Wales started their defence of the U16 Four Nations with a comprehensive 44-12 win over Ireland at Terenure College in Dublin on Saturday afternoon.
The victory was Wales’ fourth out of four over Ireland at this level and it was an excellent performance from the young Welsh.
However it didn’t go all their way at the start. Tommy Rhodes broke and kicked well for Ryan Crawford to gather and score. Rhodes converted and Ireland were 6-0 up on eight minutes.
But that was as good as it was going to get for the home side. On 16 minutes, Wales won a repeat set, then a penalty and Morgan Marozzelli, one of just five players remaining from last year’s side, scored in the corner. Matthew Clatworthy converted to level the scores.
Then eight minutes later, following an Ireland error, Joseph Johnson scored in the corner to give Wales the lead.
As soon as Ireland regained the ball, they gave it away. Ralf Roberts intercepted and ran to the line with Clatworthy converting.
And just before half-time, it was a flying finish from Roberts in the corner after running through. The try wasn’t converted and Wales led 20-6 at the break.
Two minutes after half-time, Wales captain Samuel Dickenson was the next Wales player on the board and Clatworthy converted.
From kick-off, Dickenson raced through again with Clatworthy again adding the goal. Wales were 32-6 up with only five minutes gone in the second half.
Three minutes later, Evan Williams crossed after doing well to keep the ball alive. Clatworthy converted.
And then on 51 minutes, Dickenson fed Johnson scores for him to score his second and Clatworthy converted again.
That was it for the Wales scoring. Ireland did manage a try back on the hour through Sean Tworney after a brief spell of pressure. Rhodes converted and after that, the defences from both sides remained strong, but Wales had done more than enough for a big win.
Ireland: John Reynolds (Galway Tribesmen), Setanta Gleeson (Carrick on Shannon), Mitch Ireland (Latchford Giants), Eugene Tinubu (Oldham St Annes), Ryan Crawford (Dublin City Exiles), Finley Dearnley (Elland), Tommy Rhodes (Siddal), Jack Brown (Normanton Knights), Matthew Tootill (Brentwood Eels), James Rodgers (Latchford Giants), Andy Lee (Rochdale Mayfield), Jamie Coop (Rochdale Mayfield), Zak Brand (Shevington Sharks). Subs: Sean Twomey (Stanningley), Paddy White (Cill Dara), Oliver Joliffe (Latchford Giants), Joseph Gill (Dewsbury Moor), Callum Dooley (Cill Dara), Oscar Mulleady (Folly Lane), Conor Meadows (Longford).
Tries: Crawford (8), Twomey (60)
Goals: Rhodes 2/2
Wales: Samuel Dickenson (Woolston Rovers/St. Ambrose College), Joseph Johnson (Aber Valley Wolves/Corpus Christi Catholic High School), Harley Smith (Cynon Valley Cavaliers/Aberdare Community School), Morgan Marozzelli (Aber Valley Wolves/Blackwood Comprehensive School), Ralf Roberts (Halton Farnworth Hornets/Ysgol Morgan Llywd), Evan Williams (Torfaen Tigers/ West Monmouth School), Matthew Clatworthy (Bridgend Blue Bulls/Porthcawl Comprehensive School), Jake Sheppard (Torfaen Tigers/Islwyn High School), Finlay Walker (Aber Valley Wolves/Y Pant Comprehensive School), Isaac Holdsworth (Siddal/Brighouse High School), William Mather (Kippax Welfare/Castleford Academy), Joshua Harding (Aber Valley Wolves/Blackwood Comprehensive School), Harvey Williams (Aber Valley Wolves/Ebbw Fawr Learning Community). Subs: Oliver Rees (Swansea Rams/Ysgol Y Strade), Elis Thomas (Bridgend Blue Bulls/Ysgol Gyfun Bro Dur), Mason Daniels (Cynon Valley Cavaliers/Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Rhydywaun), Charlie Thomas (Swansea Rams/ Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin), Owain Martin (Bridgend Blue Bulls/Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe), Kavan Phillips (Aber Valley Wolves/Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni).
Tries: Marozzelli (16), Johnson (24, 51), Roberts (28, 38), Dickenson (42, 44), E Williams (48)
Goals: Clatworthy: 6/8
Referee: Jason le Lievre (New Zealand)