Williams put Wales in control.

O'Brien converted and added two further penalties for a comfortable interval lead.

Wales, who gave three players their first international caps, used all eight available replacements in the second half but it failed to stop the scoring spree.

Centre Aled Summerhill went over and although France responded with a try of their own, Hewitt's double ended the game as a contest. Replacement Jordan Collier crossed for the final try with O'Brien kicking the rest of the points.

After a convincing opening win, Wales will now be looking to make it two from two against an England side who were narrowly edged out 19-14 by South Africa.

But after England were the winners when the two sides met in Swansea earlier this year, Wales will know they will have to be at their best to get a result.

Wales Under 18 to play England, Outeniqua Park, George. Kick-off 16.00 local time:

15 Steffan Evans (Scarlets) 14 Ashton Hewitt (Newport Gwent Dragons) 13 Aled Summerhill (Cardiff Blues) 12 Garyn Smith (Cardiff Blues) 11 Josh Adams (Scarlets) 10 Angus O'Brien (Newport Gwent Dragons) 9 Tom Williams (Cardiff Blues), 1 Keagan Bale(Newport Gwent Dragons) 2 Torin Myhill (Scarlets) 3 Alex Jeffreys (Newport Gwent Dragons) 4 Josh Helps (Scarlets & Captain) 5 Rory Thornton (Ospreys) 6 Tom Phillips (Scarlets) 7 Oliver Griffiths (Newport Gwent Dragons) 8 Jordan Collier (Ospreys).

Replacements from: Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Leon Crump (Cardiff Blues), Javan Sebastian (Scarlets), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Jon Fox (Ospreys), Dan Brooks (Ospreys), Luke Price (Ospreys), Joe Thomas (Ospreys), Oliver Hitchings (Cardiff Blues), Dan Jones (Scarlets), Luke Garrett (Newport Gwent Dragons).

England u18′s Edged Out By South Africa International Rugby Schools



England U18′s fell to a tough 19-14 loss against a physical South Africa Schools side in Cape Town. Captain James Chisholm scored two tries but it wasn’t quite enough against the Baby Boks.

With five on the clock fly half Sam Olver sent a penalty towards the posts but it fell short and was knocked on by a South African defender. From the resulting scrum Chisholm peeled off the back and touched down and Olver added the extras.

South Africa hit back straightaway though and reduced the deficit to four points with a well-taken penalty just wide of England’s posts by Grant Hermanus. With the hosts on the front foot they made the possession count with a try that came after a spell off sustained pressure from captain Rikus Bothma who is making quite a name for himself in South Africa to make it 8-7.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF ENGLAND u18s v SOUTH AFRICA SCHOOLS >>


England almost regained the lead on the stroke of half time when a well-executed cross-field kick from Olver was gathered by Tom Howe, but the London Wasps wing was held up on the line.

The hosts started the second half brightly and had their second try ten minutes after the restart when wing Duhan Van Der Merwe powered through to touch down. The conversion was missed to leave England six points behind at 13-7.

England full back Howard Packman then picked the ball up deep in his own half and embarked on a mazy length-of-the-field run before being stopped illegally. South Africa were reduced to 14-men and from the resulting scrum Chisholm picked up from the base and touched down to put England 14-13 up after Olver’s conversion.

But two late penalties from South Africa’s Brandon Thompson made it 19-13 and despite a late onslaught from England, they couldn’t make the breakthrough.

Head Coach John Fletcher said: “We’re obviously disappointed with the loss but to be honest we didn’t start as well as we could have done in the first half. Perhaps that was to be expected as these guys are just coming off the back of pre-season and haven’t played for a while.

“We had one held up on the line just before half time, and if we had got that one down I think we would have gone on to win the game, but it wasn’t to be. We came back into it in the second half and it could have gone either way, but credit to South Africa – they were physical and took their chances.”

