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The Wales Rugby League Academy has beaten Italy U19s 34-12 at Coleg y Cymoedd.
Four Aber Valley Wolves players featured, including Oliver Ford, Cole MacDonald, Rhys Davies and Rhodri Jones.
With a nine-day training camp behind them, Italy started as the dominant side with Wales soaking up the pressure inside the opening 15 minutes.
On the 16-minute mark Wales opened the scoring as Carter Barnes broke free before eventually crossing the line and making it 4-0 to the hosts.
Straight from kick-off and Wales scored again. This time Dafydd Morgan getting over before Mason Apsee kicked the extras to extend the Wales lead. 10-0.
In the second quarter, the Italians knocked it on just inside the Welsh half. The resulting scrum saw Finn Northrop edge through a gap as he ran 55 metres for an outstanding try, Apsee converting to make it 16-0.
Sticking to the game plan, Wales again worked the Italian middle channel with Alex Banks crashing over for a try, Aspee again getting the extras to make it 22-0 at half-time.
Wales opened the half with a quick try scored by Banks again. Apsee converting to make it 28-0. As the temperature increased Wales became a little sloppy with the ball and Italy soon took advantage.
A try scored by Sebastián Binutti, closely followed by another from Elias Micheler, brought the score to 28-12 and put a bit of pressure on the Welsh defence.
With the Welsh boys out on their feet, the coaches asked for one more push. Digging in deep, Wales’ Rhys Davies forced the turnover, and some good work down the short side saw Finn running in from 30 metres to score his brace. Apsee converted to take the final score to 34-12.
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