By AlanQuin
June 26 2003

If England thought they were going to maintain or improve their standing following completion of this Under-21 Rugby World Cup, the Welsh were going to have none of it. They swept England away at Henley outscoring them by 44 points to 27, a result that flatters England due to two late tries by Andy Reay and Chris Bell when the result was already beyond doubt.

From the start Wales were quicker and more skilful with ball in hand, running at every opportunity. Their pack soon took control so that England had poor ball and little or no space to run. Matters were not help by some idiosyncratic refereeing by the South African referee from whom England had suffered in their match against Australia. The first Welsh try came after seven minutes and the next only four minutes later. A solitary penalty was all that England had to show in reply.

Then, with the first quarter over, good combination between the two centres resulted in Andy Reay putting Chris Bell over for a try under the posts. Wales, however, continued to press and were unlucky not increase their score. Holford, the England prop was sin-binned just before the interval and at half-time England was lucky to be only 13 – 18 behind.

After half-time Wales increased the pressure and within the first ten minutes had scored two more tries and wasted the opportunity for a third when the kick through was knocked on over the line. England had little space and even fewer opportunities. Those that they managed to achieve they also threw away.

A penalty try for Wales followed when Chris Bell, vainly trying to prevent another try, tackled the player without the ball as the score was about to be made. A yellow card should have followed, but did not. Another penalty soon did and the score was England 13 Wales 42.

But time was running out. England mounted last desperate attempts on the Welsh line and both Andy Reay and Chris Bell scored in the dying minutes. It was too little, too late.

England play Scotland on Sunday morning at 11.00 a.m. at Newbury to decide seventh/eighth places.