Points: Chisholm 2T; Olver 2C

England Under 18s starting XV against South Africa

15 Howard Packman (Moulton College & Northampton Saints)
14 Tom Howe (Shiplake College & London Wasps)
13 Nick Carpenter (Filton College & Bristol Rugby)
12 Max Clark (Bryanston & Bath Rugby)
11 Nathan Earle (Oaklands & Saracens)
10 Sam Olver (Oundle School & Northampton Saints)
9 Stuart Townsend (Ivybridge Community College & Exeter Chiefs)
1 Alex Lundberg (Hampton School & London Wasps)
2 Cameron Neild (Manchester Grammar & Sale Sharks)
3 Paul Hill (Prince Henry’s Grammar & Leeds Carnegie)
4 Tom Ellis (Millfield & Bath Rugby)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bryanston & Bath Rugby)
6 Hayden Stringer (Oaklands & Saracens)
7 Lewis Ludlow (Hartpury College & Gloucester Rugby)
8 James Chisholm (Brighton College & Harlequins, captain)

Replacements:

16 Jack Walker (Prince Henry’s & Leeds Carnegie) on for Cameron Neild 50 mins
17 Luke Chapman (Truro College & Exeter Chiefs)
18 Ciaran Parker (St Ambrose & Sale Sharks)
19 Josh Peters (Oundle School & Northampton Saints)
20 Ellis Genge (Hartpury College & Bristol Rugby) on for Alex Lundberg 50 mins
21 James Mitchell (Lymm School & Sale Sharks) on for Stuart Townsend 66 mins
22 Will Owen (QE Leicester & Leicester Tigers) on for Lewis Ludlow 57 mins
23 Josh Sharp (Oaklands College & Saracens) on for Sam Olver 63 mins
24 Rory Jennings (Bryanston School & Bath Rugby)
25 Josh Skelcey (Moulton College & Northampton Saints) on for Howard Packman 61 mins
26 Tom Fowlie (St Pauls Catholic College & London Irish) on for Tom Howe 57 mins

http://www.inattheside.com/video-highlights-of-england-u18s-loss-to-south-africa-schools/

Sounds like a good idea for a competition. These 4 teams plus the ABs would struggle to get meaningful matches against the likes if Scotland and Italy. Hats off to SARU, though. They know how to host new competitions following the four way tourney with SA, Scotland, Samoa and Italy in June

I completely agree. It's very exciting and a hell of an experience for under 18s.

Jeez, and to think that my U18 tour consisted of trying to drink until your eyes bled or you needed dialysis while having a daily calorie intake similar to that of a small village

Times have changed.

The same teams competed in SA last year at this age level.

England lost to France & SA but beat Wales but all the games were close.
Fantastic experience for all involved for sure

wales beat france 47-8 in their first game!

Not a bad result at all..!

ENGLAND U18s 17-15 WALES U18s


A last-gasp try from prop Alex Lundberg and a pressure conversion from fly half Sam Olver gave England Under 18s a 17-15 win against Wales at Outeniqua Park in George.

England had trailed 15-10 with time up before Lundberg spotted a gap and crashed through.

Head Coach John Fletcher’s side started the brighter of the two sides and were ahead with less than a minute on the clock when the ball fell to scrum half James Mitchell who made no mistake touching down in the corner.

Wales saw two kickable penalties sail wide of the posts as both sides cancelled each other out. A quick burst from wing Nathan Earle gave England good field position with 30 played but Wales cleared their lines as the half drew to a close.

The Welsh started the second half as England started the first – scoring a try within 60 seconds. A smart break infield from the Welsh fly half eventually freed up wing Ashton Hewitt, who out-paced the English defence to go over the line.

Wales extended their lead with 50 played when inside centre Garyn Smith went over to make it 12-5. England fly half Josh Sharp then saw two penalties sail wide before England’s young guns eventually turned possession into points when wing Josh Skelcey dived over, but replacement No. 10 Olver’s conversion fell just short.

With just two points between the sides at 12-10 Wales forced a penalty to make it 15-10 with under minute to go before Lundberg’s (pictured) try and Olver’s conversion gave England the win.

Fletcher said: “It was a high pressure kick for Sam but I’m not surprised that he knocked it over – he has a fantastic attitude and I had every faith in him. I don’t want to sensationalise him but he certainly has the attitude and the character of some of the best fly half’s that I’ve worked with. He’s done a lot of work with kicking coach Jon Callard – as has Josh Sharp – and I thought we kicked intelligently today, which is a credit to the lads, and to JC.

“We always knew that this was going to be a tough game, the conditions probably didn’t help – it was pretty wet. But saying that, I was pleased with the way the forwards played, the backs didn’t get going as much as we would have liked, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Focus is now on our final game against France and we want to end the tour on a real high.”

