In their opening game of the Women’s Six Nations Summer U20 Series, Wales Women lost 29-10 against Ireland in Ystrad Mynach this afternoon.
This was Branwen Metcalfe’s first game as captain at this level – and she was the only member of the starting XV not to have represented either Gwalia Lightning or Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge.
The young Welsh side in their colourful shirts controlled possession and territory during the opening quarter – but the first time Ireland ventured into the home team’s half, a yellow card was shown to Freya Bell for a high tackle on Robyn O’Connor.
While the centre was in the sin bin, Irish tight-head prop Sophie Barrett managed to open the scoring from a driving maul during her team’s first visit to the Welsh 22.
By the time Bell returned to the field of play, Ireland had doubled their lead – with O’Connor finishing a slick move by the backs to cross in the corner for her country’s second try.
Wales international flanker Gwennan Hopkins had to leave the field after almost half an hour of play – with Chiara Pearce coming on as her replacement. With her first touch, Pearce managed to release Savannah Picton-Powell to sprint unopposed to the try line.
As the clock turned red at the end of the first half, the Irish believed that their driving maul had created a try for number eight Jemima Adams Verling – but the TMO decided that prop Ella Burns had infringed in the lineout.
As a result, Ireland’s lead at the break was just five points.
Ninety seconds after the restart, Adams Verling was convinced that she had finally claimed her try – but for a second time, the score was chalked off due to an earlier infringement in the lineout.
As light rain began to fall in Ystrad Mynach, Ireland continued to apply pressure and they practically secured their victory when winger Hannah Clarke scored her team’s third try after a long period of grunt and discipline from the forwards.
A memorable try from Seren Singleton – after nearly an hour of play – gave Liza Burgess’s squad a glimmer of hope, but Jemima Adams Verling was determined to cross the whitewash today.
With a quarter of an hour remaining, the number eight got her reward, securing a bonus point for her team in the process, and fly-half Caitriona Finn succeeded with the conversion.
With the final play of the game, Ireland claimed their fifth try of the afternoon as substitute Ellie O’Sullivan-Sexton pounced on the loose ball before grounding under the posts. Finn duly added the extras.
Wales displayed several strong aspects of their play during this match – but in the end, the power of the Irish forward pack laid the solid foundations for their deserved victory.
Wales’ second of their three games in the Series will see them face Scotland in Ystrad Mynach on Friday the 11th at 6pm.
Following the final whistle, Wales captain Branwen Metcalfe said: “We’re disappointed to have lost that game. We must compliment Ireland on their victory – but we have a few simple fixes which can be made in time for our game against Scotland on Friday.”