Tom Kiernan-Wilson reports from Featherstone Rovers
After a 24-0 victory in Neath the previous week, Wales would make the trip up to The Millenium Stadium in Featherstone to take on an Ireland side who would be out for revenge after a disappointing outing in South Wales. With both sides mixing their squads up from the first fixture, the experience of Ireland’s squad ultimately prevailed in what would be a comfortable victory.
The opening sets saw both sides feel each other out in an even display, however it was noticeable from the off that Ireland planned to (and succeeded in) keeping Wales penned into their own half as much as possible. The first try came just before the ten-minute mark as an Irish high bomb on the last was collected by an unchallenged Daniel Corcoran who raced past Owen Restall and Max Clarke to score in the left corner. The resulting conversion attempt was missed in what would be a regular occurrence for the home side during this afternoon’s contest.
Unperturbed by this setback, Wales showed some promising attack as passes from right to left exposed a gap down Ireland’s wing, however the final pass to Billy Walkley drifted forward and was pulled back by the referee. This gifted Ireland possession 30 metres out from the Wales line, and after some sustained pressure and Welsh ill-discipline a long looping cut-out pass to Connor Carr saw the centre crash over in the left-hand corner. The conversion attempt was missed once again.
This exchange would be largely repeated less than five minutes later. Wales were awarded their first penalty of the game, only to cough up possession early in the set and provide Ireland with another opportunity to add points to the board. Ireland’s stand-out player Brendan O’Hagan duly obliged, storming through the Welsh before passing outwards and gleefully receiving the ball back to slide under the sticks. Aiden McGowan struck a simple conversion.
Ireland would turn up the temperature with back-to-back tries following another break that was eventually finished by Connor Carr in the left-hand corner, although McGowan could not convert. Things would go from bad to worse for the away side as Ireland would secure a fifth try as Declan O’Donnell scooted over from dummy-half. Once again, McGowan was unable to add the extras from the kicking tee.
As the game entered the final ten minutes of the first half, Wales had their first real attempt on Ireland’s line but a grubber kick from 10 metres out on the last would be dealt with comfortably by the Irish defence. It would only take a couple of minutes to Ireland to strike back, with Aaron Lynch cutting through the line and racing down the left-hand corner to score. Ireland were again unable to convert.
With the game slowly running away from the visitors, Wales entered a purple patch as the first half drew to a close. Whilst their second chance on the Irish line led to Wales conceding a 7-tackle restart, Wales would go on to open their account as winger Owen Restall intercepted a pass out left and raced down the touchline to score in the right corner. Captain Matty Fozard duly added the extras from out wide. Wales would also show some much-needed grit in defence as they prevented a seventh Irish try just before the half-time hooter.
Half-time: Ireland 26 – 6 Wales
Knowing they had to restore some pride to the scoreline, Wales would start the second half strongly and hungry to make metres against a resilient Irish defence. Despite those efforts, it would be the home side that would have the better field position, and this would eventually translate into Ireland’s seventh try as Brendan O’Hagan scored his second of the afternoon by scurrying over to the left of the Welsh try-line. Aiden McGowan would add the extras for the second and final time.
The next 15 minutes would be largely even, with neither side giving up ground and Wales looking a little more dangerous on the back of some unforced errors by Ireland. Wales’s efforts would be eventually rewarded with a little over 15 minutes to go as Denive Balmforth finished off a nice piece of attacking play by dotting the ball down just right of the posts. Matty Fozard was once again on hand to add the extras.
Less than five minutes later Ireland would have the final say of the afternoon as an audacious looping pass to Lewis Wing saw the aptly named winger toe-poke the pass beyond Billy Walkley before stretching out to score before the ball rolled dead. Ireland were unable to convert from out wide. This would prove to be the final score of the afternoon, although not for the want of trying from either side who both had opportunities to extend their lead and add a consolation respectively.
As Wales’s autumn test series comes to a close with a score draw against Ireland, Men’s Head Coach Paul Berry will have an opportunity to reflect on the performances of his players – a mix of experienced and younger players selected, including some who earned their first caps and, in some cases, had their first experiences of first-team rugby over the last couple of weeks. Whilst this weekend’s result will be disappointing, fans will no doubt by excited by the efforts of Paul’s younger prospects, eager to earn their place ahead of Wales’s eventual qualification campaign for the 2030 Rugby League World Cup.
Full-time: Ireland 36-12 Wales
Teams:
Ireland
Starting XIII
6 – Aiden McGowan
5 – Lewis Wing
14 – Daniel Corcoran
15 – Aaron Lynch
3 – Connor Carr
11 – Harry Rushton
18 – Brendan O’Hagan
8 – George King (C)
17 – Declan O’Donnell
10 – Ronan Michael
4 – Zack McComb
12 – Lachlan Lanksey
13 – Pat Moran
Interchanges (all used):
1 – Oliver Whitford
22 – Joe Philbin
23 – Lucas Castle
20 – Ryan Hogg
18th Man – Will Walker
Wales
Starting XIII:
1 – Sam Dickenson
2 – Billy Walkley
3 – Max Clarke
4 – Lloyd McEwan-Peters
5 – Owen Restall
6 – Denive Balmforth
7 – Matty Fozard (C)
8 – Sam Bowring
9 – Finlay Yates
10 – Huw Worthington
11 – Matt Ross
12 – Sam Grice
13 – Connor Davies (VC)
Interchanges (all used):
14 – Charlie Newton
15 – Charlie Glover
16 – Ashton Robinson
18 – George Birch
18th Man – Charlie Thoma