Olver added: “I could see my heart pumping through my chest as I was about to take the kick! I knew after we scored the try that it was 15-15 and that the pressure was on. But I just focused on my routine and I was delighted to see it fly between the sticks. It’s why you put the hours in on the training ground, and although you can’t replicate the pressure, you can replicate your process, and like I say – I was just over the moon that it went over and that we got the win.”

Wales coach Allan Lewis said:” The boys played exceptionally well.

“When you consider that when we last played England they scored seven tries against us, today shows the improvement we’ve made.

“England scored two tries against us today, in the first and last minute, but we were superb defensively and every player wore their shirt with a huge amount of pride.

“I can’t criticise them at all. This tour is a wonderful developmental opportunity for the boys and they’ll learn a huge amount from it.”

Points: Mitchell 1T, Skelcey 1T, Lundberg 1T; Olver 1C

England Under 18s side against Wales

1 Luke Chapman (Truro College & Exeter Chiefs)
2 Jack Walker (Prince Henry’s & Leeds Carnegie)
3 Paul Hill (Prince Henry’s Grammar & Leeds Carnegie)
4 Josh Peters (Oundle School & Northampton Saints)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bryanston & Bath Rugby)
6 Hayden Stringer (Oaklands & Saracens)
7 Will Owen (QE Leicester & Leicester Tigers)
8 James Chisholm (Brighton College & Harlequins) (C)
9 James Mitchell (Lymm School & Sale Sharks)
10 Josh Sharp (Oaklands College & Saracens)
11 Tom Fowlie (St Pauls Catholic College & London Irish)
12 Rory Jennings (Bryanston School & Bath Rugby)
13 Max Clark (Bryanston & Bath Rugby)
14 Josh Skelcey (Moulton College & Northampton Saints)
15 Nathan Earle (Oaklands & Saracens)

Replacements:

16 Cameron Neild (Manchester Grammar & Sale Sharks) on for Jack Walker 56 mins
17 Alex Lundberg (Hampton School & London Wasps) on for Luke Chapman 44 mins
18 Ciaran Parker (St Ambrose & Sale Sharks) on for Paul Hill 64 mins
19 Tom Ellis (Millfield & Bath Rugby) on for Josh Peters 44 mins
20 Lewis Ludlow (Hartpury College & Gloucester Rugby) on for Hayden Stringer 53 mins
21 Ellis Genge (Hartpury College & Bristol Rugby)
23 Sam Olver (Oundle School & Northampton Saints) on for Josh Sharp 56 mins
24 Nick Carpenter (Filton College & Bristol Rugby) on for Tom Fowlie 35 mins

Wales u18′s

15 Steffan Evans (Scarlets) 14 Ashton Hewitt (Newport Gwent Dragons) 13 Aled Summerhill (Cardiff Blues) 12 Garyn Smith (Cardiff Blues) 11 Josh Adams (Scarlets) 10 Angus O’Brien (Newport Gwent Dragons) 9 Tom Williams (Cardiff Blues), 1 Keagan Bale(Newport Gwent Dragons) 2 Torin Myhill (Scarlets) 3 Alex Jeffreys (Newport Gwent Dragons) 4 Josh Helps (Scarlets & Captain) 5 Rory Thornton (Ospreys) 6 Tom Phillips (Scarlets) 7 Oliver Griffiths (Newport Gwent Dragons) 8 Jordan Collier (Ospreys).

Replacements from: Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Leon Crump (Cardiff Blues), Javan Sebastian (Scarlets), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Jon Fox (Ospreys), Dan Brooks (Ospreys), Luke Price (Ospreys), Joe Thomas (Ospreys), Oliver Hitchings (Cardiff Blues), Dan Jones (Scarlets), Luke Garrett (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Second year of this tournament and the games were close last year, as already mentioned. SA finished the tournament unbeaten that time. This is a great tour for the young guys to develop, I just wish Wales started doing it a lot sooner. Thankfully it seems we have some more good players to feed the U20s for the next few years.

Anyone seen the result, match details for Wales U 18s final game?

What about the SA vs France game?

The Saint wrote:What about the SA vs France game?

