Lancashire Academy v Australian Schoolboys

Manchester Regional Arena, 1 December 2018. Lancashire Academy had the first and final word in this entertaining clash against the Australian Schoolboys, who in between crossed the whitewash for six tries to march onto their third-successive tour win in the build up to the First Test against England Academy next Saturday at the Leigh Sports Village. Lancashire trailed 14-8 at the break were put to bed in the opening of the second half with a brace of tries including an intercept try within 28 seconds of resumption when winger Stephen Crichton completed his double. Lancashire's Tom Nisbett was impressive in both attack and defence at fullback and when switching to the wing, and both half backs Oliver Leyland and captain Ben Davies blended well together. Josh Simm showed his potential in the centres and their pack match their counterparts tackle to tackle in which hooker Jake Wingfield was impressive in both his spells with ball in hand and leading his forwards around the field. The Schoolboys were just that bit slicker with Tommy Talau, son of ex Saint Willie Talau, outstanding - involved in making four of his side's tries and creating well always looking dangerous with halfback partner and skipper Jock Madden. The backs were slick in attack and the large pack didn't budge against the hosts. Lancashire Academy: Tom Nisbett (St Helens); Reece Hamlett (Wigan Warriors), Josh Simm (St Helens), Jayden Hatton (Widnes Vikings), John Hutchins (St Helens); Ben Davies (c) (Widnes Vikings), Oliver Leyland (London Broncos); Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Jake Wingfield (St Helens), Nathan Wild (Wigan Warriors); Matty Foster (St Helens), Sam Royle (St Helens); James McDonnell (Wigan Warriors). Subs: Aiden Roden (Wigan Warriors), Christian Kellett (St Helens), Jack Welsby (St Helens), Joe Sharratt (St Helens), Joe Shorrocks (Wigan Warriors), Nathan O’Connor (Widnes Vikings), Sam Halsall (Wigan Warriors). Tries: Simm (1), Hamlett (30), Halsall (60), Wild (78). Goals: Simm 0/2, Davies 1/2 Australian Schoolboys: Tes Niu; Stephen Crichton, Bradman Best, Timanu Alexander, Jacob Saab; Tommy Talau, Jock Madden; Sean Viavelata, Ryan Gray, Jayden Tanner; Junan Compain, Matt Doorey; Jalal Bazzaz. Subs: Max Altus, Harry Croker, Star To’a, Beni Teaupa, Zac Cini, Matthew Dragisk, Tom Dearden, Ratu Nanovo, Franklin Pele. Tries: Compain (9), Gray (25), Crichton (34, 41), Best (49, 65). Goals: Madden 3/6 Half time: 8-14 Referee: Craig Smith Touch Judges: Denton Arnold, Curtis Etchells Players of the Match Jake Wingfield (Lancashire), Tommy Talau (Australian Schoolboys) Attendance: 250 (est)