Wales Under 20 made it two wins out of two by beating Scotland 26-21 at the Junior World Championship in Nantes setting up a crunch Pool decider against Argentina on Thursday for a place in the semi-finals.
Danny Wilson’s men got their JWC campaign off to a great start with a 42-3 bonus point victory over Samoa on Day One, while Scotland went down 44-13 to Argentina. However, today’s match was a different story, Scotland’s gritty performance showing they are a better side than the Round One score line would suggest.
Wales began well and a penalty from Ospreys and Swansea outside half Sam Davies after 10 minutes set the ball rolling.
From line out ball won by captain Ellis Jenkins, and some great carrying from a selection of forwards, Sam Davies sent the ball to left wing Ashley Evans who made a neat inside pass for Aaron Warren to score, Davies adding the extras.
Wales dominated the possession and territory in the opening quarter and displayed some swift handling skills but when the gaps didn’t open up, Sam Davies took an opportunity for some extra points by slotting a drop goal inside the half hour mark to take the score to 13-0.
However, Scotland launched a comeback through outside half Tommy Allan who kicked two long range penalties before the break taking the half time score to 13-6.
The Perpignan pivot closed the gap even further with a penalty just after the break which gave his side renewed confidence leading to Scotland’s first try through impressive No 8 Adam Ashe to put the Scots into the lead for the first time at 13-16.
Ospreys outside half Davies pulled Wales back level with a penalty at 56 minutes and following the restart, Steffan Hughes scored a vital try which effectively won the game for Wales. Full back Jordan Williams, who had shown glimpses of individual attacking brilliance in the first half, side stepped the Scottish defence from within his own half and kicked through for Hughes to pick up and touch down. Davies added the extras and took his match tally to 16 soon after with a third and final penalty.
Scotland maintained the pressure in the final minutes and had Allan been as accurate with the boot as in the first half, the result could have gone the other way. The Scottish stand-off was off target with a drop goal and penalty attempt. However, Scotland’s continued pressure paid off with a try for replacement lock Eoghan Masterson. Allan’s conversion attempt also failed and despite further pressure, Wales’ defence held out to set up Thursday’s must win clash against the Pumitas.
Scorers:
Wales:
Tries: Aaron Warren, Steffan Hughes
Cons: Sam Davies (2)
Pens: Sam Davies (3)
Drop Goal: Sam Davies
Scotland :
Tries : Adam Ashe, Eoghan Masterson
Cons : Tommy Allan
Pens : Tommy Allan (3)
Wales :
Jordan Williams (Owen Jenkins 78); Aaron Warren, Steffan Hughes, Thomas Pascoe (Jack Dixon 50), Ashley Evans; Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams (Joshua Davies 70); Nicky Smith (Thomas Davies 50),Elliot Dee (Ethan Lewis 65), Nicky Thomas (Dan Suter 68), Jack Jones (Carwyn Jones 52), Rhodri Hughes, Ellis Jenkins (capt), Daniel Thomas (James Benjamin 62), Sion Bennett
Scotland:
Damien Hoyland (Chris Auld 60); Jamie Farndale. Robbie Fergusson, Mark Bennett (JJ Kilmartin 66), Rory Hughes; Tommy Allan, Scott Steele (Ali Price 66); Jamie Bhatti (James Malcolm 51), Russell Anderson, Darcy Rae (Phil Cringle 64), Adam Sinclair (Eoghan Masterson 60), Jonny Gray (capt), Alex Henderson (Tommy Spinks 66), Will Bordill,
