Wales Women U19 triumph over USA

The second-half substitute gained the eleventh hour victory in the match played at Rumney RFC, Cardiff, last night (March 29th). Wales dominated the first half and went into the lead after 15 minutes when scrum half Laura Marsh darted from the base of the scrum on the five metre line and snuck through the USA defence to score. Mared Evans then slotted the simple conversion to take Wales into a 7-0 lead.

Some big tackles and a lot of turnover ball from both teams stopped any more points being scored until the stroke of half-time when Wales put together some excellent phase play, which resulted in a try from fly half Evans.

USA came back a more focussed and determined team in the second half and were rewarded early on when fly half Karen Hunt broke through the Welsh defence and held off a number of tackles to score under the sticks, which she then converted. Eight minutes later Wales were punished again from their poor defence when Jessica Watkins made a superb counter-attack from poorly kicked ball and weaved her way through the Welsh players to equal the score. Hunt then made the conversation to take the USA in to a slender two point advantage.

A number of opportunities were squandered by the Welsh to regain the lead, but they managed to hold off strong attacking play from the USA to deny them anymore points. Wales then stepped up their play in the dying few minutes of the match which led to a penalty opportunity in the 22.  Preece stepped up to the challenge, coolly slotting the ball between the uprights to seal the victory for Wales U19.

U19 Women’s International

Wales Women U19 15-14 USA Women U19

Wales Women U19
Tries: L Marsh, M Evans
Con: M Evans
Pen: B Preece

USA Women U19
Tries: K Hunt, J Watkins
Con: K Hunt (2)

Wales: Kerin Lake, Heledd Stephens, Adrianna Taviner, Ceri Redman, Elinor Snowsill, Mared Evans, Laura Marsh, Issy Jones, Amy Lawrence, Lowri Harries, Sian Williams, Beth Hawke, Amy Thompson, Carys John, Vicky Owens

Replacements: Sam Hill for K Lake; Eleni Smith for B Hawke; Kirsty Harrison for A Lawrence; Levi Hallett for C Redman; Cherry Morris for A Taviner; Beth Preece for M Evans


USA: Jessica Watkins; Sadie Anderson, Rachel Sacks, Lisa Henneman, Catherine Turnerdrown, Karen Hunt, Jenny Beaman, Justine Harris, Laura Parker, Megan Thompson, Stacey Bridges, Kathryn McCormick, Kelsey Moss, Jozy Gessner, Candace Barley

Replacements: Kerrie Hughes for J Gessner; Marrissa Readinger for L Paker; Krystle Harrel for K Hughes