TOKYO, 7 July 2003 — England A outclassed Asian champions Japan here yesterday scoring nine tries on their way to a 55-20 victory in a rugby union World Cup tune-up match at the National Stadium.
The visitors opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Japan lost a line-out some 10 meters from the English try line, allowing a swift counterattack which ended in prop Michael Worsley going over for a try.
England took over from there with scrum-half Martyn Wood adding two tries in the 14th and 21st minutes, and full-back Iain Balshaw two others in the 34th and 65th minutes. Tries also came from prop William Green, left-winger James Simpson-Daniel, center Benedict Johnston and substitute Neal Hatley, while standoff David Walder kicked five conversions. Japan’s standoff Keiji Hirose missed a penalty after 11 minutes but opened the home side’s account with a successful kick six minutes later, making the score 3-12.
They added a try when center Hideki Namba touched down in the 24th minute after the Japanese pack won a maul five meters from the English line. Hirose converted to make the score 10-17.
At 38-13, the Japanese tried to hit back, dominating for several minutes. But vital mistakes in the 22-meter area let them down, notably a knock-on and a missed pass. The home side grabbed a late try through substitute Takeshi Yoshida three minutes into injury time. Hirose completed the scoring with a conversion.
