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[Honor James]

The England Academy fell to a 41-10 defeat to the Australian Schoolboys in the first Test at Canberra's Bruce Stadium earlier today.

The tourists were outscored by seven tries to two in a game which saw them fail to replicate the form that had seen them record wins over New South Wales and
Parramatta Juniors in previous weeks.

England got off to a bright start and were in control of a very physical game until the 17 minute mark, when Australian winger Jack Goodsell managed to round
his opposite man and cross under the posts.

The Schoolboys then shot into sixth gear as England struggled to respond and the home side quickly opened up a 24-0 margin within a whirlwind ten minute spell.

Hooker Brad Deitz found himself crossing the line on the 20 minute mark after he found a gap to squeeze through under the posts and just four minutes later
centre Paul Simona was adjudged to have touched the ball down in the corner despite dubious calls from the sidelines.

On the 30 minute mark half-back Mitchell Moses stepped inside two defenders to add his name to the scorers list and give the Aussies a commanding lead.

England centre Luke Briscoe managed to get the Academy on the board with five minutes remaining in the half, when he showed a touch of class to out muscles
two defenders and power his way over.

The second half began in a similar fashion to the first with both sides embroiled in a physical battle which the Academy side were dominating, but it
was a case of déjà vu as Australia scored first through Moses, who gathered a chip through to cross in clear space.

The speedy half-back then completed a hat-trick when he pounded on an English error.

England's James Saltonstall scored the try of the game with ten minutes left on the clock when he was on hand to outsmart the defence and complete an 80 meter
effort, after Ben Currie had burst through a gap from his own 20 meter line but it was scant consolation as Australia responded almost instantaneously through
winger Willis Meehan who profited from another error.

A drop-goal from half-back Moses in the final minute put the finishing gloss on a 41-10 victory for the Schoolboys.

England Academy side v Australian Schoolboys (professional and community clubs):

1, Lewis Tierney (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
2, James Saltonstall (Warrington Wolves, Siddal)
3, Luke Briscoe (Leeds Rhinos, Featherstone Lions)
4, John Ford (Salford City Reds, Blackbrook Royals)
5, Joe Burgess (Wigan Warriors, Ince Rose Bridge)
6, Ryan Hampshire (Wigan Warriors, Normanton Knights)
7, George Williams (Wigan Warriors, Ince Rose Bridge)
8, Liam McAvoy (Bradford Bulls, Broughton Red Rose)
9, Dominic Speakman (St Helens, Halton Hornets)
10, Gavin Bennion (Warrington Wolves, Ryland Sharks)
11, John Bateman (Bradford Bulls, Dudley Hill)
12, Connor Farrell (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
13, Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves, Parkside Golbourn)
14, Luke Thompson (St Helens, Pilkington Recs)
15, Ryan Sutton (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
16, Jordan Baldwinson (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Warriors)
17, Josh Johnson (Huddersfield Giants, Saddleworth)

Tries: Briscoe, Saltonstall

Goals: Hampshire

Australian Schoolboys Team v England Academy
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 (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)

Tries: Goodsell, Beitz, Simona, Moses 3, Willis
Goals: Gutherson 4
Drop-goals: Moses
<ends>