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Wales U18s impressed in front of packed-out crowd of 1,400 people at the Centre for Sporting Excellence, beating Scotland U18s 43-10.

Richie Pugh’s side took a bit of time to settle, but after a few early mistakes they took the lead and never looked back.

A spirited Scotland side competed until the final whistle, but some late tries from Wales capped a great day’s work for the hosts.

Kick-off

The first chance of the match fell to Dragons youngster Jack Woods. Following some Scottish pressure, a turnover allowed Wales to break with numbers down the left.

Woods found himself clear through just past the halfway line, but failed to secure the ball and fumbled it forwards.

The mistake seemed to sharpen the Scottish minds, and for the next ten minutes or so they looked the side most likely to score.

They almost did when vice captain Ben Curtis crashed over the line, but the referee said the ball was held-up.

It took a great strip tackle from captain Steffan Emanuel to switch momentum in Wales’ favour, and it wasn’t long before they had points on the board.

After a penalty was awarded 20 metres out, some might have thought Wales would take the points. However there was clearly an attack-minded gameplan in place, and instead Carwyn Jones kicked for touch.

The gamble paid-off. After a few passes, Emanuel broke through the line and scored underneath the posts. Jones kicked the extras and Wales were 7-0 to the good.

Credit to the visitors however, they responded well moments later.

After a good maul close to the Wales try line, Jamie McAughtrie managed to squeeze over. The kick by Freddie Drake Lee hit the uprights on the way over, but it was enough to make it 7-7.

There were a few mistakes at the breakdown from Wales, but their overall dominance eventually shone through again.

Some quick hands from the backline eventually found Emanuel who popped the ball up to the onrushing Lewis Edwards.

Edwards burst past defenders to go untouched between the posts. Jones was good with the kick once again. 14-7 after 20 minutes.

Wales moved the ball with real purpose after the try, and it wasn’t long before they were in again.

Out wide this time, Cardiff winger Joseff Jones danced down the touchline and just about managed to get the ball down before losing it. The kick again was good. 21-7.

A Scottish offside gave Wales another penalty in visitor territory, this time the Scarlets fly-half opted for the posts. 24-7.

Scotland did manage to stop the rot just before the half-time whistle blew. A good kick by Drake Lee reduced the deficit to 24-10 at the half.

Second-half

It was a positive start to the half from Scotland; as it needed to be. They moved the ball well and opted for tap and goes instead of going for touch when handed penalties.

Any momentum was halted however following an error from Drake Lee.

A ball chipped in behind by Wales was heading to touch just inside the Scottish five metre line. Drake Lee did his best to stop it from going out, but in doing so chipped the ball inside to the alert Woods.

Woods walked-in for the easiest try he’ll ever score. The kick after was good again. 31-10.

Coach Pugh made a host of changes shortly after the score. He clearly thought the game was won.

Scotland had other ideas however, and fought hard deep in Wales territory for ten minutes but to no avail.

Mistakes cost them again, and it wasn’t long before Wales were back on top.

Scotland were stretched with a few minutes to go, and captain Emanuel should have had his second of the game down the right.

Instead of crashing over with one man to beat, he selflessly set-up his teammate, but the referee called it forward.

After a head injury to one of the Scottish youngsters, the game was all but over. It didn’t stop Wales scoring two late tries to really stamp home their dominance however.

The second of which was again masterfully executed down the wing by Joseff Jones to secure his second of the day.

Full-time 43-10 to Wales U18s. A very impressive display from Pugh’s men, who had the chance to bring on some talent too.

That completed the double for Wales, after their U18s development side also beat Scotland a couple hours earlier by 29-22.