England Saxons deny South Africa A rally in Bloemfontein win
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 10/06/16 8:55pm
England Saxons gave away a 19-point lead before rallying late on to beat South Africa A 32-24 in Bloemfontein.
Alec Hepburn, Semesa Rokoduguni, Dan Robson and Ollie Devoto scored tries for the Saxons, but it was only when Devoto scored a minute from time that victory was assured.
A long-range penalty gave the home side an early lead, but the Saxons impressed over the remainder of the first-half and claimed the lead when Exeter prop Hepburn went over out wide for a try converted by the impressive Danny Cipriani.
Cipriani made it 10-3 with a penalty and booted his second conversion after Rokoduguni scored a superb try, chipping the ball over the defence and running through to collect and touch down.
Saracens centre Nick Tompkins, who set up the first try, collected a second assist when his break ended with Gloucester scrum-half Robson jinking his way over the line.
That score made it 22-3 to the Saxons, but South Africa A came out refreshed in the second half and soon started to eat into the deficit, with Francois Brummer grabbing the first of their tries.
Cipriani extended the lead back out to 15 points with a second penalty - he ended the game with 12 points - but South Africa responded with a close-range try from Piet Van Zyl.
The lead was down to one point with 10 minutes remaining when Sikhumbuzo Notshe finished off a flowing move, but a nervous finale went in England's favour thanks to Devoto's late try, also converted by Cipriani.
