Women’s Rugby: England U19 12 Wales U19 7

Wales got off to an excellent start with scrum half Kerry Jenkins scoring to the side of the posts following an English knock on from the kick off. Jenkins added the conversion and Wales were 7-0 up inside five minutes.
With the experienced back row of Phillips, Pike and Nicholas disrupting their opposite numbers at every opportunity, Wales continued to lay siege in the English 22 and winger Sara Weldon came close to increasing the lead even further.
As half time approached, England winger Harriet Crockett scored the first of her two tries from a set piece move on the half way line. Clifton’s Kim Oliver added the extra two points.
Crockett soon added her second, again from fifty yards out, as weak Welsh tackling allowed the Bath Academy winger to increase their lead to 12-7.
The second half became a tense affair which saw the English player of the match Katie White sin binned and the No 8 Laura Jenkins sent off for a late tackle on the Welsh full back Ellen Evans.
With the opposition down to thirteen players, Wales took advantage and camped themselves on the English try line. Kerry Jenkins had a second try disallowed for a double movement and despite several last ditch attempts the impressive English defence stood firm and they ran out winners by 12-7.
Despite the defeat, this game proved that the future of U19 rugby is healthy in both England and Wales and it is hoped that this fixture will become an annual event on a home and away basis.