The Australian Schoolboys have edged out their England Academy counterparts 22-18 in the first match of their 2014 Autumn International Academy Series.
In-form Roosters Holden Cup fullback Latrell Mitchell continued his try-scoring spree of the Schoolboys' English tour with two first-half tries, first through a long-range intercept and then with a strong finish close to the line despite the attention of several defenders.
Mitchell's double and an early try to Tevita Cottrell gave the Australians the early ascendancy, before the England Academy hit back through Oliver Davies before half-time.
The hosts closed the gap with a try to Oliver Gildart early in the second term before the Aussie Schoolboys edged clear again, with Brock Lamb setting up a try for a diving Tyrell Fuiaomano.
The England Academy finished strongly with further tries to Gildart and Jordan Adbul, but in the end it was Lamb's goalkicking that made the difference – with the Australian landing three conversions to the England Academy's one.
The teams will face off in another Test match before the Australian Schoolboys conclude their tour with a clash against a France under-19s team in Perpignan.
Australian Schoolboys 22 (Latrell Mitchell 2, Tevita Smith Cottrell, Tyrell Fuimaono tries; Brock Lamb 3 goals) def England Academy 18 (Oliver Gildart 2, Oliver Davies, Jordan Abdul tries; Abdul goal) at Leigh Sports Village.
