Wales women picked up their first-ever Test victory with a comprehensive home win over Italy in Cross Keys, in European Championship B North. Bridgend winger Brittony Price led the way with three of their eleven tries as the hosts dominated the second period, having led 20-0 at the break.

Head coach Tom Brindle commented: “We came with an intent to stick to our gameplan, which we did for 70 minutes, so I’m very happy. The side did what they needed to do and delivered a really good team performance.”

Brindle named two debutants, Anne-Marie Sayle and Katie Carr joining her twin sister Rosie, who opened the scoring in the corner in the fourth minute.  Eleri Michael doubled the lead on eight minutes but it took until just before the half hour for Wales to get their third try, Emily Hughes crossing and London Broncos team-mate Kathryn Salter adding the extras.
 
Price went 80 metres just before the break for her first, Fern Davies racing over just after it. Italy had a couple of chances, their best when captain Virginia Pinarello went close and laid the ball off to Rebecca Pantaleoni who dropped it as she was diving for the line.

Price completed her treble, sandwiching a score by skipper Bryonie King. Joeann McGuire went 40 metres for her try, hooker Carys Marsh and Castleford’s Sayle completing the scoring and Salter finishing with eight goals.

Italy, in their second Test, gave debuts to three players, Silvia Gai, Ludovica Gurrieri and Giuliana Zaffarana and twice came close to scoring in the second half. Full back Pantaleoni said: “It’s good to be on a European platform and to improve with each game we need more practise. We all come from different types of backgrounds, we’re developing and we’ve been doing some really good work.”