WALES and England continued their preparations for the Six Nations Festival in Cork at the end of March with this non-capped game at Sardis Road, Pontypridd yesterday, writes Huw S Thomas.

Both countries used a plethora of players in three periods of play which may have been dubbed a training match but which was hotly contested throughout.

Not too much attention should be paid to the result of such a game involving 50 players - 27 for Wales and 23 for England - but Wales will have to show more urgency before they meet England in a full international at Worcester in five weeks' time.

England were more solid up front and stole a lot of Welsh ball at the breakdown, while behind the scrum they had an excellent general in fly-half Rory Clegg (Barnard Castle).

It was 7-7 after the first period, a try by Neath College wing Liam Powell cancelling out one by impressive England No 8 Rob Milligan (Rugby). Powell's try came after a tap penalty by centre Dan Etteridge, who with his Coleg Sir Gar co-centre looked the liveliest of the home backs.

The try was converted by Neath Port Talbot College fly-half Matthew Jarvis.

Scrum-half Rhys Downes (Rhydfelen) impressed with one 40-metre break, which ran out of support, but England looked better balanced behind the scrum and took some fine defensive work from St David's College full back James Loxton to keep them at bay.

England grew stronger as the game went on and two penalties from Fred Burns (Bath College) and tries from Millfield prop Mako Vunipola and Barnard Castle full-back Tom Catterick left Wales with little to complain about.

Wales U18s: Chris Lewis (Neath PT Coll & Ospreys), James Loxton (St David's Coll & Blues), Ryan Bayliss (Coleg Powys & Ospreys), Liam Powell (Neath PT Coll & Ospreys), Ieuan Coombes (Gwynlliw & Dragons), Kristian Phillips, (Neath Coll & Ospreys), Scott Williams, Daniel Etteridge (both Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets), Matthew Jarvis (Neath PT Coll & Ospreys), Chris Lewis-Pratt (Wellington College & Dragons/ Exiles), Gareth Davies (Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets), Rhys Downes (Rhydfelen & Blues); Stewart Maguire (St Joseph's HS & Dragons), Dan Watchurst (Filton Coll & Dragons/Exiles), Gareth Jenkins (Swansea & Ospreys), Simon Gardiner (Pembs Coll & Scarlets), Trystan Davies (Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets), Rhys Williams (Pontypridd RFC & Blues), Craig Attwell (Cwmcarn HS & Dragons), Joel Galley (Ellesmere Col & Scarlets) (capt), Tom Crandon (Cross Keys Coll & Dragons), Lloyd Peers (Bridgend Coll & Ospreys), Rhys Ruddock (Millfield & Ospreys), Ben Howe (Bryntirion CS & Ospreys), Rhys Jenkins (Newport HSOB RFC & Dragons) James King (Ellesmere Coll & Scarlets), James Thomas (Llandovery Coll & Dragons).