Richie Pugh’s young side are slowly getting to grips with the various nuances of the shorter version of the game but they will leave Vancouver frustrated that they were unable to run down the clock against Ireland in the 9th place semi-final with victory there for the taking.
Having got day two off to a great start with a 19-14 victory over Spain, Wales were hit in the solar plexus when losing to Ireland.
Two first half tries by Callum Williams and Iwan Pyrs Jones, both converted by captain Luke Treharne, gave Wales a 12-0 lead the break. Staunch defence by Wales held Ireland at bay for the first half and excellent work at the breakdown continually frustrated the men in green as they tried to put pace into the game.
Ireland threw everything at Wales in the second half before Terry Kennedy managed to squeeze over to put Ireland back in contention. The Irish continued to hammer away at the Welsh defence, but Wales held firm.
With Ireland pummelling away at the Welsh try-line a defensive penalty was due reward for Treharne’s warriors but with just two minutes remaining in the game, Wales ran the ball out from their own line then coughed up possession. Ireland regathered the ball to eventually work Kennedy over for his second try. Billy Dardis added the easy conversion to put Ireland in front for the first time in the match and they denied Wales any sniff for the remaining two minutes to snatch victory.
The teams will now take a breather before returning to action in Toulouse, France on 20-22 May where Wales have been drawn with Fiji, France and Kenya in Pool B.
