England Counties in East Africa

[observer]

The 3rd and final game (Last Sat - 16th June) was
Elgon Warriors 16-33 England Counties

Check out Ben Pons dancing skills on 2.07!

www.rfu.com/News/2012/June/NewsArticles/120612_Peck_Interview.aspx

ENGLAND COUNTIES made three changes for their final African challenge against the Elgon Warriors at the KRFU Grounds, Nairobi, on Saturday (16th June) but both Moseley representatives (Ben Pons and Craig Voisey) retained their starting places as Counties completed their tour of East Africa with the closest match of the series – winning 33-16.



Bedford Blues’ Stefan Liebenberg comes in at scrum-half in place of Harry Peck and Jack Smales gets the nod at 14 as Chris Briers moves to outside centre for the injured Tom Wheatcroft.

Head Coach Jan Bonney called for the players to put in a performance which reflects a successful two weeks in Uganda and Kenya, during which the tourists have won both matches (now all three – Ed) and taken part in an extensive outreach programme in schools and orphanages.

All 26 players have impressed in training and during the victories over the Ugandan Barbarians (66-13) and the first match against Elgon Warriors (39-5).

Bonney said: “Eleven players have won their first England Counties’ caps during the tour and everyone has proudly represented the shirt both on and off the field. To select 22 from a squad in which everyone has played such a key part is tough.”

The Warriors are made up of the best players from Kenya and Uganda and showed what they are capable of last Saturday in Kampala when they held England to 6-5 in the first half.

And Bonney added: “The Elgon Warriors are a fast and physical side and in Uganda we saw what they are capable of.

“They have also made changes, bringing in more Kenyan players for this Nairobi leg. We need to ensure that we focus on our own game, play our patterns and start this match like we finished the last.

“It has been a real honour to tour East Africa and I know that some of the experiences the players have had through coaching the children in the communities has been something that they will never forget.

“We want our performance tomorrow to show how close the players have become and how much the tour has meant to everyone involved.

“I’m sure that the crowd will be just as loud and impressive this week and it will be a great game of rugby for them.”

The match was televised across Africa on Supersport 9.



England Counties v Elgon Warriors: 1 James Cleverly (Blackheath & Kent), 2 Sam Wilkes (Cinderford & Gloucestershire), 3 Craig Voisey (Moseley & North Mids), 4 Chris Wearmouth (Blaydon & Durham), 5 Richard Boyle (Newcastle Falcons & Northumberland), 6 Billy Johnson (Unattached & Hertfordshire), 7 Ben Pons (Moseley & North Mids), 8 Rob Baldwin (Wharfedale & Yorkshire), 9 Stefan Liebenberg (Old Albanians & Hertfordshire), 10 Rory Teague (Blackheath & Gloucestershire), 11 Phil Chesters (Ealing & Devon), 12 Steve Hamilton (Unattached & Yorkshire), 13 Chris Briers (Fylde & Lancashire), 14 Jack Smales (Nevers & Northumberland), 15 Peter Hodgkinson (Ealing & Cheshire). Replacements: 16 Joe Bonner (Blackheath & Kent), 17 Jared Saunders (Saracens & Hertfordshire), 18 David Dickinson (Tynedale & Northumberland), 19 Gareth Rawlings (Fylde & Lancashire), 20 Harry Peck (Tynedale & Northumberland), 21 Toby Howley-Berridge (Unattached & Eastern Counties), 22 Jim Wigglesworth (Hull & Yorkshire).

[willbassett]

Contractually, I'm not sure of the date but we can claim the the hooker, Sam Wilkes, as a Moseley player now

[Communications Team]

Pons man of the match as England Counties complete tour with 3rd win
(report courtesy of www.bedfordtoday.co.uk – just a different headline to theirs!).

England Counties triumphed 34-14 against the Elgon Warriors in Nairobi last weekend.
Rory Teague clocked up 19 points as England Counties made it three from three with a four-try win.

Teague, second cousin of England and Lions legend ‘Iron Mike’, kicked 15 points and crossed for the Counties second try to wrap up a tour which will go down in East African rugby history.

After their 39-5 defeat in Kampala last week the Warriors showed vast improvement particularly in the set-piece and demonstrated the potential of East African rugby.

