England too good for second-string

Woodward was unhappy with some erratic decisions

USA A 21-83 England

England routed the USA's A team with a spectacular performance in which they scored 13 tries - but not before coach Clive Woodward had threatened to take his team off the pitch.

There was never any danger to England's unbeaten record on the North American tour after the tourists scored four tries within 11 minutes during the first half.

But Woodward grew increasingly annoyed at the erratic performance of touch-judge Al Klemp.

And 20 minutes into the second half Woodward told Klemp he would abandon the game unless the American official started to pay attention.

I am responsible for those players and people do end up in wheelchairs

  Clive Woodward
England coach

Woodward was defiant about his outburst after the game.

"The two touch-judges were just enjoying the rugby. They are supposed to be there to do a job," he said.

"I was delighted that Steve was the referee and he did a good job. But rugby is a physical sport and it can be dangerous.

"I am responsible for those players and people do end up in wheelchairs.

"We have three neutral officials in North America who are refereeing the Test matches but not the midweek games.

"I was concerned in Canada last week and I don't know why those guys couldn't have been used again."

Regular tries

The outburst livened up what had otherwise been a straightforward afternoon for the tourists.

England took some time to get going, and the USA took an early lead when stand-off Link Wilfley booted home a fourth-minute penalty.

But once England got going, the result was never in doubt, as tries came at regular intervals.

England, playing some glorious running rugby complemented by intelligent support play.

And full-back Tom Voyce did his chances of replacing injured Paul Sampson for Saturday's international with a late hat-trick of tries. Earlier, his series of breaks had seen England sweep into a commanding lead.

Voyce made his pitch for a Test place

Skipper Alex Sanderson was first man over, taking Voyce's inside pass to touch down under the posts.

Voyce's chip shortly afterwards was collected by another Test hopeful, Paul Sackey, and the ball was quickly transferred across the pitch where the third contender, David Rees, galloped home unopposed.

Sackey then put his name on the scoresheet with a 10-minute brace, which came either side of a David Flatman try.

But having scored 33 unanswered points, England suddenly lost their impetus.

They were punished by two tries in as many minutes, both from their own mistakes.

Jone Naqica collected his own chip, before Alex Sanderson's woeful pass was scooped up by Jovesa Naivalu, who raced 70 metres to the line.

Sin bin

Normal service was quickly resumed when Olly Barkley scooted round some tiring American defenders, feeding Voyce for the sixth England try.

After the break, Wilfley reduced the USA's deficit with a pair of penalties, having also missed another two.

But more England tries were on the way.

Nick Walshe strode over from a quick tap and his half-back partner brought up the half-century.

Karl Thompson was sin-binned for an off-the-ball incident, leading to Woodward's outburst.

A man down, USA's part-time squad tired, allowing King and Voyce to grab their second scores and Waters his first.

Voyce completed his hat-trick two minutes from time, with Rees rounding off the rout.

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England: T Voyce, P Sackey, F Waters, O Barkley, D Rees, A King, N Walshe, D Flatman, M Regan, R Nebbett, R Fidler, T Palmer, A Sanderson (cpt), A Hazell, P Sanderson
Replacements: C Fortey, T Woodman, S Thompson, M Wood, P Grayson

USA A: J Naqica, J Keyter, K Thompson, T Gill, J Naivalu, L Wilfley, K Kjar, A McGarry, D Anderson, B Hinz, P Sheridan, E Reed, R ReBell, A Magleby, C Hodgson
Replacements: R Flynn, K Bellue, K Whitcher, P Harpur, M Timoteo, J Bucholz, R Grant

Referee: S Walsh (Nzl)

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