Five Dragons players were in action for Wales at the weekend in the opening round of the Under 18 Five Nations in Italy.
The Welsh team were defeated by an accomplished Ireland side in a tactical battle at Parma as the tournament kicked off.
The Dragons in action included Tom Crandon (Cross Keys College), Adam Jones (Filton College), Rhodri Jones (Llandovery College), Lewis Robling (Ysgol Gyfum Gwynliyw) and Nicky Williams (Filton College).
The Stadio XXV Aprile played host as Ireland won the try count convincingly by 3-0, reflecting their overall dominance in most areas of play, not least the forward battle where the Irish front row impressed.
The second period started well for Wales as the pack showed strength having an impact on the powerful opposition, but behind the scrum the Welsh backs were held in check by a well organised Irish defence that saved several forays down the touchlines.
"Ireland deserved their victory after winning the try count 3-0" said Wales coach Simon King. He added: "The difference was that they were accurate when they had chances. We struggled to put shape in our game.
"The pity is that we had played well prior to this tournament. We now have six days rest before we play Scotland on Saturday" stated the Wales coach.
Ireland garnered the first points with a drop goal by outside half Quinn-McDonagh after the Irish team had put pressure on their Welsh opponents.
Wales indiscipline allowed Ireland to gain a strong field position through a couple of touch finders from Quinn-McDonagh. The enduing line-out gave number 8 Jordi Murphy the opportunity to burst away from the tail of the line-out before handing on to Macken who sent Andrew Conway racing in for a fine try and an 8-0 lead.
Wales came into the game with a calmly slotted penalty from full back Tom Prydie. But from yet another set piece Macken showed his handling skills to assist Conway for his second try, this time converted by right wing Tiarnan O'Halloran.
Ireland looked set to increase their lead when blindside flanker Stephen Leckey made a charge to the line, only to be called back for crossing. This allowed Prydie to kick his second penalty and with half time closing in the full back dispatched his third goal to leave Wales trailing 15-9 at the break.
The interval had immediate effect as Wales gained the confidence to attack. Ireland’s defence, however, withstood the steady assault on the line as they closed out the gaps, but at the expense of a fourth penalty added by Prydie to narrow Ireland’s lead to just three points.
Having survived this siege, Ireland returned to Wales quarters and were rewarded when Alex Kelly slipped through a gap in midfield for a fine set-piece try converted by O'Halloran.
A fifth penalty from the boot of Prydie brought Wales within a converted try of Ireland's score and it seemed that the Welsh youngsters might just pull off a draw with several chances in the closing stages.
First Dale Ford was presented with an interception chance but the centre just failed to grasp the ball and when full back Prydie made a determined run down the right touchline his inside pass failed to reach the supporting runners, leaving Wales left musing what might have been.
Scorers:
Ireland Tries Conway (2), Kelly Con O'Halloran (2) Drop Goal Quinn-Donagh
Wales Pens Prydie (5)
Wales: Tom Prydie (Porthcawl Comp); Luke Williams (Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig), Dale Ford (Strade), Jack Gadd (Filton College), Eli Walker (Swansea College); , Matthew Morgan (Bridgend College), Adam Jones (Filton College); Rowan Jenkins (CSG), Leaun Davies (Treorchy), Rhodri Jones (Llandovery College), Lloyd Peers (Pencoed College) (capt), McCauley Cook (Bridgend College), Edward Siggery (QEHS), Tom Young (Rhydywaun), David Barry (Neath College)
Subs used Nicky Williams (Filton College), George North (Llandovery College), Lewis Robling (Ysgol Gyfum Gwynliyw), Ben Thomas (Bryntirion CS),, Tom Crandon (Cross Keys College), Gareth Harvey (Pencoed College), Lewis Smout (Coleg Powys)
Referee: J van der Marve, Scotland.
Gareth Alred
The Welsh team were defeated by an accomplished Ireland side in a tactical battle at Parma as the tournament kicked off.
The Dragons in action included Tom Crandon (Cross Keys College), Adam Jones (Filton College), Rhodri Jones (Llandovery College), Lewis Robling (Ysgol Gyfum Gwynliyw) and Nicky Williams (Filton College).
The Stadio XXV Aprile played host as Ireland won the try count convincingly by 3-0, reflecting their overall dominance in most areas of play, not least the forward battle where the Irish front row impressed.
The second period started well for Wales as the pack showed strength having an impact on the powerful opposition, but behind the scrum the Welsh backs were held in check by a well organised Irish defence that saved several forays down the touchlines.
"Ireland deserved their victory after winning the try count 3-0" said Wales coach Simon King. He added: "The difference was that they were accurate when they had chances. We struggled to put shape in our game.
"The pity is that we had played well prior to this tournament. We now have six days rest before we play Scotland on Saturday" stated the Wales coach.
Ireland garnered the first points with a drop goal by outside half Quinn-McDonagh after the Irish team had put pressure on their Welsh opponents.
Wales indiscipline allowed Ireland to gain a strong field position through a couple of touch finders from Quinn-McDonagh. The enduing line-out gave number 8 Jordi Murphy the opportunity to burst away from the tail of the line-out before handing on to Macken who sent Andrew Conway racing in for a fine try and an 8-0 lead.
Wales came into the game with a calmly slotted penalty from full back Tom Prydie. But from yet another set piece Macken showed his handling skills to assist Conway for his second try, this time converted by right wing Tiarnan O'Halloran.
Ireland looked set to increase their lead when blindside flanker Stephen Leckey made a charge to the line, only to be called back for crossing. This allowed Prydie to kick his second penalty and with half time closing in the full back dispatched his third goal to leave Wales trailing 15-9 at the break.
The interval had immediate effect as Wales gained the confidence to attack. Ireland’s defence, however, withstood the steady assault on the line as they closed out the gaps, but at the expense of a fourth penalty added by Prydie to narrow Ireland’s lead to just three points.
Having survived this siege, Ireland returned to Wales quarters and were rewarded when Alex Kelly slipped through a gap in midfield for a fine set-piece try converted by O'Halloran.
A fifth penalty from the boot of Prydie brought Wales within a converted try of Ireland's score and it seemed that the Welsh youngsters might just pull off a draw with several chances in the closing stages.
First Dale Ford was presented with an interception chance but the centre just failed to grasp the ball and when full back Prydie made a determined run down the right touchline his inside pass failed to reach the supporting runners, leaving Wales left musing what might have been.
Scorers:
Ireland Tries Conway (2), Kelly Con O'Halloran (2) Drop Goal Quinn-Donagh
Wales Pens Prydie (5)
Wales: Tom Prydie (Porthcawl Comp); Luke Williams (Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig), Dale Ford (Strade), Jack Gadd (Filton College), Eli Walker (Swansea College); , Matthew Morgan (Bridgend College), Adam Jones (Filton College); Rowan Jenkins (CSG), Leaun Davies (Treorchy), Rhodri Jones (Llandovery College), Lloyd Peers (Pencoed College) (capt), McCauley Cook (Bridgend College), Edward Siggery (QEHS), Tom Young (Rhydywaun), David Barry (Neath College)
Subs used Nicky Williams (Filton College), George North (Llandovery College), Lewis Robling (Ysgol Gyfum Gwynliyw), Ben Thomas (Bryntirion CS),, Tom Crandon (Cross Keys College), Gareth Harvey (Pencoed College), Lewis Smout (Coleg Powys)
Referee: J van der Marve, Scotland.
Gareth Alred
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