By AlanQuin
June 18 2003

Six tries from the four Harlequins who were playing for England Under21 against Japan Under21 at Newbury last evening contributed in no small measure to the substantial score of 69 – 3 by which England notched up their first win in this Under 21 Rugby World Cup.

Newbury is a pitch dug out of hillside and levelled to provide a fine surface and has a fine clubhouse. Unfortunately, it is very exposed and on Tuesday, despite the sunshine, a strong gusting wind blew down the ground from the west making kicking a difficult art whether from hand or at goal. Playing into the wind brought the additional problem of the sun direct into the eyes.

Never likely to be able to overcome England, the Japanese ran hard and moved the ball about skilfully. They battled hard in ruck and maul. They caused England some difficulty for the first few minutes and after some six minutes a yellow card against England’s hooker, reduced England to 14 men and from the resulting penalty the Japanese opened the scoring with the resulting three points. It was the last time they scored in the match.

It was after about 15 minutes that the ball was passed quickly right from a lineout and Andy Reay broke through a tackle and crossed for England’s first try. The difficult wind caused the conversion to be missed. Shortly after, a yellow card for the Japanese for failing to roll away in the tackle allowed England more space and a strong attack led by the two centres, Bell and Reay led to James Bailey’s first try of the evening. Once again Thrower missed the conversion. However almost immediately after he was able to run through to score and converted his own try.
17 – 3.

But now the England forwards were beginning to dominate the opposition pack and when a further yellow card for a late tackle reduced Japan to 13 for two minutes, first Bell and then Hobson broke through to score tries which Thrower converted bringing the half-time score to 29 – 3.

The second half started quietly – for at least a minute or two. Then Andy Reay went off to the blood-bin for repairs and was replaced by Ugo Monye. There is already a discernible air of expectation around the ground when Ugo appears. The expectation was justified because from his first touch he was away down the touchline to score under the posts. The conversion, with the wind, was a formality. 36-3

Andy Reay returned and Ugo Monye left amid audible moans of regret in the crowd. But the tries continued. James Bailey scored two more tries to complete his hatrick. Henry Barratt showed just how good he is in scoring two tries and finally Ugo Monye, back on as a replacement scored his second try with his second touch of the ball.

What a three-quarter line Quins have in prospect!