UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL

After last week’s defeat the Welsh under 19s, with 16 of the 17 players coming from the talented South Wales Scorpions under-19 side, put things straight with a dominating 86-12 win over Ireland.

With both teams coming into the game of the back of defeats, each were looking to put things straight with a win at the Glyndwr University Racecourse before the senior teams clashed in their European Championship game later in the day.

Wales opened the scoring with a try from Zak Williams who converted it himself to give Wales a 6-0 lead. They extended their advantage through a good kick and chase which put pressure on Ireland who spilt the ball, Wales took the good position and Daniel Maiden charged over to score. 

Wales were in again after a great break down the wing from Marcus Webb who stepped inside to make it 16-0. Defence was then the order from Wales as they kept out two consecutive sets on their line.  But from the next attack, Wales found numbers out wide and Marcus Webb went over for his second a great conversion from the line by Zak Williams meant Wales led 22-0. 

On the 20 minute mark Wales were in again as a great break saw Zak Williams cross under the sticks. He converted his own try and extend the lead to 28 points. Wales continued their pressure on the Irish with Wales’ Marcus Webb who went  over for his third after another break down the wing saw the ball shifted inside for Wales to go over making it 34-0 with the conversion.

The next try was when Wales picked up a spilt ball by Ireland and shifted the ball out wide for Ben Jones to run over. Another break down the wing found Shane Lee who found the gap to go through and make it 44-0 at the break.

Ben Jones (pictured) then scored his second of the afternoon and Zak Williams converted to take Wales onto 50-0. Their pressure soon led to a Joe Symons which complete with another conversion from the line saw Wales extend their lead to 56-0.

Zak Williams then completed a great move by Wales to go over for his third of the afternoon. He converted his own try and Wales led 62-0.  A good string of passes sent Morgan Knowles over for Wales’ 12^th try. Williams converted and Wales led 68-0. Wales were then over again but after consulting the linesman no try was the decision and play continued. 

But they weren’t to be denied. Wales put an Ireland attack into touch and a quick break from the resulting scrum sent Morgan Knowles over for his second of the afternoon. This was followed by another quick attack from Knowles who put Wales into a good position. The ball was then shifted out wide and Gethan Lloyd went over. Williams converted and Wales lead 80-0.

In the last ten minutes, Ireland took advantage of a tiring Wales side and put pressure on the Welsh line which paid off and Emmet Banahan went over under the sticks. He then added another for his and Irelands’ second of the afternoon with a near replica try. 

However Wales ended the game with Knowles completing his hat-trick with Williams’ goal taking the score to 86. Overall a very strong performance from the young Welsh side saw them complete a strong victory.

WALES U19
Ben Jones, Joseph Symons, Paul Edwards, Marcus Webb, Gethyn Lloyd, Morgan Knowles, Curtis Davies, Rhys Davies, Zak Williams, Jordan Thomas, Morgan Jeffries, Dan Maiden, Connor Davies. Subs: Rhys Brownsell, Shane Lee, Liam Maule, Harry Boots 

IRELAND U19
Adam Brodigan, Daryl Hand, Conor Redmond, Matt Connolly, Sean Hayes, Cian Harrington, Adam Anderson, Ryan Healy, Michael Russell, Jake Wall, Craig Black, Adam Carberry, Emmet Banahan. Subs: Mark Bishop, Cathal Duffy, Darren Madden, Cathal Downey