Wales easily overcome Serbia for a place in the final

Words: Ian Golden. Pic: Dave Gibson. Full timeline

Wales beat Serbia 48-0 to safely move into the play-off final at St Esteve this Saturday, where they’ll face France.

Whoever wins that game will qualify for next year’s World Series against Cook Islands, Jamaica and South Africa with the top two qualifying for RLWC2026.

Wales put on a top class performance, taking the lead in the tenth minute, and this after Serbia had already given away five penalties.

Billy Walkley was shoulder-charged, and from the resulting play, Matty Fozard slipped through a gap for the opening try, converting it himself.

Wales soon increased their lead with a stunning try. Rhys Williams started the move from his own 40-metre line. Mike Butt nearly went through himself, but was stopped by an ankle tap, but he kept the ball moving and Elliot Kear picked up the pass to sprint the final 20 metres. Fozard converted.

The third try was scored on 27 minutes. Ben Evans pushed his way to the line for the first attempt, then Ant Walker barged over for the score under the sticks, making it easy for Fozard to add the extras.

Straight from kick-off, Wales scored their fourth. This time it was Walker who started the move, Josh Ralph was also involved and Ashton Robinson, the wrecking ball, charged through for his first Wales try. Fozard’s goal put the score onto 24-0.

And after Serbia gave away another penalty, their seventh of the half, Ralph fed Connor Davies to score Wales’ fifth try. Fozard made it five from five with the boot and Wales were 30-0 up at the break.

Serbia came out looking for an early try, but Wales were excelling in defence as well as attack. Djordje Krnjeta was stopped by a Kear cruncher when he was just metres from the line.

Wales then continued to attack. Joe Coope-Franklin mishandled as he was diving for the line, but from their next attack, Mike Butt got on the end of a good passing move for Wales sixth try. Fozard converted again.

Coope-Franklin had another opportunity to score, but he unselfishly fed Huw Worthington who was in a much better position for him to score Wales’ seventh of the match. With Fozard off the field, Kear kicked the goal.

Serbia, who had been down and out for most of the game, did look for a try back, and David Nofoaluma managed to catch a high bomb from the final tackle of a set to try and force his way through, but the Welsh defence stood firm.

Finally, Coope-Franklin got his try, and it happened in the final move of the game as he outpaced his markers to latch onto a grubber. Fozard’s goal completed a perfect Welsh performance.