The rampant English team, who had beaten Scotland 59-3 in their opening game, ran in six tries as they stayed on course for a repeat of last year’s clean sweep at this level. They made too many mistakes in the first half, but put it all together after the break to outgun the game visitors.
Outside half Sam Davies gave Wales the lead with a drop goal after 12 minutes, a score that had as much to do with the back row control and drive of Cardiff Blues No 8 Ellis Jenkins as it did to the young Ospreys’ cultured left boot.
But England’s response was emphatic as they notched two quick tries. The first, from strong running wing Josh Bassett, was questionable as TV replays showed he had grounded the ball short of the line. But it came after seven phases of play within a few metres of the Welsh line and a score seemed inevitable.
Tommy Bell converted that try, but couldn’t add the extras to the first of Anthony Watson’s tries on the wing. That came from a sharp break by outstanding centre Charlie Walker and the pace, power and direct running of the home backs played a huge part in them notching a ninth successive win in the Under 20 championship.
It was to Wales’ credit that they were still in touch at the break as two Davies penalties enabled them to change ends a mere six points adrift at 15-9. But in the second half England were as ruthless as they were dominant and were able to run in four more tries to turn the result into a rout.
Wales were forced to make 60 tackles in the first half and almost as many in the second 40. That knocked the stuffing out of them and the fact they missed more than 20 tackles showed how many dents the England runners made.
Â
