Ireland shut-out headlines memorable day for Wales in Neath

Words: Ian Golden. Pics: Kate Pronger

It was a perfect day in Neath on Saturday and quite the start for a delighted new Wales senior men’s side head coach Paul Berry.

Fielding six debutants, Wales achieved only their fourth men’s side shut-out in history as we beat Ireland 24-0 after being 6-0 up at half-time.

Rhodri Lloyd won his 22nd and final Welsh cap, scoring his 98th senior career try, his seventh for Wales men, and kicking his first and only career goal. He was given a guard of honour by his team-mates on the way back into the dressing room after the game.

Lloyd McEwan-Peters, who turned 20 on the day of the match, gave us the lead from our first attack, scoring in under three minutes, with a try on his senior men’s debut.

New captain Matty Fozard converted, the first of three goals he’d kick in this game.

Max Clarke and Connor Davies completed the scoring, each going over for their second tries for Wales.

It was a big event in Neath, where we combined hosting two matches with cap presentations, as the Wales juniors and students sides enjoyed watching the players they eventually hope to emulate.

There was a historic curtain-raiser where we fielded our brand new Wales A side, who took on a Simon Weston XIII, a side brought together to replace the UK Armed Forces who withdrew earlier this month.

The Wales A side won 68-14, but there was plenty of talent on show from both sides. Aberavon Fighting Irish winger Jay Baker became the first player to score six tries in one match in a Wales shirt, outside of the wheelchair game. Isaac Morgan also crossed for two tries, with Dan Hetherington, Llewellyn Hawkes, Mason Phillips, Oliver Garmston and Alex Green all crossing once. Elli Evans kicked five goals and Mason Phillps three.

Conor O’Callaghan scored twice for the Simon Weston XIII, skipper Brandon Lamb added a try with Nathan Tucker converting once.

Some players from each of these sides will be playing for Wales Dragonhearts next Saturday at Castleford Panthers RLFC when they take on Ireland Wolfhounds (kick-off 11.30am). Later that day, Wales face Ireland again in the second senior men’s international at Featherstone Rovers (kick-off 2pm).

The line-ups in Neath…