WALES UNDER 18 24, SCOTLAND UNDER 18 0
Rhys Williams’ Under 18 team rounded off a great weekend for Welsh national sides as they maintained the winning ways of the Under 20s, Women and Senior XV by notching a Six Nations victory of their own against the Scots.
The bad weather meant the game had to be switched from Ebbw Vale to Aberavon and the powerful Scottish side, which had beaten Italy the previous week, dominated the early exchanges.
“They were big and physical and it took us most of the first-half to come to terms with their forwards. They bullied us at the breakdown and made life difficult for us,” said Wales coach Simon King.
“But I was very pleased with the way we adapted in the second half and we eventually ran out convincing winners. They bombed some good chances in the first half and we lost a couple in the second, but we still ended with three tries and none conceded.”
Playing into the elements in the opening period the Welsh ran in a try through Ospreys wing Christian Phillips to take the lead. Outside half Matthew Jarvis added the conversion.
In the second half, the Ospreys No 10 converted two more tries and also kicked a penalty in between to steer Wales through to a victory that puts them in good heart ahead of their Six Nations tournament in Cork this month.
Dragons wing Adam Hughes grabbed the second try and then Ospreys centre Ben John rounded off a brilliant break by his regional co-centre Ashley Beck for the third.
Having lost to England in their opening international of the season, Williams’ men travel to Ireland to face the host nation, Italy and France to complete their Six Nations assignments.
The only concern for King is the fitness of wing Phillips, who had to leave the field with a shoulder injury.
Scorers: Wales: Tries; C Phillips, A Hughes, B John; Cons: M Jarvis 3; Pen: M Jarvis. Wales U18s Tries: K Phillips, A Hughes, B John Cons: M Jarvis (3) Pen: M Jarvis Wales U18s v Scotland (Mar 16) James Loxton (St David’s Coll & Blues) (rep Rhys Downes (Rhydfelen & Blues) 39’); Kristian Phillips (Neath College &Ospreys)(rep Adam Hughes St Josephs HS Newport & Dragons) 30’), Ashley Beck (Neath Coll & Ospreys), Ben John (Swansea Coll & Ospreys), Ieuan Coombes (Gwynlliw & Dragons); Matthew Jarvis (Neath Coll & Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets); Dan Watchurst (Filton Coll & Dragons) (rep Ceri Davies (Olchfa CS & Ospreys) 68’), Rhys Williams (Pontypridd RFC & Blues) (capt) (rep G Jenkins (Swansea College & Ospreys) 68’), Simon Gardiner (Pembs Coll & Scarlets) (rep Stewart Maguire (St Joseph’s HS & Dragons) 50’) Tom Crandon (Cross Keys Coll & Dragons) (rep Lloyd Peers (Bridgend Coll & Ospreys) 52’), James King (Ellesmere Coll & Scarlets), David Francis (Twyford C of E School & Dragons) (rep Morgan Allen (Croesyceiliog CS & Dragons) 64'), James Thomas (Llandovery Coll & Dragons), Rhys Jenkins (Newport HSOB RFC & Dragons)
Six Nations Tournament in Cork (Ireland) Wed 26 March England v Italy, Wales v Ireland, Scotland v France Sat 29 March England v France, Wales v Italy, Scotland v Ireland Tues 1 April v England v Scotland, Wales v France, Ireland v Italy
