Match Report

North Wales started their Wales Rugby League Origin campaign in style with a 62-18 victory over West Wales in Bangor.

The hosts attacked from the off, and an error in the first two minutes nearly let in Morgan Johnson for a scoring chance, but he also fumbled and the chance was lost.

However on regaining ball, North took the lead. Jonny Rae ran in under the sticks and Johnson converted.

The lead was soon doubled when Aidyn Jones scored in the corner and Johnson kicked well again.

West hit back on 14 minutes after Oscar Wong caught a high bomb to score in the corner and Aaron Lewis converted well.

Straight away, North extended their lead again. Alfie Mathias went over in the corner with Johnson unable to add the extras.

Their fourth try came on 24 minutes when George O’Brien ran well to score. Johnson kicked well to put North 22-6 up.

O’Brien soon added his second and North’s fifth, but new kicker Ryan Griffiths couldn’t improve and North were 26-6 up at the break.

It took North just two minutes to bring up 30 points. Billy Forrester forcing his way over, with the conversion missed.

From kick-off, Johnson ran 40 metres and placed the ball under the sticks.

West got another try back on 54 minutes. It was a well-worked set, potentially West’s best of the game, which Lewys Walsh finished off by squeezing his way over. Aaron Lewis converted.

With 20 minutes to go, Andrew McLorlie extended North’s lead again, with Johnson’s goal attempt going just under the crossbar.

West were down but not out and Lewys Blayney burst through on 65 minutes for their third try which Lewis again improved.

Five minutes after that, Ben Stelmaszek scored North’s ninth try with Johnson converted to put the score onto 46-18.

Aaron Lewis was sinbinned for dissent following that try and North took advantage of the gaps, scoring three more quick tries. A Jamie Fozard effort brought up the 50, with Johnson again converting. Alex Prince added an unconverted try with four minutes to go. Stelmaszek went over for the final try with Johnson converting.

Next Sunday (25th), West Wales complete their campaign as they host East Wales at Skewen RFC (kick-off 2pm).