Gt Britain Schoolboys v Northern Territory Result Options

[rlno1]

Tour opener played Wednesday night in Darwin, match details:

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/08/0...11_ntsport.html

Lions escape Titans' clutches, just [size="4"][/size]

GREGOR MACTAGGART

August 6th, 2009


PULL HIM DOWN: Great Britain forward Jacob Fairbank is gang-tackled by the Territory Titans' enthusiastic defence in last night's high quality under-18s rugby international. Picture: BRAD FLEET

GREAT Britain produced the type of escape Steve McQueen would have been proud of to withstand a courageous Territory Titans team at Richardson Park last night.

A try from centre Nicholas Johnson just five minutes from time spared the Poms' blushes with a hard-fought 18-12 win in an absorbing under-18 international.

In front of a partisan home crowd of more than 3000, the Titans rose to the occasion and gave the touring Lions the fright of their lives.

Even when Johnson's try gave Great Britain some breathing space, the plucky Territory boys threw everything at the visitors in a thrilling last roll of the dice.

The Titans launched a number of assaults on the visitors' line, including one that saw fullback Gavin Brown denied by what seemed a centimetre during the hectic last two minutes.

But some scrambling Lions defence came to the fore and denied the Territory from chalking up a second successive draw against a touring international side in as many years.

Early on, it appeared it would be Great Britain by how far as the tourists racked up a 12-0 lead inside the first quarter of an hour.

But from then on it was all the boys in black and ochre who played like men possessed against the cream of what the Old Dart's junior ranks.

Just as he's done on many occasions for Palmerston and the Territory, blockbusting centre Matthew Johnson provided the spark the Titans needed.

Johnson's trademark evasiveness was evident as he left four defenders in his wake in the space of just 15 metres to score under the posts.

That made it 12-6 at the main break and Johnson was instrumental in levelling the scores midway through the second stanza when his 50m break set up winger Kruise Nichols to score.

Bradley Hansen's pressure conversion 10m in from touch and 20m out made it 12-all and set up the thrilling finish.
Even though Great Britain eventually scored the sealer, it was the Titans who appeared to have control of proceedings and had the visitors under severe pressure.

It was a performance that re-affirms this crop of Territory league talent as stars of the future - some NRL scouts should do themselves a favour and get a copy of the tape.

Johnson, Hansen, halfback Jason Gebert, back-rower Trenton Smith, Brown, props Matthew Paterson-Nicolai and Jeromie Edwards, winger Brett Boucher and hooker Angus Jacobs were all outstanding.

Jake Watts announced himself as a star of the future, with Jono Rioli, Dylan Cartwright and Willie May others to play strong games.

For Great Britain, lock Michael Allen and Mathew Lowe were among their best, with Allen's try and Lowe's work in defence a feature, while Thomas Connick and match-winner Johnson stood tall.

GREAT BRITAIN 18 (Richard Baule, Michael Allen, Nicholas Johnson tries, Scott George 2, Johnathon Pownell goals) d TERRITORY TITANS 12 (Matthew Johnson, Kruise Nichols tries, Bradley Hansen 2 goals).

[Cardiff Cymru]

Thanks for that. I hear the lads did well in the 32 degree heat. Would love to know a team list to see if all the Welsh boys played.

[Emosi Koloto]

Thanks for that. I hear the lads did well in the 32 degree heat. Would love to know a team list to see if all the Welsh boys played.

They did, all the squad had a runout

[grunter]

Thanks for that. I hear the lads did well in the 32 degree heat. Would love to know a team list to see if all the Welsh boys played.

Here you go.
LIONS
24 Daniel Filson (Pilkington Recs)
2 Rhys Fenton (Celtic Crusaders)
3 Nicky Johnson (West Hull)
4 Elliott Miller (Millom)
5 Alex Webber (Celtic Crusaders)
7 Scott George (West Cumbria)
22 Thomas Connick (Pilkington Recs)
14 Anthony Morrison (Saddleworth Rangers)
9 Anthony Nicholson (Leigh Miners Rangers)
11 Sam Hopkins (Leigh East)
13 Michael Allen (Widnes St Maries)
12 Jacob Fairbank (Elland)
1 Mark Wool (Celtic Crusaders)
Subs (all used)
6 Callum Phillips (West Cumbria)
15 Adam Clay (Leigh Miners Rangers)
16 Richard Bailey (Widnes St Maries)
17 Luke Tomlinson (East Leeds)
18 Callum Windley (West Hull)
19 Martin Grey (Leigh Miners Rangers)
20 Kriss Wilkes (Rhyl Coasters)
21 Jonathan Pownell (Leigh Miners Rangers)
10 Anthony Symons (Celtic Crusaders)
23 Mathew Lowe (Wigan St Cuthbert’s)
8 Glenn Riley (West Cumbria)

