England Universities completed a double over Wales Students on Saturday (6 July), but were made to work for the 44-6 win just as they were in Port Talbot a week prior.
And whilst England take the spoils from both games, both nations should be proud of their contribution to International Student Rugby League for their efforts in staging the series.
Luke Phoenix opened England’s account on his return to the side from injury, finishing in the right corner as Ben Price and Tol Oldroyd moved the ball wide. Ben Price’s conversion fell short in the wind, but he as on target shortly afterwards when he converted Freddie Ziegler’s try, with the winger having scorched in on the left wing.
Wales hit back as Jack Hunter beat Phoenix in a foot race to the corner, with Ollie Firth adding a towering conversion from the touchline.
Both sides traded blows up the middle in a physical encounter which matched the previous weekend’s game for robust tackling and hard running forwards.
Price jinked and weaved his way through in the middle of the park to move England further ahead just before the half hour mark, adding the easy kick from in front of the posts and England dug in again just before the half time whistle as Harry Lowery bulldozed his way through at the side of the sticks to add a further try, with Price on target with the boot to give England a 22-6 half time lead.
Winger Jake Dickinson completed a right to left move for England ten minutes into the second half, missing his own conversion attempt before Leon Stewart shrugged off defenders on a solo run in the middle of the field, scoring to the left of the posts. Dickinson added the extras with England firmly in control of the game.
Shortly afterwards Harry Gray mopped up some poor handling to give England a further score, Dickinson adding the easy extras, before Ben Price had the final say of the game, the series and the season for England as he went under the posts for a second, his conversion being the final act of the game as the referee blew full-time.
England Universities:
Ben Price, Luke Phoenix, Euan Parke, Tom Oldroyd, Freddie Ziegler, Charlie Gay, Elliott Shaw, Aaron Harlow-Stephenson, Sean Baker, Fin Hay, Luciano Bejanidze, Henry Davies, Aaron Powell. Interchanges: Jake Dickinson, Leon Stewart, Ben O’Donnell, Harry Lowery, Delaine Bedward Gittens, Femi Sanya, Harry Gray, Isaac Coleman, Tom Wilkins.
Tries: Luke Pheonix (6), Freddie Ziegler (9), Ben Price (28, 79), Harry Lowery (39), Jake Dickinson (50), Leon Stewart (61), Harry Gray (65)
Goals: Ben Price 4/5, Jake Dickinson 2/3,
Wales Students:
Euan Owen, Jack Hunter, Llewelyn Hawkes, Jac McGuffie, Ollie Moody, Lloyd Evans, Lewis Ingram, Oscar Fisher, Ben Luxford, Scott Simons, Olly Firth, Jacob Purcell, Alfie Valasco. Interchanges: Dylan Morgan, Jamie Jenkins, ?Garin Nicholls, ?Joseph Caldwell, Thomas Moore,
Tries: Jack Hunter (15)
Goals: Ollie Firth 1/1
Referee: Adam Woods (England)
Half-time: 22-6
Full-time: 44-6
