WALLINGFORD RFC’s Jamie Pearson earned a late call-up as England Under 16 North defeated Belgium 46-12 in the BMW Wellington International Festival.

The 16-year-old Abingdon School pupil, who has played for Wallingford since the age of eight, praised the club’s under 16 coach Des Leroy for helping him make the grade.

“I am enormously grateful to Wallingford RFC for the support they have given me and in particular to Des, who has really inspired me,” he said.

Pearson will join Wallingford’s new senior development squad next season.

  • ENGLAND Under 16s defeated their Welsh counterparts 32-26 at Iffley Road on Saturday.

Wales dominated the first half, with tries from Matt Pearce and Rhys Gealy, plus a penalty and conversion from Jack Evans giving them a 15-3 lead – Owain Jones scoring a three-pointer for England.

The home side hit back in style after the break as Alex Munday, Joe Mullis, Alex Mitchell and Conor Dolan all went over and Jones kicked nine points.

Evans added a penalty for Wales and Curtis Povey a late try, but England held on.

  • HENRY Purdy is hoping a loan spell with French club Clermont Auvergne can help him make England’s Under 20 World Championship squad.

The 18-year-old Leicester wing, from Milton-under-Wychwood, has already featured for the Tigers in the LV= Cup this season.

Having featured in three of England’s games during their successful Under 20 Six Nations campaign, Purdy jumped at the chance to continue his education in France.

He hopes to get some game time with Clermont’s under 23 and 21 sides where he can impress the England coaches ahead of June’s championship in Nantes, France.

JUNIOR SCORERS

OBB Colts League Div 1: Bicester 19 (tries P Howard, J Nellis, A Harris; cons D Reynolds 2), Oxford Academy 33 (tries R Cole, J Henderson, N O’Brien, J Stacey, G Tierney; cons Stacey 4).

Under 11: Banbury A 5 (try G Eames-Matthews), Olney A 5.

Under 10: Banbury A 25 (tries O Whiting 3, H Jones, H Machin), Olney A 15; Banbury B 20 (tries G Verinder 2, Q Blythe 2), Olney B 35.