ENGLAND SAXONS v SCOTLAND A
Match Review by OliverC

A sparse Twickenham crowd, unseasonably cold weather and a heavy pitch all contributed to an uninspiring game between the England Saxons and Scotland A. While both sides were whole-hearted in their efforts, conditions dictated that running rugby would be at a premium. What conditions cannot be blamed for however is the frightening lack of basic skills displayed by both sides throughout the game.

England started the game brightly and after strong carries from Dowson and Voyce the Scots were penalised for not rolling away in the tackle. Olly Barkley stepped up to convert the resulting penalty rather uncertainly off the post. Hopes were high that the Saxons, boosted by the addition of Wasps triumphant Heineken Cup quartet of Haskell, Voyce, Sackey and Cipriani along with Bath’s Barkley, would use this as a platform to display their skills and reward the hardy spectators with a commanding performance. Sadly however this did not materialise. From the restart Scotland had a chance to level the scores after the England second row, Evans, was harshly penalised for over-zealous rucking. Godman however missed with the resulting penalty.

After a scrappy period of play Scotland had another chance to level on 22 minutes when Saxons skipper, Hatley, went offside at the breakdown. Godman this time hit the post with his penalty attempt, albeit from a reasonably tight angle. Blaze caught the ball and hacked the ball to touch on the 22. There followed a prolonged period of Scottish pressure in the English 22 with Scotland putting together a series of phases but making little impression on an English defence expertly led by Dowson and Haskell from the back row and Evans and Blaze from the second row. England contributed to the pressure through basic errors after turnovers had been forced. Barkley was particularly culpable for an atrocious dropped ball on his own 22 when under no pressure.

The one bright moment of the first half came on the stroke of half time. Abendanon fielded a poor kick from Godman just inside his own half and for once, rather than putting boot to ball immediately, England ran from their own half. Abendanon weaved his way through 3 Scottish tackles showing great balance and a gliding running style before offloading in the Scottish 22. After recycling the ball quickly the ball was taken up to the Scottish line and Paice crashed over from a short pass from Wigglesworth. Barkley converted to make the score 10-0 to the Saxons at half time.

England emerged for the 2^nd half seemingly ready to up the pace and made a bright start to the second half. The Scottish line out was stolen by Evans on the 10m line and the forwards drove the ball up to the Scottish 22. The ball went wide and with the Scottish defence rushing up flat Cipriani, who ran the game maturely throughout, dabbed a perfect kick in behind the Scots which Abendanon followed up, showing good football skills, to ground for England’s second try. Barkley pulled the conversion wide but again spirits were lifted and the crowd were hoping for a dominant second half performance from the Saxons. Sadly they were again disappointed.

Once again an early England score was followed by a period of Scottish pressure. Once again however little came of this as a result of good defence from the Saxons and woeful attacking from the Scots. On 65 minutes the Scots were given the opportunity of opening their account from in front of the posts after a series of dreadful mistakes from England. Abendanon was in a good position to diffuse a high kick in his 22 and called a mark, he blotted his copybook however by dropping the ball from the mark giving the Scots a scrum in the England 22. Scotland were penalised for pushing early and England got a free kick and a chance to clear their lines. However, the ball was tapped and nothing happened other than a Scottish player sprinting up and making a big tackle. England then went offside and Macrae converted the penalty.

Again the Scots came back at England and had yet more pressure on the England line but once again never looked like making a breakthrough. However after repeated Saxon infringement Cipriani was yellow carded. The rest of the game was forgettable as the usual raft of replacements dropped the standard even lower. However England had the final say with a penalty from Nils Mordt in the final minute making the score 18-3 to the Saxons.

Overall England were the better side and deserved to win if only because they did something when they had the ball unlike the Scots who were one-dimensional and not even good in that dimension. The England defence was excellent admittedly helped by the blunt attack they were facing. As usual the best players for England were in the forwards with Dowson and Evans outstanding throughout and Blaze and Haskell also enjoying fine games. Abendanon was responsible for the good attacking play from England but uncertainty under the high ball together with some ponderous decision making indicate he is not yet ready for a higher level.

Overall this England performance had a familiar look about it – the failings were familiar. A reluctance to commit men to the breakdown resulting in slow poor quality ball. A static, uninspiring backline not helped by an appalling performance at scrum half from Wigglesworth, his pass was snail paced, his kicking game was indifferent and his decision making was poor. A complete inability of any player to run from deep when receiving the ball. For supposed international players the handling on show was atrocious.

The Hits

1. The forwards in the tight were strong and well organised.
2. Abendanon showed good attacking intent and ran the ball well. 
3. Cipriani controlled the game maturely. 
4. Dowson was outstanding and in my opinion deserved the man of the match award.

The Misses

1. Paul Sackey was talked about as the best winger in England. On this performance he certainly isn’t. His contact skills were awful and he dropped the most straightforward of high balls under no pressure. He looked no threat and was impotent in comparison to Abendanon. On this performance he would be nowhere near an England squad.
2. Olly Barkley was shown up for what he is – a good club player but not good enough to play internationals. Poor handling, average kicking and a lack of threat with ball in hand. He did marshal the defence well but is not good enough to play at the top level on this type of performance.
3. It is disappointing that a team of young players show the same errors in basic skills, the handling was poor throughout, passing behind players and dropping basic passes.

Overall England deservedly won but much work is required if next Saturday is not a day when we see 2 drubbings for England teams.

England Saxons (10) 18
Try: Paice, Abendanon
Pens: Barkley, Mordt
Cons: Barkley

Scotland A (0) 3
Pens: MacRae

England Saxons: Abendanon, Sackey, Sorrell, Barkley, Voyce, Cipriani, Wigglesworth, Hatley, Paice, Brooks, Blaze, Evans, Haskell, Skinner, Dowson. Replacements: Thompson, Forster, Mercey, Croft, Crane, Dickson, Mordt.

Scotland A: R Lamont, Danielli, Kydd, De Luca, Webster, Godman, McMillan, Smith, Thomson, Kalman, Hall, M. Rennie, Strokosch, MacFadyen, Beattie. Replacements: S. Lawson, Dickinson, Hamilton, Barclay, Chrystie, Morrison, MacRae.

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