|
Page 1 of 2 Wales give a solid display in a scrappy encounter, with Pontypridd players to the fore...
Early pressure by the Welsh pack led to a push over try from a lineout by Rhys Shellard (9 min) that was followed by an exceptional kick from out-wide by Dai Flanagan. From the restart Flannigan made an impressive break to feed Aled Brew on the wing who was unfortunately held up before the line. But continuing pressure by Wales was eventually rewarded thanks to some sharp movement by the backs and a sharp pass under pressure by Tom Riley saw Chris Czekai go over (16 min) for a try that was again converted by Dai Flannigan. Ben Lewis replaced Tom Smith.
Wales continued applying pressure throughout the half, but had to wait until the 36th minute to score again thanks to some excellent defence by Italy. This time it was Pontypridd’s Dai Flannigan who was the supplier, sending out a long looping pass to Rhys Shellard who went under the posts for his second try of the match. Half time score 21 – 0 to Wales. The second half began as the first half had ended with Wales in complete dominance, with the Welsh forwards dominant. It was good work by the forwards, in particularly Andy Powell that provided the platform for Martyn Roberts to drop goal on 48 minutes. But four minutes later Italy scored their only points of the match with Duso successfully kicking a penalty. Cheeseman replaced Tom Riley on 55 minutes, who unusually had a quiet game other than his pass that had given Czekai his score. The remainder of the game remained a scrappy affair despite continued Welsh dominance. On the 59th minute Cattina was yellow carded and Wales soon capitalised, scoring a try within a minute of his sending off. Again it was a powerful drive from a lineout by the forwards that saw Will Jones go over for a lead of 29 – 3 to Wales. Sustained Welsh pressure than saw them have a scrum five, Pontypridd’s Andy Powell to picked up from the base to feed Martin Roberts who dived over for a deserved try that was converted by Dai Flannigan for a final score of 36 – 3 to Wales. Wales Try Scorers: Rhys Shellard (2), Chris Czekai, Will Jones and Martin Roberts. Conversions: Dai Flannigan (3) Drop Goal: Martyn Roberts. Man of the Match: Dominic Day. BBC Interactive Man of the Match: Rhys Shellard Pontypridd were well represented by David Flannigan at No 10, Tom Riley at centre, Duane Goodfield at hooker, Chris Dicomedis on the bench [came on 69 min for Shellard], along with both flankers Adam Powell and Rhys Shellard. All the Ponty boys played well, with Rhys Shellard getting his brace along withd some excellent back play by Flannigan and Riley. Particularly impressive on his debut was Adam Powell who had a solid game throughout. Goodfield impressed up front, often leading the forwards charge, whilst Dicomedis only had a short appearance, but gave a solid display.
Wales Under-21: Aled Thomas (Newport/Dragons Academy); Aled Brew (Neath/Ospreys Academy), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Tom Riley (Pontypridd/Blues Academy), Chris Czekaj (Cardiff Blues); David Flannigan (Pontypridd/Blues Academy), Martin Roberts (Neath/Ospreys Academy); Rhys Gill (Cardiff/Blues Academy), Duane Goodfield (Pontypridd/Blues Academy), Phil Osborne (Newport), Alun Wyn Jones (Swansea/Ospreys Academy), Dominic Day (Carmarthen Quins/Scarlets Academy), Adam Powell (Pontypridd/Blues Academy), Rhys Shellard (Pontypridd/Blues Academy), Tom Smith (Neath/Ospreys Academy, captain)
Replacements: Ed Shervington (Neath), Craig Mitchell (Neath/Ospreys Academy), Will Jones (Newport/Dragons Academy), Ben Lewis (Swansea/Ospreys Academy), Tom Cheeseman (Bath Rugby), Liam Davies (Llanelli/Scarlets Academy), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff/Blues Academy), Chris Dicomedis (Pontypridd RFC).
 Add as favourites (33) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 1298
|
![BBCi: Javascript is not available on this browser](http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/bsp/hi/services/htmlsyndication/img/synd_js_error_js-inactive.gif")
