The North returned to winning ways after the South having the upper hand for the last two years as the ninth Annual University Rugby League Origin Game was staged at Loughborough University.
Sunday's game was the final stage of selection for the England Universities team which will be named later this month and featured players representing 23 institutions from all regions of the country.
In fine conditions and with a healthy crowd in attendance, Nathan Groom broke the deadlock with the first score for the North, powering in on the right wing. Fin Balback was unable to add the conversion from the touchline.
Established England international Leon Stewart showed his class as he broke through in the centres to move the North further ahead, this time giving Balback an easier shot on goal.
The South battled and as a result Ben Bell-Thorn got them off the mark, finding his way in on the right edge, with Oli Winterbottom’s towering conversion from the touch line on target.
Deusjes Nzage restored the gap for the North just before the break in the right corner, but again Balback couldn’t find his mark with the kick from out wide.
Nzage added his brace 3 minutes into the second half with a carbon copy try of his first, but this time Balback was on target to stretch the advantage for the North before Ed Grogan found his way in. Balback couldn’t convert.
Waldimar Matahwa closed out North’s scoring, chasing through on Balback’s missed drop-goal attempt to ground the ball and add a further four ponts, with Balback successful with the place kick.
Fittingly, South scored a consolation, fully deserved given the scoreline did not reflect their effort, with Tristan Walters bouncing off defenders to go under the posts. Winterbottom added the easy conversion as the final whistle went.
The win gives North 7 wins to South’s 2 since the annual game was first played for in 2016.
North
Logan Caroline-Hines, James Evans, Leon Stewart, Waldimar Matahwa, Nathan Groom, Fin Balback, Ben Grindley-Roberts, James Leech, Max Hammell, Ben O’Donnell, Mackauley Stephenson, Isaac Coleman, Elliot Martin.
Interchanges: Dafydd Morgan, Harry Kirk, Jayden Crellin, Adam Kirby, Ted Grogan, Deusjes Nzage, Joe Brittain.
Tries: Nathan Groom (13), Leon Stewart (20), Deusjes Nzage (39, 43), Ed Grogan (63), Waldimar Matahwa (76)
Goals: Fin Balback 3/6
South
Ben Price, Tristan Aromian, Ben Bell-Thorn, Freddie Ziegler, Jacob Rigby, Oli Winterbottom, Tega Rume-Tabiowo, Charlie Penton, Freddie Smith, Tristan Walters, Ben Smith, Teddy Davidson.
Interchanges: Matteo Tafi, Stephen Webber, Tom Milton, Dan Perry, Toby Harrison, Alex Ringshall, Ollie Moody.
Tries: Ben Bell-Thorn (28), Tristan Walters (79)
Goals: Oli Winterbottom 2/2
Referee: James Collins
Half Time: 14-6
Full Time: 30-12
Photo Credit: Steve Biltcliffe
