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England Saxons Win first match in Churchill Cup 2009

Joe Simpson scores
By RFU Press Office
June 7 2009
ENGLAND SAXONS kicked off their Churchill Cup defence with a hard fought victory over Argentina Jaguars.

England Saxons 28 v 20 Argentina Jaguars

 

ENGLAND SAXONS kicked off their Churchill Cup defence with a hard fought victory over Argentina Jaguars.

Second half tries from Matt Smith, Tom Varndell and Man-of-the-Match Joe Simpson put the Saxons in front in the second half after a first half of errors.

JOE SIMPSON Club: London Wasps Position: Scrum half

Joe Simpson - Photos Courtesy of RFU.com

In a physical encounter the two sides were at loggerheads in the first half which saw penalties occupying the scoreboard, one from Danny Cipriani and two from Martin Rodriguez sent the teams in at the interval at 3-6.

Saxons added a further penalty and two conversions in the second half from the boot of Cipriani and a drop goal from replacement fly half Stephen Myler.

MATT SMITH Club: Leicester Tigers Position: Wing

Matt Smith 

England's second half comeback saw lively debutant Smith cross over under the posts after receiving an inside pass from Shane Geraghty.

But Argentina were never far behind and after another England error, Rodriguez potted another penalty to take his count to three and the scores to 10-9.

Two further errors followed one for Argentina crossing and one for England being offside, to keep the scores ticking to 13-12.
It took scrum half Simpson to break the deadlock, popping up from the back of a scrum to run over on the outside taking Saxons to a 20-12 lead.

Argentina struck in the 63 minute through replacement number 18 Tomas Roan and a failed conversion took them to within three points.

Varndell took Saxons eight points clear on the 70 minute making a short 10 metre dash for the line after grabbing the ball from the ruck.

A drop goal by Myler on the whistle cemented England's victory, 28-20.



England Saxons: 15 Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby), 14 Tom Varndell (Leicester Tigers), 13 Dominic Waldouck (London Wasps), 12 Shane Geraghty (London Irish),11 Matt Smith (Leicester Tigers), 10 Danny Cipriani (London Wasps), 9 Joe Simpson (London Wasps),1 David Flatman (Bath Rugby), 2 Rob Webber (London Wasps), 3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)*, 4 Peter Short (Bath Rugby), 5 Stuart Hooper (Captain, Bath Rugby), 6 Chris Jones (Sale Sharks), 7 Ben Woods (Leicester Tigers), 8 Luke Narraway (Gloucester Rugby)

Replacements: 16 Tom Mercey (Saracens) rep Cole (40min), 17 Mark Lambert (Harlequins) rep Flatman (68min), 18 Neil Briggs (Sale Sharks), 19 Tom Guest (Harlequins) rep Narraway (60min), 20 Phil Dowson (Newcastle Falcons) rep Short (40), 21 Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons) rep Simpson (75), 22 Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints) rep Cipriani (65).

Scorers: Tries: Smith, Simpson, Varndell; Pens: Cipriani (2); Cons: Cipriani (2); Drop Goal: Myler

Sin binned: None

Argentina Jaguars: 15 Martin Rodriguez (Atletico de Rosario), 14 Tomas De Vedia (London Irish), 13 Matias Viazzo (Bourgoin), 12 Horascio Alberto San Martin (Tala RC), 11Francisco Jose Merello (Regatas de Bella Vista), 10 Ignacio Mieres (Perpignan), 9 Martin Landajo (CASI), 1 Juan Figallo (Jockey Club), 2 Agustin Creevy (Captain, San Luis), 3 Pedro Arocena Ledesma (Stade Francais), 4 Carlos Jose Caceres (Tucuman Lawn Tennis), 5 Mariano Galarza (Univeritario de La Plata), 6 Alejandro Tomas Campos (Pueyrredon), 7 Leonardo Senatore (GER), 8 Tomas Leonardi (SIC)

Replacements: Juan Francisco Gomez (Leeds), 17 Mauricio Raul Guidone (La Plata RC), 18 Tomas Roan (La Plata), 19 Agustin Guzman (Tucuman RC), 20 Francisco Cubelli (Belgrano Athletic), 21 Benjamin Urdapilleta (CUBA), 22 Lucas Bernado Oro (Universitario)

Scorers: Tries: Roan; Pens: Rodriguez (5); Cons:

Sin binned: None

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)

Saxons 2009 Churchill Cup fixtures and results
Saturday, June 6
 England Saxons 28 - 20 Argentina Jaguars, Infinity Park, Denver
Sunday, June 14
USA v England Saxons, Infinity Park, Denver, kick off 13.00

Sunday June 21
Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Churchill Cup finals (12.05pm, 2.30pm, 4.45pm)

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England Saxons Win first match in Churchill Cup 2009
Posted by: Unofficial England Rugby Union (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 09:21

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Re: England Saxons Win first match in Churchill Cup 2009
Posted by: RFU: Press Release (IP Logged)
Date: 07/06/2009 09:30

England Saxons player reaction


Stuart Hooper (Captain, Bath Rugby)

"We expected a tough game from Argentina and we had a plan in place which we stuck to pretty well and we got the result.

"Argentina are a very competitive side and they came at us and really put pressure on us at the break down. We have to learn from that and improve for next match.

"The altitude does play a factor but I've never played a 80 minute match and not felt tired. It is great the whole tournament is being hosted in Denver everyone we speak to is excited about the Churchill Cup and we are excited to be here.

"We face USA on Sunday and it is in the middle of a very competitive season for them, they have played some test matches in the last few weeks. They also have a match mid week before they play us so they are going to be really together and playing well and it will be another huge challenge for us."

Man of the Match, Joe Simpson (London Wasps)

"It was a big match today and the heat played a massive factor, playing in the mid afternoon in this heat is hard work. The altitude also plays a part, it really takes the puff out of you

"Argentina put up a fight. It was only in the last couple of minutes that we managed to finish the game off. We look ahead to next week now and stepping up a gear.

"I thought the support we had today was fantastic and I think the crowd will grow for our match next Sunday with USA."

Chris Jones (Sale Sharks)

"It is really nice to see so many fans here, I have played in the Churchill Cup a few times now and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. Infinity Park is a great stadium and the pitch was good to play on, it held firm.

"The Saxons have such a reputation that I think we let the pressure to get us out there today.

"Sides like Argentina have a fantastic work rate and passion, they came out today and made it hard work for us. The game was scrappy but I'd take a scrappy victory rather than a well played loss any day."

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