Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today
Wales’ U16s rugby league side have beaten Scotland 48-4 in the Four Nations to set up a winner-takes-all clash against England next month.
The victory on Sunday June 30 follows on from a convincing win over Ireland.
Wales’s attentions now turn towards hosting England in Neath on August 3, with both sides knowing a win will seal victory.
It will be a repeat of last year’s decider, which saw Wales triumph 38-18 over their English rivals in Leigh, Greater Manchester.
Welsh dominance
Wales looked in control for the most of the game against Scotland in Chester. They started when Islwyn High School’s Jack Sheppard burrowed over the defence for a first minute try. Matthew Clatworthy converted.
Welsh dominance continued when the metres were made quickly down the field and Ralf Roberts grounded.
Harley Smith added the third on 16 minutes, moving at sped to score, then seven minutes later, Roberts sped through the defence for his second and grounded under the sticks. Clatworthy converted to put Wales 20-0 up.
And that’s the way it stayed until half-time. The Welsh defence held firm despite efforts from Cameron Hinchcliffe-Gregg to force his way under the sticks, whilst Jac Jones for Wales came close to scoring their fourth near the stroke of half time.
Joseph Johnson, who plays his club rugby with Aber Valley Wolves, opened the score for Wales’ first try minutes into the second-half, grounding effortlessly through the defence on the wing.
But Scotland hit back. Isaac McLean scored their only try of the day after battling through the Welsh defence.
The Welsh captain Samuel Dickenson struck back almost immediately for Wales by grounding near the sticks. Clatworthy missed the kick.
Johnson scored his second try in the corner moments later to take the game even further away from the Scots.
Jones then grounded under the sticks, but it was disallowed for a knock-on.
But he wasn’t to be denied, scoring under the sticks from the next play.
One way traffic continued but small flashes of promise could be seen throughout the Scotland side.
Elis Thomas scored at the death in the corner to end the game, but there was still time for another try when Sheppard grounded his second of the match under the sticks. Clatworthy’s kick was successful.
Wales lineup
- 1 Samuel Dickenson (Woolston Rovers/St. Ambrose College, captain)
- 2 Joseph Johnson (Aber Valley Wolves/Corpus Christi Catholic High School)
- 3 Harley Smith (Cynon Valley Cavaliers/Aberdare Community School)
- 4 Morgan Marozzelli (Aber Valley Wolves/Blackwood Comprehensive School)
- 5 Ralf Roberts (Halton Farnworth Hornets/Ysgol Morgan Llywd)
- 6 Evan Williams (Torfaen Tigers/ West Monmouth School)
- 7 Matthew Clatworthy (Bridgend Blue Bulls/Porthcawl Comprehensive School)
- 8 Isaac Holdsworth (Siddal/Brighouse High School)
- 9 Finlay Walker (Aber Valley Wolves/Y Pant Comprehensive School)
- 10 Jake Sheppard (Torfaen Tigers/Islwyn High School)
- 11 William Mathers (Kippax Welfare/Castleford Academy)
- 12 Joshua Harding (Aber Valley Wolves/Blackwood Comprehensive School)
- 13 Harvey Williams (Aber Valley Wolves/Ebbw Fawr Learning Community)
Subs
- 14 Oliver Rees (Swansea Rams/Ysgol Y Strade)
- 15 Jac Jones (Cardiff Blue Dragons/The Bishop of Llandaff High School)
- 16 Tyler Mills (Crosfields/Great Sankey High School)
- 17 Elis Thomas (Bridgend Blue Bulls/Ysgol Gyfun Bro Dur)
- 18 Charlie Thomas (Swansea Rams/ Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin)
- 19 Harri Arthur (Swansea Rams/Ysgol Y Strade)
- 20 Kavan Phillips (Aber Valley Wolves/Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni)
Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.
Become a member today