Ahead of them were clashes with Ireland and England, and they took the lead in both games. In the end, though, they were defeated in both and now face a 70-minute match with Italy on Saturday, 6 April to complete their campaign.
Wales 5 – 14 Ireland
Wales started strongly and exerted enough pressure on the Irish for them to pick up a yellow card in the eighth minute to Erin McConalogue. Quick as a flash, the home side made their numerical advantage pay as centre Hannah Lane powered over for the opening try of the game after co centre Katie Johnson put her into a hole after some quick and precise passing.
It was a great start for the girls in red, although Saran Jones’ conversion missed the target from a good position. The momentum shifted over the next 15 minutes and the Irish converted their pressure into points when outside half Abby Healy dummied her way over for a try she also converted.
That gave Ireland the lead and they defended it strongly. Full back Sophie Cullen twice denied the Welsh attack with a brilliant, try saving tackle on Lane that stopped her from getting away a pass 30 metres out that would have led to a simple run in.
Then Cullen hauled down Jones in full flight before turning over the ball to once again save the day. Had either of those clear cut chances been turned into points by Wales there could have been a different outcome.
With the game poised on a knife-edge, Ireland finished on a high with the clock in the red when hooker Bronagh Boggan forced her way over at the posts. Healy’s added the simple conversion with the last kick of the match.
Wales 5 – 14 Ireland
Scorers: Wales: Try: Hannah Lane; Ireland: Tries: Abby Healy, Bronagh Boggan; Cons: Abby Healy 2Wales U18 (v Ireland) Saran Jones; Marnie George, Hannah Lane, Katie Johnson, Leah Stewart; Rhiannon Griffin, Lily Hawkins; Stella Orrin, Shanelle Williams, Elan Jones, Tilly Vucaj, Angel Band, Begw Ffransis, Milly Geering, Evie Gill (captain)
Reps: Tia Jones, Crystal James, Evie Hill, Alaw Pyrs, Branwen Metcalfe, Seren Lockwood, Hanna Marshall, Isla McMullen
Wales 14 – 26 England
Oh, what might have been! Having sped into a 14-point lead in as many minutes the young Welsh side became masters of their own downfall as they picked up three yellow cards and made crucial errors that allowed England to stage the biggest recovery of the Festival.
Everything started well as livewire scrum half scampered over for her second try of the Festival after only two minutes. Hanna Marshall added the extras and Wales were off to a flying start.
Better was to follow 10 minutes later when Ffion Davies rode her luck before racing 40 metres to the posts for a second try that was once again improved by Marshall. Centre Nia Fajeyisan broke the line to free Davies on half-way and the wing then kicked ahead.
The ball hit an English defender before bouncing back into Davies’ arms to give her a clear run to the line. If that was the high point of the Festival to date for Branwen Metcalfe’s side, they were quickly brought down to earth.
From the re-start, Wales secured the ball and tried to break out of their 22. Marshall attempted a risky overhead pass when she was collared and it was picked off by England hooker Lucy Simpson who raced to the line for a try that Natalie Evans converted.
Five minutes later, with the pressure mounting, Wales conceded a penalty try on their line for hands in the ruck. They also lost No 8 Metcalfe to the sin-bin.
No sooner had Metcalfe returned than Hannah Lane was show a yellow card. With time running out, England made the most of their extra player as prop Ruby Winstanley powered over from close range to edge her side in front for the first time.
Evans once again added the extras before Wales lost prop Evie Hill to the sin-bin. That enabled England to finish with a flourish as flying wing Abigail Pritchard crossed in the right corner.
England 26 – 14 Wales
Scorers: England: Tries: Lucy Simpson, Pen Try, Ruby Winstanley, Abigail Pritchard; Cons: Natalie Evans 2Wales U18 (v England) Katie Johnson; Hannah Lane, Nia Fajeyisan, Isla McMullen, Ffion Davies; Hanna Marshall, Seren Lockwood; Crystal James, Tia Jones, Evie Hill, Alaw Pyrs, Robyn Davies, Jorja Aiono, Lola Bogerd-Mitchell, Branwen Metcalfe (captain)
Reps: Shanelle Williams, Stella Orrin, Elan Jones, Angel Band, Evie Gill, Lily Hawkins, Rhiannon Griffin, Marnie George
