The Wales U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival campaign saw Isla McMullen’s side draw their third game in a row as they tied 24-24 with Ireland.
Their first four games over two days at Wellington College has seen Wales go down to a 43-0 defeat to France before, beating Scotland 21-7 and then drawing 0-0 with both England and Italy.
The final games for each team in the Festival were over 70-minujtes and it took a mere five minutes before prop Crystal James opened the Welsh account with the first of her two tries.
Two minutes later Ireland hit the front when lock Olivia McKinley charged down Ffion Williams’ clearance kick down to score a try which outside half Siofra Hession converted.
James’ second try came from a 30 metre gallop and this time Williams was able to add the extras to give Wales a 12-7 lead.
Lily Foscolo just missed out on adding a third try for Wales when she was bundled into touch as she dived to score and the first half ended with Wales with their noses 12-7 in front.
The Irish came into the game having beaten beat England, Italy and Scotland and lost to France. Flanker Lucia Dickinson had been one of Ireland’s try scorers against the English and six minutes into the second half she crossed at the posts for a try that Hession improved to edge her side ahead.
Back came Wales with a try from replacement scrum half Lily Hawkins who profited from some good approach play from her forwards. Williams’ con version opened up a five point gap for Wales.
The Irish tied things up at 19-19 with a try from Diana Iizekor to leave the game hanging in the balance in the final 10 minutes. Wales though they had won it when replacement hooker Shanelle Williams powered over.
Williams couldn’t hit the target with her conversion attempt and then Erin Jones picked p a yellow card. The Irish pushed for the winner and when Rebecca Cahill claimed their fourth try it was left to replacement Heidi Lyons to kick for glory.
She wasn’t able to add the conversion and so the game ended as an honourable draw.
Wales U18: Megan Jones; Beatrice Morgan, Katie Johnson, Isla McMullen (captain), Lily Foscolo; Ffion Williams, Seren Lockwood; Crystal James, Taufa Tuipulotu, Evie Hill, Jorja Aiono, Tegan Bendall, Charlie Williams, Amelia Bailey, Chiara Pearce
Reps: Shanelle Williams, Georgia Morgan, Ciara Taylor, Erin Jones, Chloe Roblin, Lily Hawkins, Sienna McCormack, Saran Jones