Gloucester prove too strong for Saints

U18S LEAGUE

By BEN JAYCOCK

GLOUCESTER Academy’s U18s continued their impressive form with a commanding 33-7victory over last season’s reigning champions, Northampton Saints, at Hartpury on Thursday.

The opening scores came late in the first half, with Rakhat Clarkson powering over from a pick-and-go, quickly followed by an exquisite chip and regather from Kai Wilkinson. Captain Tomos Evans converted both to give Gloucester a 14-0 half-time lead.

Gloucester continued their scoring in the second half as Tommy Whorrod intercepted a pass to score. Monty Jones’ close-range drive secured the bonus point, and Theo Rogers finished the scoring with a swift try from a five-metre scrum, and Evans added the extras to seal a 33-7win.

Elsewhere at Allington Fields, a Bath blitz saw the Blue, Black and Whites comfortably beat Harlequins 38-19 at Chippenham RFC yesterday.

Henry Veale opened the scoring to finish a power move from Bath, and Tom Meredith made it two soon.

Ben Allen crossed off a driving maul, and No.8 Henry Sui crossed from close range.

Quins, to their credit, never gave up and came back in the second half with a gutsy display. Leo Dickinson set up Ben Perkins scored in the corner, before Luc Spingate also crossed out wide.

Bath scored their sixth through an interception from recent England U18s captain Declan Treacey. The west Londoners kept coming until the death, and the hard-carrying centre Jack Cosgrove rounded off the scoring.

Saracens beat Yorkshire Academy away from home 52-12 at Bishop Burton College on Friday. The north Londoners led 28-12 at half-time through tries from Charlie Morgan, PJ Ludlow & two from Freddie Stewart, with Henry Hodgson converting all four trys.

Sarries maintained their dominance in the second period with further scores through Ediz Karsak, Ore Adebayo, Tiane Elone, and Ludlow’s second.