Australian Students 10 v 24 Great Britain Students
Third Academic Ashes Test,
Cairns, Australia

The Great Britain Students have won the Academic Ashes after a stunning 24-10 victory in the third and final test match.

The stunning triumph helped secure the series 2-0 and in doing so the side became the first ever Great Britain team to win the Ashes on Australian soil.

“All of the squad have stuck together on a long tour and have come through as champions,” said a delighted head coach Paul Fletcher.

“Over the years we’ve had some real disappointments and near misses but that has just made this win all the sweeter.”

After drawing the first test 20-20 and then winning a hard fought second encounter 10-4, the tourists knew they had to just avoid defeat to write their names in the history books.

The game didn’t go quite according to plan as Australia took the lead with an early try, however, the tourists dug deep and responded with a Josh Parle try to level matters.

With Great Britain pressing the opposition line the scrum half was quickest to react to a clever grubber kick from half back partner Nigel Scott to touchdown, whilst Scott improved matters to make it 6-6 at half time.

With coach Paul Fletcher’s instructions ringing in their ears Great Britain returned to the field determined not to pass up the opportunity of making history.

Winger Crawford Matthews crossed for the first points of the second period after great handling from Jack Sampson and Chris McNamara had created the space, with the Hull University flyers try giving GB the lead for the first time.

Despite missing the difficult conversion Scott made no mistake with a penalty minutes later and as the game entered the final quarter time was running out for the hosts.

After soaking up some pressure with a tremendous defensive effort Great Britain worked their way downfield and were again rewarded.

A towering up high kick caused panic in the Australian defence and centre Chris McNamara was quickly on the scene as he scooped up the loose ball to race over and spark great celebrations from the tourist’s bench.

With the contest almost over Australia looked to have conceded defeat and their worst fears were finally confirmed as man of the match Jimmy Keinhorst produced a sensational piece of skill as he re-gathered his own kick to race away and score from 70 metres.

Scott was again on target with the extras to make it 24-6 and although Australia did have the final word with a late try, history was already assured.


GB
1 Jack Sampson (Leeds Met)
2 Jimmy Keinhorst (Leeds Met)
3 John Paxton (Leeds Met)
4 Chris McNamara (Loughborough)
5 Crawford Matthews (Hull)
6 Nigel Scott (Leeds Met)
7 Josh Parle (Leeds City College)
8 Michael Sykes (Leeds Met)
9 Lee Hudson (Edge Hill)
10 Liam Gilchrist (UCLAN)
11 Sam Scott (Loughborough)
12 Kris Hodson (Leeds Met) (Captain)
13 Mark Wool (Leeds Met)
Subs
14 Jordan Rice (Hull)
15 John Horton (Leeds Met)
16 Andy Marsh (Manchester Met)
17 Iwan Brown (Glyndwr)

Scorers
T Parle, Matthews, McNamara, Keinhorst
G Scott (4)

HT: 6-6

MOM: Jimmy Keinhorst