Playing into strong wind in the first half the Saints opened the scoring with a try from wing Josh Clark. Good interlink play between the half-backs Daryl Veenendaal and Jones led to the latter scoring the second a few minutes later. Lock Ollie Marriott was next to cross after a clean line break and 30-metre sprint to the line.
Centre Ollie Storey was next to score, on the end of a slick backs move. The backs found plenty of space to attack out wide but the forwards were securing good set piece possession as well and from a close range effort hooker George Warner powered his way over. U16 centre Sam Collins from Campion School was quick to react to turnover ball and notched up a score just before half-time.
The break gave us an opportunity to make some changes and three more of our promising U16s made their Junior Saints Academy debuts. Scrum-half Chris Smart, centre Jamie Elliott (both from Bedford School) and fly half Glyn Hughes from Biggleswade RFC showed what they could do at this level. Helped by a dominant pack with the back row of Sam Hodgson, Liam Neale and Jordan Wood regularly winning turnovers at the breakdown the backs had a good platform to attack and find space.
Further scores were added when prop Alex Waller showed an impressive turn of pace by sprinting clear from 40m to add to the score. Elliott scored the next two tries, the latter from his own 22 to outpace the cover defence. Smart showed good vision when he sniped his way over the line from close range after spotting a gap in the fringe defence.
The final few minutes saw lock Owen Giles appearing in midfield to run at space created by the previous phases of possession to go under the posts. Collins added his second try of the match and rounded off the scoring after a good break from Hodgson from yet another turnover.
Credit and thanks must go to the USA team and their management who never gave up and showed resilience for the entire match. Despite being on the end of a heavy defeat they all held their heads up and we wish them well for their final match of their tour when they take on Doncaster Academy.
The Academy has two remaining U19s matches this season, against Sale on April 11th and Worcester on April 19th, both at Franklins Gardens.
Meanwhile JSA number eight Rob Milligan came off the bench to help England Under-18 defeat Scotland 32-5 and record a Six Nations Grand Slam.
England Coach Alex Sanderson said: “I am delighted and the boys are ecstatic. This was a good win but just as importantly it means we have defeated all our opponents, and they have been tough opponents this season.
“In the short term, we have a development tour to Argentina in August and I’m sure this will be a great experience for all these players. In the long term I am sure several of these lads have a really bright future ahead of them. I wouldn’t be surprised if they replicate the talent of the England Under 19s team in 2005. That team included the likes of Danny Cipriani, Shane Geraghty and Nick Abendanon who have all gone on to play for England seniors since. There is some real talent here.”
The Saints Academy is sponsored by LIO.
