England Universities got their Student Four Nations campaign underway with a win away in Scotland at the superb setting of Hawick Rugby Club. In grey, but dry conditions England slowly ground down their hosts until they were scoring freely in the final minutes of the game.

It took just one minute for Ben Grindley-Roberts to show and go at the line to open England’s account, with Dickinson adding the easy extras.

Scotland hit back shortly afterwards as Oscar Halsall burrowed his way through from dummy-half, with Tom Grey converting.

Prop Harry Lowery’s dummy saw him go through untouched to restore England’s lead with Dickinson again on target with the boot.

James Leach powered onto a short pass to open his account, with Dickinson adding the extras, before Grindley-Roberts’ even more outrageous dummy fooled the Scots defence and gave Dickinson another easy kick.

Scotland rallied as Archie Walker dived into the right corner, but Tom Grey couldn’t add the extras from the sideline.

Henry Lenthall collected Will Lintin’s grubber into the deep in-goal area to give England a further try before the break, but Dickinson couldn’t find his target.

After half time, Harry Lowery barged his way through the middle of the field with Dickinson kicking from in front of the posts.

James Leach added his second with a powerful run shortly before completing his hattrick having collected the ball from the kick off. Dickinson kicking both conversions.

England were now at a canter, as Brogan Turner went in from long range, with Dickinson on target, and Alex Edun posted a carbon copy try on the opposite side of the field shortly afterwards, though Dickinson missed in the growing wind.

Captain Leon Stewart adding a try for himself has he burst away from forty-metres out, with Dickinson on target, before prop Fin Hay also went in from long range, his legs just managing to keep him going as he shrugged off defenders to score and give Dickinson a further easy shot on goal.

Scotland were reduced to 12 men as Scott Shaw was dispatched to the sin bin for lying on in the tackle, giving England a further advantage as the game moved into its final stages.

Alex Edun found his way in on the left edge again, Dickinson converting, before Henry Lenthall had the final word as he powered through the middle of the field, Dickinson’s conversion being the final act of the game.

England’s game is against Ireland on Saturday 6^th June at Halton Farnworth Hornets, with them also facing UK Armed Forces at the same venue on Wednesday 10^th June in their final RFL President’s Cup game. Scotland will face Wales for their round 2 clash at Merthyr RFC on Sunday 7th June. 

Scotland Students 10
Tom Grey, Archie Walker, Josh Kerrigan, Blake Millar, Scott Shaw, Ben Neave, Cam Lewis, Fin Clarke, Oscar Halsall, Jordan Duncan, Oli Inch, George Kinnard, Jacob Grierson.
Interchanges: Will Hunt, George Murray, Gabe Lewis, Jak Quinn.

Tries: Oscar Halsall (7), Archie Walker (29)
Goals: Tom Grey 1/2

Sin Bin (71) – Scott Shaw – Professional Foul

England Universities 80
Jake Dickinson, Deusjes Nzage, Leon Stewart, Finn Dagnall, Brogan Turner, Ben Grindley-Roberts, Jamie O’Keeffe, Harry Lowery, Will Lintin, James Leach, Josh Shackleton, Ollie Paterson, Hayden Todd.
Interchanges: Noah Tyson, Fin Hay, Henry Lenthall, Max Nissinen-Le, George Moffitt, Alex Edun, James Boyles.

Tries: Ben Grindley-Roberts (1, 18), Harry Lowery (9, 42), James Leach (14, 48, 50), Henry Lenthall (39, 79), Brogan Turner (56), Alex Edun (62, 73), Leon Stewart (65), Fin Hay (68), 
Goals: Jake Dickinson 12/14

Referee: Adam Houston (England)