Chris Ashton ran in for the opening try after Lee Dickson created space for Ashton to score. The early try was the first of three for the Saracens bound winger who got his second and third just before and after the half time break.
Casey Laulala and Mils Muliaina stole the show for the Barbarians in the first half creating chances left, right and centre. All Black legend Muliaina scored two tries in the match but fellow Barbarian Laulala didn’t manage any despite providing space and speed for many other scores.
Dylan Hartley also opportunistically scored on his England return after an 8-week ban and did so thanks to Phil Dowson’s decision to kick to touch rather than take the three points which allowed Hartley to score from a well-choreographed rolling maul from England.
In the second half, Christian Wade showed of his pace and finishing skills by running in a try after a cleverly crafted manoeuvre from the England backs.
Wade showed signs of hunger throughout and was the key to unlocking England’s final try of the afternoon which was finished off by Jonathan Joseph of London Irish who scored two.
Wigglesworth completed probably England’s best try-scoring feet of the match after Ashton pelted down the wing and linked with Tom Johnson and ultimately the Saracens scrum-half who rounded off the attack.
One of England’s greatest defensive centres, Mike Tindall, was next score. However, this time he did so against England after a tap-and-go kick just before the try line, much to the surprise of the England defence.
Tindall’s former Gloucester team mate Iain Balshaw had looked dangerous throughout and when he finally looked set to score, he politely gifted the ball to Taele-Pvihi for the try instead.
After the final whistle, England’s promising young side lifted the Killik Cup which will have provided a great boost ahead of the forthcoming summer tour to South Africa. The Barbarians continue their tour with a game against Ireland at Kingsholm in midweek.
Full Time Score: 57-26
Details:
Scores: 3-0 Farrell pen, 8-0 Ashton try, 10-0 Farrell con, 10-5 Muliaina try, 10-7 Donald con, 15-7 Hartley try, 20-7 Ashton try, 22-7 Farrell con, 27-7 Ashton try, 29-7 Farrell con, 29-12 Muliaina try, 34-12 Wade try, 36-12 Farrell con, 36-17 Tindall try, 36-19 Donald con, 41-19 Wigglesworth try, 43-19 Farrell con, 48-19 Joseph try, 50-19 Farrell con, 50-24 Taele-Pvihi try, 50-26 Donald con, 55-26 Joseph try, 57-26 Farrell con
England: Ben Foden; Chris Ashton, Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, Christian Wade; Charlie Hodgson, Lee Dickson; Matt Stevens, Dylan Hartley, Paul Doran-Jones; Mouritz Botha, Tom Palmer; Tom Johnson, Carl Fearns, Phil Dowson
Barbarians: Mils Muliaina; Paul Sackey, Casey Laulala, Mike Tindal, Iain Balshaw; Stephen Donald, Rory Lawson; Neemia Tialata, John Smit, John Afoa; Mark Chisholm, Anton van Zyl; Ernst Joubert, Akapusi Qera, Johnnie Beattie
27 May 2012
