Kieran Wilkinson and Josh Hodge played starring roles as England Under-20s bounced back from heartbreak against Wales to record an impressive victory over Italy at Goldington Road.
Defeated in the final minute in Colwyn Bay last time out, the hosts responded to disappointment in style in Bedford, scoring four tries to claim the bonus point.
Federico Mori and Michele Peruzzo gave Steve Bates’ side an early scare, but fly-half Wilkinson, Tom Seabrook, Ollie Fox and Ollie Sleightholme all crossed to take England up to third place in the table.
BLISTERING OPENING
In an open first quarter, it was the home team that struck the first blow, Seabrook racing onto Wilkinson’s grubber kick to dot down.
But the Italian response to the early setback was instant, Mori scoring a near carbon copy of Seabrook’s effort to reduce the deficit.
With conditions far from favourable and a significant wind to contend with, both sides engaged in an arm wrestle for supremacy in the ensuing minutes, kicking at will in the hope of forcing an error.
Out of nothing, a moment of inspiration from Peruzzo saw the full-back dart his way over and turn the tables on the hosts, but Wilkinson responded in kind with his own piece of magic to hand England a narrow half-time advantage.
Breaking through in midfield, the Sale half-back bamboozled opposition defenders with his neat footwork in the latest indication of his obvious promise.
Out-Fox-ed
Hodge blasted a penalty over from inside his own half after the break as England grabbed the initiative, and scrum-half Fox weaved his way through to pull Bates’ men further clear.
Victory was all-but secured, but the Red Rose pushed in search of the bonus point their play deserved.
That duly came 20 before the end after another scintillating move. A break from midfield eventually saw prop Alfie Petch send the Northampton Saint Sleightholme free with a delightful pass, with Hodge adding the extras.
