GROUP 1 - GAME 3
Wales overcame torrential conditions and a horror start to make the rugbyleague.com European Cup Final in Bridgend next Sunday, where they will face Scotland. Iestyn Harris’ men were 12 points down at the end of an opening quarter dominated by the Irish but hit back to post eight tries by eight different players and score 42 unanswered points.

The 13-man code returned to Pontypridd and, for an hour, the Dragons served up some terrific rugby for the animated home crowd to defy the slippery, muddy conditions. With stand in skipper, prop Jordan James, setting a terrific lead after Ben Flower was ruled out, the young Welshmen rallied with teenage full back Elliot Kear and busy hooker Neil Budworth other standouts.

Yet it looked all so different after Andy Kelly’s Irish settled well at the start and looked set to spoil the Welsh hopes of silverware in Bridgend next week. Scrum half James Coyle’s break was followed by some impressive ball movement out wide for Liam Finn to send in debutant Marcus St Hilaire in the eighth minute. Pat Richards converted and it got even better for the visitors when they decided to run a power play on the last tackle, James Haley freeing Wigan star Richards whose superb chip back onto the inside saw Finn go over.

Ireland’s momentum was lost on the back of consecutive penalties, Budworth sending loose forward Ian Webster on a superb run to the posts to get the Welsh up and running. Lloyd White converted and then, two minutes before half time, he sent Lee Williams powering through tackles to draw it level at the break.

The Welsh scored a terrific try to take the lead for the first time two minutes into the second half. James made the break in midfield and slipped a superb ball to Christiaan Roets who superbly positioned Rhys Williams into the corner. More indiscipline from the Irish, who became increasingly frustrated with French referee Thierry Alibert, in their own quarter set the position for clever hands to send Ashley Bateman over in the corner.

Two minutes later, more pressure on the Irish line saw Geriant Davies drive over from close range and he was given the try by video referee Ben Thaler on the basis of benefit of the doubt as he slid across the whitewash. James gained his due reward with the crucial try that put his side three scores ahead just after the hour, again crashing over from close range by the post as the Irish defence on their own line began to melt.

In the final quarter hour Ian Watson’s break sent the cleverly linking Kear across and Gil Dudson made the most of a tap penalty when he was unstoppable from close in, White landing his fifth goal. Ireland will play a ranking game against Lebanon at the Brewery Field next Sunday as part of a triple header Finals Day.

STATS PROVIDED BY OPTA

WALES
Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams, Matt Thomas, Christian Roets, Ashley Bateman, Lloyd White, Ian Watson, Jordan James (c), Neil Budworth, Gil Dudson, Chris Beasley, Geraint Davies, Ian Webster, Lee Williams, Ross Divorty, Matt Barron, Lewis Mills

IRELAND
Karl Fitzpatrick, Tim Bergin, Marcus St Hilaire, James Haley, Pat Richards, James Coyle, Liam Finn, Ryan Boyle, Bob Beswick (c), Luke Ambler, Sean Hesketh, Dave Allen, Tyrone McCarthy, Wayne Kerr, Paddy Barcoe, Mike Hayley, Stevie Gibbons