WALES SHOW PROMISE IN SIX NATIONS OPENER

After last year’s 81-0 thumping, Wales went out on the Old Albanians RFC pitch with a massive point to prove.  With a squad strengthened by the return of several dynamic players including Captain Mel Berry and Vice-Captain Clare Flowers, Wales put out their most experienced side in a number of years. 

Wales took the lead in the fourth minute, with Non Evans capitalising on the sin-binning of Rochelle Clark by comfortably slotting the ball over from 25m for 3 points.  Karen Andrew drew the sides level five minutes later and claimed an English lead with another penalty midway through the first half. 

England’s attacking strength dominated, with Wales firmly on the back-foot for most of the first half.  Two tries from Georgia Stevens and one apiece from Michaela Staniford and Nicola Crawford, appeared to put Wales to the sword with a 28-3 half-time scoreline hanging over. 

It was a different Wales that re-emerged from the dressing room, taking the game to England right from the restart.  Outside Half, Naomi Thomas, led the attack in the first five minutes, showing her pace with a superb break through the English backline.  

Wales’ first try of the game came moments later, with Berry taking a quick tap on the 22 to catch the English defence cold and allow Non Evans to outpace the last defender and cross in the corner.  Evans failed to convert her effort.

The substitution of scrum half, Amy Day, meant a move into the 9 position for Berry, who showed her immense versatility on her first touch at the set-piece.  From an 8 pick-up, she exploited the blind to outpace her original opposite number, Maggie Alphonsi.

On the 53rd minute of the half, Thomas made a good decision to swing blind from the ruck, with Evans and Flowers linking to put Rachel Poolman in for her first international try.  Evans converted to bring the score up to 28-15. 

As the time ticked on, England scored a further two tries through Jenny Sutton and Helen Clayton to take the victory by 38-15. 

Congratulations go to Rhian Williams and Liza Burgess on gaining their 50th and 75th caps, respectively.  Both players made sizeable impacts in what was a positive start to the campaign.