Tries: Bailey (6), Allen (9), N. Johnson (52)
Goals: George 2, Pownall


http://www.therfl.co.uk/~therflc/community...em.php?id=14920

[marklaspalmas]

This is Great Britain Under 18s and none of them have signed for a professional club?

[grunter]

This is Great Britain Under 18s and none of them have signed for a professional club?

Great Britain Community Lions U18s
Is that the Junior Test team? Sounds like a secondary team as they are playing in all the League hot spots of Darwin and Perth.

[Jonty]

Great Britain Community Lions U18s
Is that the Junior Test team? Sounds like a secondary team as they are playing in all the League hot spots of Darwin and Perth.

It's the best amateur players in their age group. Almost all play in the Gillette National Youth League.

This post has been edited by Jonty: Aug 6 2009, 11:54 AM

[RedPhoenix]

This is Great Britain Under 18s and none of them have signed for a professional club?

Nick Johnson has turned out for HKR under18's this year, not sure about any of the others.

[marklaspalmas]

SO it's a group of U18s not good enough to have been signed by professional clubs (yet)?

Many of the best lads are signed at 16 and 17. These players are not on this tour?

[Jonty]

SO it's a group of U18s not good enough to have been signed by professional clubs (yet)?

Many of the best lads are signed at 16 and 17. These players are not on this tour?

That's because it's not a full GB side and no one's pretending it is, apart from the Australian newspaper that published that article. The RFL in their press releases, reports, website etc. are fairly clear that this is the Community Lions - the best amateur players in their age group - and not GB schoolboys.

[marklaspalmas]

That's because it's not a full GB side and no one's pretending it is, apart from the Australian newspaper that published that article. The RFL in their press releases, reports, website etc. are fairly clear that this is the Community Lions - the best amateur players in their age group - and not GB schoolboys.

I appreciate that Jonty, but you can see where obvious confusion arises to the uneducated eye. After all, this is the only thing Ive seen on it so far, and it's ballsed it up, yeah?

I don't want to be seen knocking the lads who are out there, giving their all and hopefully having the time of their lives, but...

It does seem an odd age group to concentrate on trying to gain amateur rep. honours when the best of them could be trying to gain contracts at pro clubs (I imagine).

Back in the bad old days, the old BARLA u18s would tour. The prestige associated with these tours meant that many players delayed turning pro to make the tour and then sign on their return. That was a far from ideal situation, and so is this. Community Lions, righto. Community Lions u18s? The state of flux between academy & community at that age must cause confusion, eh?

[Dirk Diggler]

More players from Wales than Yorkshire! Tells you all you need to know really.

[nec]

More players from Wales than Yorkshire! Tells you all you need to know really.

That we are now an inclusive sport that has a far greater reach and far more appeal than was ever the case before?

[mick wilson]

Touche

[manofthematch]

Back in the bad old days, the old BARLA u18s would tour. The prestige associated with these tours meant that many players delayed turning pro to make the tour and then sign on their return. That was a far from ideal situation, and so is this. Community Lions, righto. Community Lions u18s? The state of flux between academy & community at that age must cause confusion, eh?

BAD OLD DAYS!!?? They were before BARLA came onto the scene and rescued the amateur game.

Some great players pulled on the red, white and blue and maybe the honor of playing for your country meant more than a pro contract.

[marklaspalmas]

Came down, twas a turn of phrase. Last thing we need is some frothy mouthed BARLA v RFL debate. Sorry, that wasn't my intention.

It was just, you know, if you're going to pick Great Britain U18s, why not just pick the best lads, regardless of who they play for or what league their club's in?