England Saxons beat Scotland A to win the Churchill Cup
After a very forgettable week for English rugby union, the country's second-string team at least provided a positive ending by beating Scotland A in Chicago to claim a second consecutive Churchill Cup title, their fourth in six years.
While attention had been squarely focused across the Pacific just hours earlier as the senior squad completed a tour of New Zealand that was disastrous in all respects, Steve Bates' Saxons rounded off their campaign in emphatic style with 20 unanswered points in the latter stages of the second half on Saturday night.
Tries for Nick Abendanon, Jordan Crane and Ugo Monye saw England pull clear of a Scotland second-string that had threatened an upset when they led midway through the second half. Ryan Lamb, the Gloucester fly-half, kicked 16 points for the Saxons, shading his personal duel with the Scots' No10, Gordon Ross of Saracens, who slotted 14 points.
"This squad has been an absolute pleasure to work with," said Bates, the Saxons head coach. "By winning the tournament we've achieved what we set out to do and played some great rugby.
"The Scots put in a very competitive performance and it took longer than we expected to break them down. But we stuck to our guns well and although it was a pretty even game for about an hour, we stepped it up after that."
Note: With thanks to the Guardian.
Time: 06:38
While attention had been squarely focused across the Pacific just hours earlier as the senior squad completed a tour of New Zealand that was disastrous in all respects, Steve Bates' Saxons rounded off their campaign in emphatic style with 20 unanswered points in the latter stages of the second half on Saturday night.
Tries for Nick Abendanon, Jordan Crane and Ugo Monye saw England pull clear of a Scotland second-string that had threatened an upset when they led midway through the second half. Ryan Lamb, the Gloucester fly-half, kicked 16 points for the Saxons, shading his personal duel with the Scots' No10, Gordon Ross of Saracens, who slotted 14 points.
"This squad has been an absolute pleasure to work with," said Bates, the Saxons head coach. "By winning the tournament we've achieved what we set out to do and played some great rugby.
"The Scots put in a very competitive performance and it took longer than we expected to break them down. But we stuck to our guns well and although it was a pretty even game for about an hour, we stepped it up after that."
Note: With thanks to the Guardian.
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Time: 06:38
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10 Comments:
Great display from the Saxons. You wouldn't immediately think it after the debacle down south - but picking 32 men is going to be a hard task for Johnson.
Lamb looked to be orchestrating things beautifully. Given Hodgsons nightmare in the first test Johnson really looks to have got that call wrong.
By Anonymous, at June 24, 2008 6:00 pm
Great game for both teams, infact the best game of rugby i've seen since RWC sadly scotland lost though.
Just as the comment says scotland were playing very strongly and very positively for about an hour, i thought they were going to win it but england really put on this pace which ultimatley turned scotland's down.
Congrats saxons.
By Anonymous, at June 24, 2008 6:11 pm
man i hat banahan although i wouldnt say that to his face!!!
By Anonymous, at June 24, 2008 7:11 pm
A few players for the future. England have a great future if they can use the talent.
By Anonymous, at June 24, 2008 7:26 pm
it's a shame that a few tries came from opposition mistakes and not good ball work.
By Anonymous, at June 24, 2008 10:09 pm
Banahan is a god
By Anonymous, at June 25, 2008 4:47 pm
banahan is taller than all the locks in the england set up apart from shaw. if hes quick enough he should get an england call up because not many people will want to take him on
By Anonymous, at August 10, 2008 7:22 pm
Jordan Crane for england?
i think so, he is a good tackler, gets round the park easy and scores trys. Correct me if m wrong but thats what england needs.
By Anonymous, at October 08, 2008 12:49 pm
Jordan Crane for england?
i think so, he is a good tackler, gets round the park easy and scores trys. Correct me if im wrong but thats what england needs.
By Anonymous, at October 08, 2008 12:50 pm
Jordan Crane for england?
i think so, he is a good tackler, gets round the park easy and scores trys. Correct me if im wrong but thats what england needs.
By Anonymous, at October 08, 2008 12:50 pm
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