SA won 17-13

Friday, August 9, 2013 to Saturday, August 17, 2013
Sport: Rugby
Divisions: U18
Season: 2013

Date Time Team A Score Team B Venue
Round 1
9 Aug 12:00 France 29 - 17 Wales City Park Stadium, Cape Town
9 Aug 14:00 South Africa 19 - 14 England City Park Stadium, Cape Town
9 Aug 15:30 Italy 17 - 39 WP Schools City Park Stadium, Cape Town
Round 2
13 Aug 14:00 England 17 - 15 Wales Outeniqua Park, George
13 Aug 16:00 South Africa 17 - 13 France Outeniqua Park, George
13 Aug 18:00 Italy 3 - 55 SWD Schools Outeniqua Park, George
Round 3
17 Aug 12:30 England - France Boland Stadium, Wellington
17 Aug 14:00 South Africa - Wales Boland Stadium, Wellington
17 Aug 15:30 Italy - Boland Schools Boland Stadium, Wellington
- See more at: http://www.hssm.co.za/tournaments/2013/sa-schools-2013-rugby-series#sthash.ZujlcZeP.dpuf

Overall the games have all been close affairs. Just wish they televised it.

Scrumdown wrote:wales beat france 47-8 in their first game!

What game was this? It's difficult to find the results of these fixtures!

Cyril wrote:

Scrumdown wrote:wales beat france 47-8 in their first game!

What game was this? It's difficult to find the results of these fixtures!

The opening game.
http://supporters.wru.co.uk/eng/news/27826.php#.Ug3ngB9wbIU


Here is highlights of the Wales vs England game. Wales have some good backs by the look of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx9MH5nd1Jc

If you're looking for the results/highlights of the England fixtures then look at the RFU's official site. They seem to be the only ones regularly updating.

 

The Saint wrote:

Cyril wrote:

Scrumdown wrote:wales beat france 47-8 in their first game!

What game was this? It's difficult to find the results of these fixtures!

The opening game.
http://supporters.wru.co.uk/eng/news/27826.php#.Ug3ngB9wbIU


Here is highlights of the Wales vs England game. Wales have some good backs by the look of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx9MH5nd1Jc

If you're looking for the results/highlights of the England fixtures then look at the RFU's official site. They seem to be the only ones regularly updating.

Cheers I was hoping to find it all in one place but these age-group rugby fixtures don't seem to get collected anywhere.

This result doesn't seem the same as the one in BigTrev's post (above)

Yes I was wondering about that myself. Maybe we can assume the SA site is wrong, as they don't have a Welsh player in the top scorers list; Ashton Hewitt would be one of the top try scorers with 3, and our fly-half Angus McDonald should be top points scorer. Also if you scroll towards the foot of the page where you will see a tally for the teams/points scored, Wales aren't in the table.  

I don't think that site is too reliable then

You can get the results on the http://www.sarugby.net/ page.

Just click on RESULTS tab on the right hand side, it does feature all results, so you just have to move down the list and go to more results to get the previous week results.

Can't find anything on the recent fixture, but it seems we also beat them in Feb: http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/25052.php. The following week we lost to England something like 47-7(not sure if the teams were different or not), so the recent game was a considerable improvement. According the reports we have a group of big, strong forwards again; which hopefully means another strong U20s crop. The academies and development tours are working .

EDIT; Bitong's source is showing 47-8 to Wales.

Cyril wrote:

Scrumdown wrote:wales beat france 47-8 in their first game!

What game was this? It's difficult to find the results of these fixtures!

FFR website indicates that Wales won 29-17 against France!

whocares wrote:

Scrumdown wrote:wales beat france 47-8 in their first game!

FFR website indicates that Wales won 29-17 against France!

WRU Website says 47-8

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/27826.php#.Ug8dZOBTN_8

Wales Under 18 head coach Allan Lewis has introduced some new faces to his side for the clash with South Africa on Saturday. South Africa have been impressive so far and they will certainly provide a tough test.

The game represents the final challenge for the young Welshmen after a convincing win over France and a last minute loss to England in their first two games of the tour.

For the meeting with South Africa, Luke Price comes in at fly half in place of Angus O'Brien while Torin Myhill (ankle) and Tom Phillips (shoulder) are unavailable due to injury.

Ryan Elias starts at hooker with Javan Sebastian joining him in the front row, replacing Alex Jeffreys at prop.