Head Coach Jan Bonney said: “Credit must go to the Elgon Warriors, they put us under pressure and were good over the ball.

“We scored some nice tries to earn a good lead but we also made mistakes and missed opportunities.

“We’re delighted with the win and it was a real squad effort. Those who came on made an impact and that is credit to them.

“The whole trip has been about all 26 players and they’ve represented England Counties really well both on and off the pitch in terms of enthusiasm and work rate.

“The outreach work we have done has been incredibly humbling and the fact that the team has bonded so well together has made the tour a fantastic experience on every level. It has certainly created lifelong memories for everyone involved.

“There are some outstanding players in this group, some real talent coming through and this tour has provided them with the opportunity to face new playing challenges and experiences.”

Playing at the RFUEA in Nairobi where the British and Irish Lions beat the Tuskers in 1955 and 1962, the tour has been considered of equal importance to rugby in the host countries of Kenya and Uganda and has revived the heritage of a combined East African side.

England started the second leg well but individual errors and a lack of phase play provided turnover ball and the opportunity for the Elgon Warriors to score penalties and make counter-attacking breaks.

Once in the 22 with the ball in hand England looked dangerous and their first points came after two minutes when the ball was moved out wide for Steve Hamilton to dive low in the corner and Teague added the extras.

Minutes later Eden Agero scored one of three first half penalties and the Warriors began to put England under pressure, disrupting their play.

Teague extended England’s lead to 10-3 before the fly-half added a further seven with a converted try.

A maul just inside the 22, led by Hamilton, left the Warriors short in defence and quick ball by Stefan Liebenberg allowed Teague to step inside and cross the line.

England’s errors and ill-discipline gifted the Warriors six points after powerful attacking runs had put the home side in range of the posts.

Teague replied on the half time whistle with a penalty in another faultless kicking performance to take the Counties into a 20-9 lead.

England spent the first 10 minutes of the second half camped by the Warriors’ try line but failed to take anything from it.

After 60 minutes, Ben Pons, awarded man of the match by his team, made one of many strong runs after taking the ball from the back of a lineout.

Impact substitute Jared Saunders showed good footwork to gain further ground before the ball was spun out through Teague to Briers, who crossed under the posts.

Patrice Agunda scored the Warriors only try of the match before young winger Jim Wigglesworth displayed his potential in creating England’s fourth try.

Cutting a great line and side-stepping at pace he skipped through the Warriors’ defence. From the resultant breakdown just short of the try line, a pick-and-go from Johnson allowed the blindside flanker to set the record of having touched down in every match.

England continued to attack for the final 10 minutes and Teague’s conversion was England’s final score of the tour.

England Counties v Elgon Warriors: 1 James Cleverly (Blackheath & Kent), 2 Sam Wilkes (Cinderford & Gloucestershire), 3 Craig Voisey (Moseley & North Mids), 4 Chris Wearmouth (Blaydon & Durham), 5 Richard Boyle (Newcastle Falcons & Northumberland), 6 Billy Johnson (Old Albanians & Hertfordshire), 7 Ben Pons (Moseley & North Mids), 8 Rob Baldwin (Wharfedale & Yorkshire), 9 Stefan Liebenberg (Old Albanians & Hertfordshire), 10 Rory Teague (Blackheath & Gloucestershire), 11 Phil Chesters (Ealing & Devon), 12 Steve Hamilton (Unattached & Yorkshire), 13 Chris Briers (Fylde & Lancashire), 14 Jack Smales (Nevers & Northumberland), 15 Peter Hodgkinson (Ealing & Cheshire). Replacements: 16 Joe Bonner (Blackheath & Kent), 17 Jared Saunders (Saracens & Hertfordshire), 18 David Dickinson (Tynedale & Northumberland), 19 Gareth Rawlings (Fylde & Lancashire), 20 Harry Peck (Tynedale & Northumberland), 21 Toby Howley-Berridge (Unattached & Eastern Counties), 22 Jim Wigglesworth (Hull & Yorkshire). T: Teague, Hamilton, Briers, Johnson. P: Teague 2. C: Teague 4.

[londonexile]

Well done Ben, hope your enjoying the unique experience and that you bring back your good form and that it continues into next season!