Monday 25 February 2013

Welsh youngsters earn narrow win over France

The Wales under-18s side narrowly beat France 29-27 at St Helens in a close-knit game that saw Wales hold off a spirited fightback.

Allan Lewis’ side always look to play with ball in hand and again showed impressive attacking play that earned them four tries.

France were first to score with a penalty for Toulouse full back Thomas Ramos, but Wales then scored three unanswered tries - two for full back Steffan Evans and one for captain and right wing Dafydd Howells – with Angus O’Brien kicking two conversions.

Wales displayed good decision-making, angles of running and skill levels for all three scores, and although Ramos notched another penalty, the hosts went in 19-6 to the good at the break.

O’Brien added a penalty early in the second half but Wales then dropped their guard and allowed the visitors back into the game.

France scored two tries from outside half Lucas Chouvet and replacement No8 Matthieu Majeau, Ramos adding the extras to take France within two points of Wales at 20-22.

However, Wales responded well with some 15-man rugby, No8 Tom Phillips and lock Josh Helps amongst those to make the hard yards before the backs showed some lovely handling skills to send Howells over, O’Brien’s conversion sealing the win.

France had the last word with a try for Thomas Fortunel in the dying moments, converted by Ramos, but Wales had done enough.

Wales face England next at St Helens on Sunday, March 10 at 2.30pm.

Wales team:
Steffan Evans (Scarlets/Ysgol y Strade/Kidwelly)
Dafydd Howells (captain) (Ospreys/Neath Port Talbot Coll/Abercrave)
Aled Summerhill (Blues/Coleg Morgannwg)
Craig Woodall (Scarlets/Amman Valley)
Josh Adams (Scarlets/Coleg Sir Gar/Pontyberem)
Angus O'Brien (Dragons/Caerleon Comp/Caerleon)
Dan Brooks (Ospreys/Llandovery Coll/Bonymaen)
Dillon Lewis (Blues/Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg/Pontypridd)
Torin Myhill (Scarlets/Coleg Sir Gar/Burry Port)
Javan Sebastian (Scarlets/Queen Elizabeth High/Carmarthan Athletic)
Josh Helps (Scarlets/Dyffryn Taf)
Rory Thornton (Ospreys/Gower College/Bonymaen)
Ollie Hitchings (Blues/Cowbridge Comp/Glamorgan Wanderers)
Oliver Griffiths (Dragons/Coleg Gwent/Crumlin)
Tom Phillips (Scarlets/Coleg Sir Gar/Llangennech)

Replacements:
Callum Mitchell (RGC/Llandrillo College/Colwyn Bay)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets/Bro Myrddin/Carmarthen Athletic)
Alex Jeffries (Dragons/Coleg Gwent/Newport)
Adam Beard (Ospreys/Neath College/Birchgrove)
Jordan Collier (Ospreys/Neath Port Talbot College/Neath)
Tom Williams (Blues/Treorchy Comp/Treorchy)
Luke Price (Ospreys/Maesydderwen/Abercrave)
Joe Thomas (Ospreys/Neath Port Talbot Coll/Morriston)

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