There is a reshuffle in the back row with Jordan Collier at openside, Ospreys man Jon Fox stepping up from the bench to start at blindside with Oliver Hitchings completing the back row from No. 8.

Josh Helps leads the side for the third successive game.

In the backs, Ashton Hewitt will be looking to continue his impressive try scoring form with Steff Evans and Josh Adams completing the back three.

Garyn Smith continues at inside centre despite the return from injury of Tyler Morgan with Aled Sumerhill outside him.

Tuesday's game with England saw Wales produce some top-class rugby, superb individual scores from Hewitt and Smith putting them 15-10 up with just seconds remaining.

But after the full time hooter had sounded, a late converted try saw Wales end the game on the wrong side of the result.

"The England result was disappointing but what was more important was the way we played," said Wales team manager Phil John.

"We were excellent throughout the game, both in defence and in attack and I know Allan was pleased with the performances of all the boys.

"Javan Sebastian gets a chance at tighthead against South Africa with Luke Price coming in at 10.

"We're really looking forward to the game and hoping to end the tour with a victory."

On home turf, South Africa have already secured wins over both England and France and will be full of confidence ahead of a clash with Wales.

"South Africa have been impressive so far and they will certainly provide a tough test," said John.

"We're expecting a physical contest but if we defend like we did against England then we are more than capable of getting the right result."

Wales Under 18 vs. South Africa (KO 3.30pm local time):

15 Steffan Evans (Scarlets) 14 Ashton Hewitt (Newport Gwent Dragons) 13 Aled Summerhill (Cardiff Blues) 12 Garyn Smith (Cardiff Blues) 11 Josh Adams (Scarlets) 10 Luke Price (Ospreys) 9 Tom Williams (Cardiff Blues), 1 Keagan Bale(Newport Gwent Dragons)2 Ryan Elias (Scarlets) 3 Javan Sebastian (Scarlets) 4 Josh Helps (Scarlets & Captain) 5 Rory Thornton (Ospreys) 6 Jon Fox (Ospreys) 7 Jordan Collier (Ospreys) 8 Oliver Hitchings (Cardiff Blues).
Replacements from: Alex Jeffreys (Newport Gwent Dragons), Leon Crump (Cardiff Blues), Luke Garrett (Newport Gwent Dragons), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Oliver Griffiths (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Brooks (Ospreys), Angus O'Brien (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Jones (Scarlets), Joe Thomas (Ospreys), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons).

good luck Welsh lambs .prob wrong name to give them good luck babydragons . better  

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:good luck  Welsh lambs .prob wrong name to give them    good luck babydragons . better  

Their official name is the Little Leeks.

SA Schools coach Chris October has reshuffled his team for their final International Under-18 Series clash against Wales at Drostdy Tegniese Hoërskool in Worcester on Saturday as they look to complete the series unbeaten.

The coach made 10 personnel changes to the starting team that edged out France in George on Tuesday for a 17-13 victory, with several players who starred in their opening clash against England returning to the run-on team.

This included talented flyhalf Brandon Thomson and the powerful front row of Ox Nche, Ruan Kramer and Joseph Dweba. The Du Preez brothers, Daniel and Jean-Luc will also feature in the starting team at flank and lock respectively.

Scrumhalf Marco van Vuren, meanwhile, earns his first start in the series as Justin Phillips and Remu Malan started the previous matches.

The other 13 players in the squad have all been named on the bench, with the coach opting to wait until the game plays out to decide who to call on to make an impact.

Commenting on the changes to the team October said: “This is the best team we could put on the field against the physical and structured Welsh outfit. They offer something different to France and England, so it was a case of horses for courses. But just as the starting team has a role to play, so do the replacements; we are expecting them to make a big impact when they take to the field.”

With the commanding Welsh pack serving as one of their main attacking weapons, the SA Schools forwards, in particular, will have their work cut out if they plan to keep alive hopes of emulating their predecessors’ success with clean-sweep of victories.

The desire to complete the series on a high note aside, the Welsh will still be hurting from their last-minute 17-15 defeat against England on Tuesday, which will fuel their determination to stamp their authority.

Zoning in on the match October admitted that his team had to produce a much more effective performance in the lineouts and scrums especially, following their disappointing showing in those departments against France.

