Henson Stars As Wales Under 21 Snatch Victory At The Death
IRELAND UNDER 21 36
WALES UNDER 21 38
Swansea star Gavin Henson gave a glimpse of why the IRB voted him the best young player in the world last year as he grabbed 18 points in a sensational victory for Wales at Donnybrook.
As the game moved into its final few moments it looked as though the sin-binning of Wales lock Bryn Griffiths after 60 minutes was going to prove the difference between two talented sides.
Wales led 20-13 at the interval and then 26-13 prior to the departure for 10 minutes of Griffiths.
But by the time the second row was let back onto the field he had seen his side concede 17 points and slip behind 30-26.
Wales should have scored with what everyone thought was the last move of the match, when they had a huge overlap, but they knocked on with the line at their mercy.
Then they stole the ball from the Irish scrum and Henson weaved his way over for their fifth try to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.
UC Cork flanker Denis Leamy grabbed two tries for the home side and UL Bohemians wing Martin McPhail got another.
The boot of Dungannon outside half Ian Humphreys, brother of Irish stand-off David Humphreys, did the rest of the damage with five penalties and three conversions.
But despite the 21 point contribution from Humphreys, it was the Welsh No 10 who stole the glory. Henson’s try followed others from wings Liam Roberts and Nicky Jones, another from Rhys Williams and a penalty try.
SCORERS: Ireland Under 21: Tries: D Leamy 2, M McPHail; Cons: I Humphreys 3; Pens: I Humphreys 5. Wales Under 21: Tries: L Roberts, N Jones, R Williams, G Henson, penalty try; Cons: G Henson 2; Pens: G Henson 2; DG: G Henson.