#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11 More from the RFL about the Academy International at Leigh on Saturday

Entry 28, 2nd December 2010

Being on the RFL press list gets you some interesting stories sent through and one such story that landed in my inbox today featured England Academy skipper Adam Milner. The Castleford hooker is a top prospect and will be looking to break into the Tigers first team on a regular basis before too long. Before then however, he has the little matter of leading the England Academy team out against the Aussie Schoolboys.

Here is a copy of the press release:

England Academy captain Adam Milner is relishing the opportunity to lead his country from the front when they face the Australian Schoolboys in the first of a two Test series at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, December 4. (K.O 2:00pm)

Milner will join a list of past England Academy captains which includes England’s recent Four Nations captain James Graham. Graham’s international teammates Sam Burgess and Luke Robinson are just a selection of other players who have recently represented the England Academy side before progressing to senior level and Milner is hoping to follow their footsteps.

“It’s a great privilege for me to be named as captain of the England side,” said Milner. “It’s also a bit of a surprise. I’ve never really been a captain before but I’m really honoured to be given the captains role and I can’t wait to lead the boys out to face the Schoolboys.”

“If I can be anything like some of the players who have previously played for the Academy then I’d be delighted. To be mentioned in the same breath as guys like Burgess and Graham is an honour for me, but I know I have a long way to go before I can be considered in their class. But it’s a great confidence boost to know so many academy players have gone on to become England players.”

On the eve of the Academy's first Test against the Australian Schoolboys, Milner and his squad know they have the opportunity to prove themselves against their counterparts from Down Under and he says there is a confident mood within the Academy camp.

“Training so far has been going good,” said the Castleford Tigers player. “We’ve worked hard at getting the squad to blend together and the team spirit now is fantastic.

“We’re expecting the games against the Australians to be very tough and we’ve heard rumours about the players coming over here, but we've been studying their team to see what exactly we’re going up against and what we need to do.

“We’ve got some very talented players in this side and I’m confident that we can perform well on the day and get the result that we all want.”

Tickets for the England Academy versus Australian Schoolboy on Saturday, December 4 at Leigh Sports Village (K.O 2:00pm) can be purchased on the day and cost £3.

-ends-

SL XV Saturday TV Game - Castleford 20 Hull Kingston Rovers 24

Hull Kingston Rovers fought back from eight points down to win a thrilling Super League game at the Jungle.


Castleford Tigers started brightly when Michael Wainwright ran in after three minutes. Six minutes later the Tigers grabbed another try when Brett Sherwin's kick got through the defence and Shaun Ainscough dribbled past Shaun Briscoe to claim the first of an eventual hat-trick. Joe Westerman converted and Castleford led 10-0.

Rovers were rarely in the game during the opening 20 minutes and it took an excellent 40-20 from Scott Murrell to get them moving. From the possession Hull KR got within sight of the tryline and only good defence stopped them before Murrell nipped over by the side of the posts. Michael Dobson converted and then latched onto a Chaz I'Anson kick after 28 minutes. Ainscough saw a try disallowed before halftime but Rovers held a narrow advantage.

Three minutes into the new half Ryan Hudson, Sherwin and Ryan McGoldrick combined for Ainscough's second before good centre play from James Evans saw the on-loan Wigan winger claim his third.

Cue the Hull KR fightback. First a Dobson kick to in-goal was missed by Kris Welham and touched down by Ben Cockayne after Ainscough flyhacked at the ball. This allowed the halfback to convert. With fifteen minutes remaining there was everything to play for.

Ainscough was forced to put the ball dead after 71 minutes and the ensuing drop out set the position for the controversial game winner.

Prop forward Liam Watts was the scorer after another Dobson kick riccocheted off a couple defenders. Watts appeared to lose control but after consulting the video referee, the try was awarded and Dobson kicked his fourth goal.

Castleford had a couple of late chances when Evans was tackled close to the line and then in the last minute the win was confirmed for Rovers after Mitchell Sargent knocked on 20 metres out following some sparkling offloads.

CASTLEFORD: Tries: Ainscough 3, Wainwright. Goals: Westerman 2.

HULL KR: Tries: Murrell, Dobson, Cockayne, Watts. Goals: Dobson 4.

Referee: Mr P Bentham

SL XV 19/02/2010 - BRADFORD 41 CASTLEFORD 22

With both teams looking to put last weekend's disappointing results behind them, this was always going to be an interesting game at Grattan Odsal. Five days ago, the Bulls crashed to a big 38-6 defeat at home to St Helens with only Matt Orford troubling the scorers while 24 hours earlier a late charge from Warrington and Richie Myler in particular saw Castleford defeated at the Jungle.

