Leatherbarrow double not enough for Scotland Under-20s

By Mark Stevens
4/2/22

Exeter Chiefs youngster Ollie Leatherbarrow scored two tries for Scotland Under-20s, but it was not enough to prevent his side from a 41-24 defeat to England Under-20s in their opening Six Nations Championship encounter.

For an hour at the DAM Health Stadium, Scotland offered creditable resistance to their rivals from across the border, but in the end they ran out of steam and it was Alan Dickens’ side who prospered.

Lining up at No.8, Leathbarrow - a student at Exeter University - gave Scotland a 13th minute lead when he was able to force his way over from a quick-tap penalty.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure as Robin McClintock saw a drop-goal chance cannon back off the post, before Christian Townsend went close from a quick line-out.

England, though, survived the threat and were able to counter with their own score, Henry Arundell showing incredible pace to run the length of the field to touchdown in the corner.

But Scotland were not rocked by England’s equalising against the run of play. They battered at the England line and in the 29th minute Leatherbarrow looked to have made his way over the line for a second time.

However, after a long TMO review, it was deemed that England’s Kofi Cripps had stopped him short, and Scotland were instead awarded a five-metre scrum. Time for a second attempt, and this time Scotland were rewarded. England were unable to stop the young Exeter student as he picked the ball from the base of the scrum and the dived over the line. Townsend bookended the try with a successful conversion.

In the final ten minutes, England struggled for possession but were finding holes in the Scottish defence out wide. Ethan Grayson made significant ground after breaking a tackle, and Scotland were forced to give away a penalty. England kicked for the corner and their driving maul lead to a try from Toby Knight.

Just two minutes after the break, a misplaced pass from England inside Scotland’s half gave Ross McKnight the chance to stretch his legs, with the winger nearly making it to the try line before being taken down by Arundell.

With England’s try-line in touching distance, Scotland continued to put the visitors under to cosh, and Ollie Melville picked up the ball from the bottom of the ruck and wrestled his way over the line.

Ever determined, England pushed back with Scotland penalised in front of their own posts for not rolling away - and the visitors took the opportunity to reduce their arrears by three.

Minutes later, England then took the lead when Arundell’s lightning pace was shown again as he burst clear from inside his own half. He passed in-field to Tom Carr-Smith, who dotted down.

Scotland were begining to show signs of fatigue and after three penalties in quick succession, Olujare Oguntibeju was placed in the sin bin. A man down in defence, it wasn’t before long that England could capitalise and Toby Knight crossed from short range for his second of the night.

Within a minute of Knight’s try, England were back in for another. Fresh-legged George Hendy clear up the left and passed infield to Grayson, who scored his first try.

A relentless game continued but Scotland looked like they had found a second wind. Max Williamson found acres of space in midfield, and quick reactions from Duncan Munn found him nudging a loose ball down the pitch, diving on it over the line. It looked to be good, however the TMO adjudged that Max Williamson had knocked it on.

England found another score in the 76th minute. A big push at the scrum won the visitors the ball back, and within a couple of phases Tom Litchfield broke a tackle and made his way to the line.

Scotland fought hard until the very end, and were rewarded with a bonus point try when Gregor Hiddleston bundled over at the back of a rolling maul with the last play of the game. A conversion from Christian Townsend closed the game.