WALES 30 ENGLAND LIONS 10
IAN GOLDEN, The Gnoll, Neath, Saturday
WALES, who were only 10-4 ahead at the break, dominated the second period to clinch their fourth successive Under 16 title and preserve their 100 percent winning record in the competition’s history.
The hosts, who were never behind, opened the scoring on seven minutes when Max Phillips squeezed in wide out after fine approach work by Danny Jones.
Seven minutes later, England were level when Jaden Udegbe pouched a crossfield kick.
Udegbe couldn’t pull off a repeat a few minutes later and Wales took full advantage when Jack Parrott sent Leighton Clarke over, Parrott converting to establish a six-point cushion at the break.
Alfie Davies extended Wales’ lead five minutes into the second half and further scores followed for Mason Lewis and Rhys Wood, with another Parrott goal stretching the lead to 24-4.
Udegbe claimed his second try with ten minutes left – Jack Bowden, the highest points-scorer in the tournament, adding the extras – but Wales finished in style with another Wood touchdown and Parrott’s third goal.
The only blemishes for Wales were late red cards for Danny Jones (his second of the tournament, for an alleged headbutt) and, after the final whistle, Cyrus Owen-Green for allegedly punching.
WALES: Scott Hewitt, Rhys Anthony, Leighton Clarke, Max Phillips, Alfie Davies, Jack Parrott, Kelyn Jude-Hobbs, Danny Jones, Zac Nottingham, Cyrus Owen-Green, Mason Lewis, Charlie Eatly (c), Rhys Wood. Subs: Morgan Jones, Frazer Redman, Will Mordecai, Caden Templar, Jack Field, Charlie Noakes
ENGLAND: Josh Evans, Jaden Udegbe, Jonah Carter, Billy-Buster Knight, Kyle Johnson, Jack Bowden, Mason Leaf, Conner Tyson, Michael Lyons, Marley Taylor-Harrop (c), Charlie Wood, Ryan Cunliffe, Ellis Dockerty. Subs: Nathan Green, Harry Waddington, MJ Morris, Oli Lockett, Connor Sutcliffe, Warren Craig
Referee: Kristoff Young
SCOTLAND 14 IRELAND 34
BARRY McGUFFOG, Hawick, Saturday
SCOTLAND opened and closed the scoring but between-times the Ireland were the stronger side by some distance and deservedly prevailed by dint of scoring six tries to three.
Blair Murray crossed for the home side in the ninth minute but Ireland were 18-4 ahead at the interval, courtesy of touchdowns by Oscar Bradley, Callum McDonald and Noah Walsh, each of which Joseph Clarke improved.
The procession continued on the restart with tries by Clarke (on 38 and 60 minutes) while Bradley claimed his second score on 52.
Clarke completed a five-goal haul to register an 18-point contribution before Scotland posted consolation touchdowns for Jay Cruikshank and Murray, with Reece McAdam adding a conversion.
SCOTLAND: Carter Shields (Blackpool Scorpions), Blair Murray (Forth Valley Vikings), William Porter (Barrow Island), Alfie Scudder (Wallsend Centurions), Alfie Haase (Woolston Rovers), Georgie McDermott, Reece McAdam (West Bank Bears), Rowan Doyle, Brodie Butters-McNaught (Orrell St James), Jay Cruickshank (Distington), Kyle Alcock (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Charlie Kelly (Salford City Roosters), Ewan Smith (Westhoughton Lions). Subs: Conlan Goodall (Glenrothes), Jamie Carnaby (Tayside Silverbacks), Bradley Lowthorpe (West Hull Lions), Lewis McConnachie (Falkirk), Lachlan McKelvey (Tayside Silverbacks), Alfie Nairn (Dodworth), Jayden Johnstone (Shevington Sharks).
IRELAND: James Clarke, Laoch Leonard, Noah Walsh, Joe Clarke, Nathan Melia, Charlie Ross, Lucas Flynn, Paddy White, Emjay Leslie, Harvey English, Callum McDonald, Rua McNamara, Kian Roberts. Subs: Evan Cunningham, Aaron Rothwell, Max Cooney, Conor Meadows, Oscar Bradley, Alex Birrell.
Referee: Jordan Robinson