England U20 overpower Army
England beat the British Army 99-5 in Havant as they warm up for their series with France
Published by John Birch, March 23rd, 2024
2 minute read
New England U20 coach LJ Lewis had a winning start in her first fixture as England U20s recorded the largest ever win for an England selection against a British Army team at Havant today.
England opened the scoring inside two minutes with a try for Ella Cromack, but it was not until the 10th minute before Niamh Swailes touched down after the Army had no response to an English maul (12-0). Wing Reneeqa Bonner added a third in the 13th minute (19-0), with an impressive touchline conversion from Cromack.
Tries now flowed regularly and at halftime England led 54-0.
It was not entirely one way, and in the midway through second England's defence performed well to prevent and Army try despite their being camped on the England line for several minutes, though Lauren Brooks did finally find a way through for the Army in the 66th minute, at which point the score was 80-5.
Three more England tried were to come in the final ten minutes for a comprehensive 99-5 win.
England U20: 1 Chloe Flanagan 2 Niamh Swailes 3 Catherine Wells 4 Lilli Ives Campion 5 Lola Whitley 6 Steph Else 7 Ellie Roberts 8 Annabel Meta 9 Tori Sellors
10 Ella Cromack 11 Sophie Hopkins 12 Amelia MacDougall 13 Millie Hyett 14 Reneeqa Bonner 15 Lia Green
16 Lucy Callardine,11Amellia Williams. 18 Hanna Sams.19 Jorla Battishall, 20 Jola Bennett. 21 Alex Wilkinson, 22 Samantha Shiels. 23 Evelyn Clarke, 24 Carmela Morrall. 25 Millie David
Army: 1 Sarah Batley 2 India King 3 Sophie Benavent 4 Skye Jackson 5 Anneka Willis 6 Lauren Brooks 7 Sam West 8 Heidi Silcox 9 Gemma Pearson
10 Emily Griffiths 11 Charlotte Tweddle 12 Lou Dodd 13 Amy Darr 14 Jess McAuley 15 Jade Mullen
RESERVES 16 WhItecross11 Lewis,18 Beacom, 19 Carr, 20 Belhouse. 21 Frost, 22 Reynolds. 23 Bibby, 24 Gilmour