As it turned out, Bradford returned to form at the third attempt, running in seven tries against their plucky rivals.

Former Leeds Rhinos prop Nick Scruton opened the score after 4 minutes with a strong and skilful 20 metre run to the try line that took him past two tacklers before a neat bit of footwork saw him evade Tigers fullback Ryan McGoldrick.

A few minutes later a second try fell Bradford's way when outstanding general Matt Orford kicked across field.Steve Menzies climbed higher than the Castleford defender and the veteran Australian put a brilliant pass out for Rikki Sheriffe to touch down at the corner.

Rangi Chase hauled Castleford back into contention with a kick that led to Michael Shenton claiming a try in the corner but Elliott Whitehead went over from Heath L'Estrange's pass and the Bulls replied a second time with a move as crisp as the night. Menzies combined with Paul Sykes and Brett Kearney finished from 30 metres for Orford to goal.

Craig Huby fashioned a try for Richard Owen which allowed Joe Westerman to convert from the touchline but the final word of the first half was with Orford who dropped a goal with seconds remaining.

Castleford started the second half well but when Dave Halley cleared his lines the Bulls marched ominously downfield. The Tigers then lost Richard Owen to a leg injury that was later confirmed as a break.

Finally 18 minutes into the second half, the first points arrived when Bradford went in for their fifth try. Orford fed Sykes who kicked forward for Sheriffe. He sidefooted inside for Halley to ground after some nifty ball control of his own. A disguised pass from Orford then unlocked the defence for a second Kearney try before two scores by Castleford closed the gap. Chase and McGoldrick combined to send Steve Snitch sailing over and Chase was again at the hub of things with a kick to the posts that bounced up for Ryan Hudson to ground.

Industrious Jamie Langley worked his socks off all evening and helped put Bradford in Castleford territory before Sykes had the final word for Bradford, taking Kearney's splitting pass. Although Orford couldn't convert, he kicked six conversions in total to loft the score to 41-22 at the final hooter.

Bradford (25) 41

Tries: Sykes, Whitehead, Kearney 2, Sheriffe, Halley, Scruton

Goals: Orford 6

Drop Goals: Orford

Castleford (12) 22

Tries: Hudson, Owen, Snitch, Shenton

Goals: Westerman 3

Attendance: 8,019

SL XV – CASTLEFORD 16 WARRINGTON 28 13/02/2010

In a tough game at the Jungle, Warrington eventually emerged victorious. The Wolves came back from a 10-0 deficit midway through the first half and managed to stay ahead of their opponents for the final 25 minutes.

Tigers, who beat Leeds last weekend, made a dream start when smart work from Brent Sherwin brought James Evans running at an angle and he was too strong to stop. Joe Westerman missed the goal but the highly rated youngster added the second Castleford try after Sherwin combined with Ryan McGoldrick.

It was at this point that Warrington upped their game and as has often been the case, Lee Briers was the inspiration. The halfback kicked ahead for himself and as he failed to touch down, Simon Grix showed great desire to get to the ball ahead of the Castleford defender. Briers goaled. Moments later Briers was at it again with an angled kick that caught Michael Wainwright out. Somehow in the rain Chris Riley raced through at full pelt, dived and controlled the ball in one movement for his 6th try of the season. That levelled matters and is remained locked at 10-10 at the break despite a missed penalty from Westerman on the stroke of half-time.

Castleford again made a good start to the second half and a low grubber kick from Sherwin had Richard Mathers making a real mess. Evans toed forward and won the race to claim his second try.

Westerman was then held up over the line in pursuit of his second try and the game turned when Lee Briers picked off a Rangi Chase pass and went 45 metres on the intercept to score.

Although Westerman added a straight-forward penalty to nudge the Tigers in front again by 16-14 it was a perilous lead.

Deep in their own half Castleford were guilty of trying to play a too expansive game in the wet and when the ball came free from Ryan Hudson’s grasp, Richie Myler gathered possession and in a flash raced through to the try line after 59 minutes. Chris Bridge took over kicking duties and his goal opened a 20-16 advantage that was increased by a further two points with a 71st minute penalty.

A couple of minutes later, Warrington were on the attack deep inside the Castleford quarter when a play came back to Briers. He feigned a drop goal attempt before veering left where he linked with Myler and the young scrum-half ran in his second with Bridge confirming a hard fought win with his 3rd goal.

Castleford 16
Tries: Joe Westerman, James Evans 2
Goals: Joe Westerman 2

Warrington 28
Tries: Lee Briers, Richie Myler 2, Chris Riley, Simon Grix
Goals: Lee Briers, Chris Bridge 3