“We have worked hard to rectify our set pieces after last week’s performance and we have faith that the players will stand their ground up front,” said October. “With the Welsh pack being one of their main threats the players realise that they have to match the visitors physically, but we would also like to produce a better performance on attack and defence. This team has immense potential and hopefully they will be able to showcase that and finish the series on a high.”

The SA Schools clash will begin at 15h30, and in the earlier matches Italy meet the Boland Craven Week team at 12h30 and England take on France at 14h00.

Image credit: Brakkies Sport Fotos

SA Schools team vs Wales:

15. Grant Hermanus – Paarl Gymnasium

14. Leolin Zass – Hermanus HS

13. Warrick Gelant – Outeniqua HS

12. Daniel du Plessis – Paul Roos Gymnasium

11. Duhan van der Merwe – Outeniqua HS

10. Brandon Thomson – Ermelo HS

9. Marco van Vuren – Transvalia

8. Rikus Bothma – Paarl Gymnasium (capt)

7. Daniel Du Preez – Kearsney College

6. Jacques Vermeulen – Paarl Gymnasium

5. RG Snyman – Afrikaans Hoër Seuns (Affies)

4. Jean Luc Du Preez – Kearsney College

3. Ruan Kramer – Grey College

2. Joseph Dweba – Florida HS

1. Ox Nche – Louis Botha THS

Replacements:



EW Viljoen – Grey College

Jurie Linde – Afrikaans Hoër Seuns (Affies)

Dewald Human – Outeniqua HS

Remu Malan – Outeniqua HS

Remuoe Rampeta – Louis Botha HTS

Abongile Nonkontwana – St Albans

Conraad van Vuuren – Nelspruit HS

Francois Steyn – Afrikaans Hoër Seuns (Affies)

Thomas du Toit – Paarl Boys High

Thabana Ntsi – Selborne College

Justin Phillips – Waterkloof HS

Malcolm Jaer – Brandwag HS

PJ Toerien – Garsfontein HS

Biltong wrote:Overall the games have all been close affairs. Just wish they televised it.

http://www.inattheside.com/video-england-u18s-v-wales-u18s-highlights/

http://m.news24.com/sport24/Rugby/SA-Schools-edge-Wales-20130817

Cheers max

The SA Schools team on Saturday showed nerves of steel to hold onto a narrow 14-13 lead against Wales in their final clash in the International Under-18 Series at Drostdy Tegniese Hoërskool in Worcester to complete the series unbeaten.

Strong winds complicated matters for both teams from the outset and forced them to eliminate kicking from their game. This in turn resulted in most of the rugby being played in the middle of the field in the first half, with the teams sticking to a tight game with close passing.

Fortunately for the hosts all the hard work this week to improve their set pieces worked as they withstood the pressure exerted by the powerful Welsh pack, while their defence again proved to be the highlight of their performance.

Welsh flyhalf Luke Price opened the scoring for the visitors 14 minutes into the match thanks to a scrum penalty following a few tight exchanges.

This narrow 3-0 lead gave them a mental edge as they showed more innovation on attack and stretched the home team’s defence. SA, however, built on the tenacious defensive effort from their clash against France and as they shut out Wales twice.

The tables turned on attack soon after as SA hit back with Jean-Luc Du Preez scoring a fantastic team try, which flyhalf Brandon Thomson converted for a 7-3 lead. The forwards were instrumental in the try as they applied pressure up-front and spread the ball wide to Du Preez, who was open on the wing.

But their lead was short-lived as Wales right wing Ashton Hewitt out-sprinted two defenders to dot down the ball over the tryline from a perfect grubber kick which forced them back into a one-point lead.

The home team continued to stamp their authority as the half neared a close as they camped in Wales’ 22 with the forwards building phases in an attempt to bash their way over the advantage line. The pressure eventually got to Wales, who committed numbers to breakdown but neglected the wing, which paved the way for Leolin Zass to cross the tryline. Thomson converted, which earned SA an encouraging 14-8 lead at the break.

SA’s forwards continued to lay a solid platform up-front, which allowed them to spend a fair amount of time in Wales’ half.

Wales, however, earned the rewards for using their forwards to edge their way over the advantage line, with Hewitt scoring his second try of the day after finding space on the right side of the field following a strong showing by the pack. But they again failed to convert, leaving the team one point behind on 14-13 with the clock ticking.

