Wigan midfielder Cattermole, still being chased by Sunderland, set up a useful first-half chance for Everton's James Vaughan but the striker opted for an extra touch and the opportunity went begging.
Pearce made several changes in the second half with Arsenal's promising youngster Jack Wilshere, already on the radar of Fabio Capello for the World Cup finals, given just over half-an-hour.
Toon hero at the Hawthorns, Tim Krul, came face to face with his team-mate Andy Carroll with 20 minutes left on the clock.
But the two sides drew a blank 0-0.
HOLLAND U21: Krul, Janmaat, Van Eijden (Bruma 46min), Pieters (Blind 46), Kuiper, Donald (John 63), Fer (Van Der Heijden 46), Barazite, De Jong, Biseswar, Emnes (Anita 63). Booked: Janmaat.
ENGLAND U21: Loach (Fielding 46), Richards (Naughton 58), Gibbs (Bertrand 58), Mancienne, Tomkins, Rodwell (Smalling 58), Stanislas (Sears 83), Cattermole (Carroll 71), Delph (Wilshere 58), Rose, Vaughan (Sturridge 46).