England U20s beat Scots

Photo: Darlington Mowden Park

England U20 were comfortable winners against Scotland on Saturday, but the outcome was much closer than the only previous U20 game between the two nations almost exactly 11 years ago.

That previous match saw an England side that featured future internationals such as Amy Wilson Hardy, Abbie Scott, Alex Matthews and Leanne Rileybeat Scotland 77-0, who themselves fielded future stars such as Hollie Davidson, Lana Skeldon and Hannah Smith.

It will be interesting to see how many of this weekend’s players go to have full international careers.

Scotland had most of the early possession, but it was England who scored first after 11 minutes, Maisy Allen being hauled down short of the line, but England kept it with their forwards and squeezed over the line from close range. Lizzie Duffy adds the extras.

England make a break from the kickoff with the ball was spun wide to Holly Thorpe on the right wing breaking a couple of tackles and diving over for England's second.

Scotland went in the attack again, patiently going through the phases, but again could find no way through the English defence. But after a series of handling errors on both sides, England won a scrum 35m from the Scots line, from which they were able to set up Thorpe for her second try. England now lead 19-0 after 29m.

From the restart England added their fourth. Abi Kershaw making a break from full back into the 22 before spinning it wide. Good hands from the backs set up Maisy Allen and England lead 26-0 afetr 33m.

Despite more Scots possession it was England who ended the half with a fifth score, Kershaw taking advantage of a turnover to send England in 33-0 ahead.

Both sides made changes at the break, and it was not until the 53rdminutes that England added another score in the corner to lead 38-0.

Scotland made it to the England 5m line, but England defended the lineout well and cleared well through Ella Lovibond. In the 67thminute Scotland made it across the England line, only to be called back for a forward pass. Then with five minutes to go a Scots kick ahead saw their winger taken out off the ball, and after consultation Scotland were awarded a penalty try.

Final score – 38-7

England U20:15 Abi Kershaw; 14 Holly Thorpe; 13 Georgina Tasker; 12 Nancy McGillivrry; 11 Jenny Hesketh; 10 Lizzie Duffy; 9 Flo Robinson; 1 China Kill; 2 Alana Bainbridge; 3 Georgie Grimes; 4 Jemima Moss; 5 Delaney Burns; 6 Nikita Prothero; 7 Maisy Allen; 8 Gabriella NigrelliReplacements:16 Kelsey Clifford; 17 Abby Middlebrooke; 18 Beyonce Fowler; 19 Daisy Hibbert-Jones; 20 Megan Barwick; 21 Tori Sellors; 22 Ella Lovibond; 23 Pip Hendy

Scotland Futures15 Evie Tonkin; 14 Roma Fraser; 13 Giselle Chilcott; 12 Fran McGhie; 11 Cieron Bell; 10 Beth Street; 9 Rhea Clarke; 1 Panache Muzambe; 2 Elis Martin; 3 Anne Young; 4 Charlotte Born; 5 Erinn Foley; 6 Freya Walker; 7 Nikki Simpson; 8 Lucy Winter

16 Kate Lindsay 11 Lindsay Mcdirrmid 18 Ellirnn Clarke 19 Krylee Fraser 20 Natasha Logan 21 Jess Fyfe 22 Rachel Law 23 Holly Mcintrye 24 Meryl Smith 25 Liz Musgrove

With thanks to Darlington Mowden Park for their excellent Twitter feed!