Banahan try sets up Saxons triumph

Monday 23rd June 2008, 2:59PM BST.

JERSEYMAN Matt Banahan secured his first international rugby medal on Saturday, scoring England Saxons’ first try in their Churchill Cup triumph over Scotland A in Chicago.

While the England Ist XV were experiencing a torrid time in losing 44-12 away to New Zealand the Saxons XV, the England B-team, were winning 36-19 at Toyota Park – with the former Les Quennevais School student finishing the tournament as top try scorer with six from the three games.

The Saxons thoroughly deserved to win the final, though they had to come twice from behind before asserting their authority on a Scotland’s XV which were often dominant in the scrum.

Afterwards head coach Steve Bates said: ‘This squad has been an absolute pleasure to work with. Today was a great all round team performance. By winning the tournament we’ve achieved what we set out to do and played some great rugby along the way’

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