Barton’s haul fails to prevent second defeat

GEORGE Barton scored 15 points but could not prevent England Under-18s slipping to a 26-20 defeat to Wales in the second fixture of the international series in South Africa.

The Gloucester outside-half scored a try to go with 10 points from the boot but England were unable to get ahead as they followed up their opening defeat to France.

Barton was joined in the England side by prop Rowan Mullis and number eight Jack Clement.

Coach Jim Mallinder said: “We went a few points down in the first half, Wales played well and put us under a lot of pressure.

“In the second half we showed real spirit, the finishers who came off the bench made a really good impact and on another day we would have won the game.

“We want the team to improve and develop but we also want them to win but sometimes that doesn’t happen.

England finish the series with a game against South Africa Schools on Saturday.