For the second time in the space of a week England overcame a spirited challenge from Argentina in the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2007, this time by a more convincing margin of 31-13 to keep alive their hopes of finishing fifth in Division A.
Argentina had given England a scare in their pool match at Deramore, Belfast Harlequins on Monday 9 April, the South Americans fighting back from 17-3 down to lose 17-15 and so revenge would have been on their minds when the side’s met again at Shaw’s Bridge.
England though started the brighter, scoring two tries in the opening six minutes. The first set the tone for the half, Noah Cato taking the ball tight against his touchline in his own half before throwing a dummy and breaking up the wing before offloading to flanker Gareth Dew.
The ball was eventually spun wide for right wing Miles Benjamin to score in the corner after only two minutes. England’s second try quickly followed as fly half Adam Greendale fed Gareth Griffiths, who committed his defender and offloaded for Cato to score.
Fighting back
Alex Goode converted both tries to give England a 14-0 lead before Argentinean fly half Matías Thomas kicked a drop goal to reduce the deficit. England though scored their third try inside 13 minutes when an impressive move sent Cato clear for his second try.
Once more though Argentina hit back, second row Guillermo Roan taking three England defenders over the line with him to score the try that send his side in trailing only 19-8 at half time.
This deficit was reduced even further nine minutes after the break when captain Belisario Agulla turned down a penalty and kicked for the corner. Hooker Roberto Tejeizo threw in the ball to the resultant lineout, then joined the back of the maul and was on hand to touch down.
The conversion was missed to leave Argentina trailing only 19-13, but that was as close as the South Americans got to victory as England ran in two late tries through replacements Andrew Saull and David Smith.