Wales managed to win a turnover in SA’s 22 in the dying seconds and tried hard to breach the defence to snatch a last-minute victory. But their efforts proved fruitless as SA held them out for the victory.

In the earlier matches England defeated France 12-8 and the Italian Under-18 team registered a convincing 36-12 victory against the Boland XV.

Scorers:

SA Schools

Tries: Jean-Luc du Preez, Leolin Zass
Conversions: Brandon Thomson (2)

Wales

Tries: Ashton Hewitt (2)
Penalty: Luke Price

So thats 6 mostly tight games with SA unbeaten -England 2 out of 3, Wales 1 out of 3 and France without a win

England Under 18s rounded off their three-match tour to South Africa with a hard-fought 12-8 win against cross-channel rivals France at Boland Rugby Stadium in Worcester.

In windy conditions, tries from London Wasps wing Tom Howe and Sale Sharks scrum half James Mitchell helped England to the victory, while Northampton Saints No. 10 Sam Olver added two points with the boot.

After a cagey opening quarter England got the breakthrough when Howe spotted a gap in the French defence and raced in to score. Olver added the extras to make it 7-0.

With 30 on the clock France got onto the scoreboard with a penalty in front of the posts to make it 7-3, which is how it stayed until the break.

France then scored the opening try of the second period through their replacement hooker who powered his way over the line. But England hit back quickly when Mitchell spotted a gap after a strong scrum and sniped through to score.

Both sides created good opportunities as the game drew to a close but England held out for the second win of their tour.

Forwards coach Ian Peel said: “We’re really pleased to get the win – the conditions weren’t the best, it was blowing a gale out there, but we were committed and did well, particularly in the first half.

“I’m really chuffed for the lads, they’ve had an excellent year – first winning the FIRA/AER European Championship in March and then a successful summer tour. A few of these guys will be with the Under 18s next season so we’ll look forward to seeing them again, and a few will hopefully progress into the Under 20s”

Captain James Chisholm added: “We’ve had a great time out here in South Africa – we knew that today was the last time we’d all be playing together as a group and we were keen to put in a good performance. I thought that we did well in the first half but maybe dropped a little in the second, but we got the win and we’re pleased with that.”

Points: Howe 1T, Mitchell 1T; Olver 1C

England Under 18s starting XV against France
15 Howard Packman (Moulton College & Northampton Saints) 14 Tom Howe (Shiplake College & London Wasps) 13 Tom Fowlie (St Pauls Catholic College & London Irish) 12 Nick Carpenter (Filton College & Bristol Rugby) 11 Josh Skelcey (Moulton College & Northampton Saints) 10 Sam Olver (Oundle School & Northampton Saints) 9 Rory Jennings (Bryanston School & Bath Rugby) 1 Alex Lundberg (Hampton School & London Wasps) 2 Jack Walker (Prince Henry's & Leeds Carnegie) 3 Ciaran Parker (St Ambrose & Sale Sharks) 4 Tom Ellis (Millfield & Bath Rugby) 5 Charlie Ewels (Bryanston & Bath Rugby) 6 Lewis Ludlow (Hartpury College & Gloucester Rugby) 7 Will Owen (QE Leicester & Leicester Tigers) 8 James Chisholm (Brighton College & Harlequins) (C)

Replacements:
16 Cameron Neild (Manchester Grammar & Sale Sharks) on for Jack Walker 35 mins 17 Luke Chapman (Truro College & Exeter Chiefs) on for Ciaran Parker 35 mins 18 Paul Hill (Prince Henry's Grammar & Leeds Carnegie) on for Luke Chapman 62 mins 19 Josh Peters (Oundle School & Northampton Saints) on for Tom Ellis 55 mins 20 Ellis Genge (Hartpury College & Bristol Rugby) on for Alex Lundberg 46 mins 21 James Mitchell (Lymm School & Sale Sharks) on for Rory Jennings 35 mins 22 Hayden Stringer (Oaklands & Saracens) on for Lewis Ludlow 52 mins 23 Josh Sharp (Oaklands College & Saracens) on for Sam Olver 41 mins 24 Max Clark (Bryanston & Bath Rugby) on for Josh Skelcey 35 mins 25 Nathan Earle (Oaklands & Saracens) on for Tom Howe 35 mins