England Universities retained the RFL President’s Cup for the second year running after winning all three games in the competition.
But they were pushed all the way in their final game by a determined and well-drilled Great Britain Teachers side at Lock Lane Sports Centre (Wednesday 19 June), who have shown a marked improvement over the course of the competition having comfortably beaten Great Britain Police and narrowly losing the UK Armed Forces. Final result, 28-20.
Things looked ominous as England scored from their first set, a cheeky chip and chase move from captain Nathan Redmond who touched down with just one minute on the clock, easily converting his own effort to put the students into an early lead.
However the early score fired up GB Teachers, who dominated play for the next 36 minutes, starving England of possession, forcing errors and demonstrating some excellent plays as Nathan Lyon bulldozed his way over from close range on the right edge, although Kieran Moran was unable to level the scores with the kick.
It was Lyon again four minutes’ later who finished the move out wide on the right again to put the Teachers ahead, although Moran was off target with the boot, but he converted his third attempt, an easy effort, as Luke Mitchell-Johnson scooted out of dummy-half and burrowed his way through the student’s line to score beneath the posts to extend the lead.
Both sides locked into a solid arm-wrestle for the next twenty minutes, with England obviously frustrated by their own errors and the Teachers soaking up any pressure that was built, with both former England Universities players Aaron Hall and Jed Goddard on impressive form and Chris Cullimore’s probing kicks keeping England penned into their own half for much of the period.
Salvation came for England in the form of a Leon Stewart trademark side-step and jinking run to clawback some points with a try just before half time, Redmond adding the extras to reduce the deficit to 12-14 at the break.
England pressed the reset switch at half-time and shortly into the second half Jake Dickinson made up for his first-half no-try by getting on the end of Redmond’s grubber kick to score a crucial try to move England back in front, with Redmon adding a towering conversion from the sidelines.
Goddard struck back shortly afterwards, completing a 3v2 in the corner and shrugging off defenders as he touched down wide on the left edge to level the scores. Moran was unable to add the extras, but was on target shortly afterwards as England were penalised for an off-the-ball incident under their own posts, moving the Teachers two points clear.
The Teachers dug in again for a solid defensive period in which both sides showed some impressive defensive efforts, with Fin Hay shining for several one-on-one tackles for England.
As the game went down to the wire, Elliot Shaw scampered free in broken play on the left edge to ground the ball before the corner flag to restore England’s advantage with Redmond adding a further two points with another impressive conversion.
The Teachers fired back, but as England completed their next set, Tyler Hepple’s mountainous bomb was dropped by Ellis Cousins and with pressure built, Hepple himself spotted the gap to dive through and seal and victory for England Universities with Redmond’s wide kick being inconsequential as the referee blew time.
England will now face Wales Students in a two match series - the first game taking place at Aberavon Harlequins RFC on Sunday 30th June, 3pm K.O., before the return fixture is played at Stanningley on Saturday 6th July, 2.30pm, K.O.. More details can be found here.
England Universities: Ben Price, Charlie Gay, Tom Oldroyd, Leon Stewart, Jake Dickinson, Elliot Shaw, Nathan Redmond, Fin Hay, Shaun Baker, Aaron Harlow-Stephenson, Issac Coleman, Luciano Bejanidze, Ben O’Donnell. Interchanges: Henry Davies, Tyler Hepple, Harry Lowery, Aaron Powell, Delaine Bedward-Gittens.
Tries: Nathan Redmond (1), Leon Stewart (38), Jake Dickinson (46), Elliot Shaw (72), Tyler Hepple (79)
Goals: Nathan Redmond 5/6
GB Teachers: Jed Goddard, Jordan Siddons, Keane Naylor, Ellis Cousins, Nathan Lyon, Chris Cullimore, Ryan Wright, Aaton Hall, Luke Mitchell-Johnson, Chris Rushworth, Jack Walton, James Jackson, Kieran Moran. Interchanges: Joe Edwards, Ryan Morley, Dan Douglas, Elliot Townsend, Carl Etherington.
Tries: Nathan Lyon (8, 12), Luke Mitchell-Johnson (16), Jed Goddard (51)
Goals: Kieran Moran 2/5
Half Time: 12-14
Referee: Oliver Salmon
