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Wales U20 off to winning start

Wales U20 off to winning start

Wales Under 20 got their RBS 6 Nations campaign off to a winning start with a 26-9 victory over Italy at Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay.

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After an impressive showing in last year’s tournament, this was a positive display from a Wales side which featured 10 debutants at this level. The home outfit dominated possession and territory throughout the encounter, their defensive effort helping to shut out the Azzurri attack.

James Benjamin and scrum half Tom Williams enjoyed notable evenings, as did Cross Keys flanker Scott Matthews, who was named man of the match for an all action display. Matthews carried well in attack and never stopped tackling but it was tries from Benjamin and wing Joshua Adams which guided Wales home.

Adams’ finish and two penalties from fly half Ethan Davies gave Wales an 11-9 interval lead, three penalties from Philip Buscema Italy’s response.

But in the second half, the visitors failed to score another point as Wales dominated after the break. The home side could, and perhaps should, have won by more but Benjamin’s score and the boot of Davies put them well clear.

Dafydd Howells added a third try in the final minute to put gloss on a positive Welsh showing.

A strong start from the Italians had seen them move into an early 3-0 lead. No. 8 Frederick Ruzza went close after Wales failed to claim an up and under and only a last-ditch tackle from full back Afon Bagshaw kept their line intact. Italian fly half Buscema soon opened the scoring with a simple penalty but after a slow start, Wales woke up.

From turnover ball inside the Italy half, scrum half Williams spread the ball right with Adams finishing off an overlap in the right corner. Davies pushed the touchline conversion wide but soon added a penalty to put Wales into an 8-3 lead.

Despite the wet weather in north Wales, Byron Hayward’s men remained determined to spread the ball wide. Adams came close to his second after making another clean break and with Elliot Dee and Matthews showing up well in the loose, Wales started to look dangerous.

Williams continued to be busy around the ruck but after Davies and Buscema exchanged penalties, the clock ticked past the 30 minute mark with Wales 11-6 ahead. Both sides were now looking to kick for territory, Italy mainly due to the lack of an alternative, but despite looking second best in attack, the men in blue refused to go away. Buscema’s third penalty narrowed the deficit to two points and after Howells knocked on close to the Italian line, Wales had to settle for a narrow interval advantage.

The second 40 began with Wales pounding the Italian line, Howells and prop Callum Lewis both going close to a second home try. Wales had all the territory, camping themselves in the Italian half, but another score failed to arrive. Italy refused to lie down defensively though, one huge hit on Howells showing their commitment.

A try may not have been forthcoming but with such dominance, Wales were tiring the Italian defence. Davies’ third penalty extended the lead before the visitors finally cracked. Phase after phase of Wales pressure ended with Benjamin diving over and when Davies added the extra two, the score line looked a lot more comfortable from the home side’s perspective.

With a clear advantage on the hour, Hayward introduced a number of new faces with scrum half Connor Lloyd on for the impressive Williams. Luke Price soon came on to replace Davies at outside half and the number of replacements certainly affected the game.

The contest may have gone quiet but Wales’ start to the second half – they had 78 per cent possession at one stage – had put them well on top. And with their defence still holding up well, led by the combative Matthews, Wales didn’t look like conceding a try.

Going into the final 10 minutes, Wales continued to see most of the ball and Howells’ late effort saw them emerge as deserved winners.

Scorers:
Wales:
Tries: Adams, Benjamin, Howells; Convs: Davies; Pens: Davies (3)
Italy: Pens: Buscema (3)

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