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LONDON - The England Saxons brought a glimpse of light into an otherwise dark day for the world champions when they beat New Zealand Maori 17-13 to win the Churchill Cup at Twickenham on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, England's first team - albeit shorn of almost 40 unavailable first-choice players, were thumped for the second successive week by South Africa, losing 55-22 in the second test in Pretoria.
The Saxons, effectively an England fourth team, had beaten Scotland A and the United States to reach the final against the Maori, who beat Ireland A and Canada as they sought to retain the title they won in Canada last year.
A tight, highly physical encounter was decided in England's favour when lock Tom Croft broke clear to score their third try five minutes from the end.
- REUTERS
