Wales opened their European U19 Championship match with a 52-30 win over Serbia, in what was a sometimes undisciplined but still an entertaining match.
Serbia were never pushovers and were led superbly by Tyson Walker, one of four Australian-based players brought into the Serbia side for the Championships. The remainder of their side were from their local domestic league, as are the majority of the Welsh squad.
There were five cards dealt out during the game, three to Serbia, and the first two yellows, given in the space of four minutes made it 13 v 11 for a short period, and Wales soon took advantage.
Ethan Williams rushed in to score the first try of the day on 12 minutes. Kavan Phillips easily converted from under the sticks.
From the next set, the lead was doubled. Regan Preece went over in the corner for Wales’ second try and Phillips converted again.
Phillips soon added a try of his own, before Preece rushed in for his second. Phillips converted both to make it 24-0 to Wales on 24 minutes.
But Serbia weren’t giving up and Kai Saric, one of the players sinbinned earlier, weaved his way through the Welsh line for his country’s opening try on 29 minutes. Walker converted.
Seven minutes later, Walker, who plays for NRL feeder club Illawarra Steelers, continued to show his skill and did well to slice through for Serbia’s second try, converting it himself.
But Wales finished the half on a high, after Saric received his second ten-minute yellow of the game, as Jacob Morris forced his way over and Phillips added the goal to put the half-time score on to 30-12.
It took 13 second half minutes for Wales to add to their lead, despite being down to 12 temporarily after Morris was given a yellow. Ioan Herbert scoring a try that Phillips couldn’t convert.
Serbia thought they’d hit back when Kai Saric touched down, but the referee ruled the score out. Given a seven tackle set, Wales worked their way upfield and this led to Preece claiming his hat-trick, scoring in the corner. Phillips converted well.
Ioan Herbert scored under the sticks for Wales’ next try with Phillips converting again.
Serbia again refused to give up, Zaric Saban got a try back for Serbia and Walker added the goal to bring the score back to 46-18.
Wales had done enough to win, so when Morris was given a red card for punching with 12 minutes remaining, it didn’t affect the result.
Serbia did immediately score, through Saban again with Walker converting, but a Phillips try and goal cemented the Welsh victory.
However Walker had the last say with another try and goal of his own to give Serbia a respectable look on the final score.
Wales now take on England this Wednesday, kick-off 5pm BST.
