WALES STUDENTS 32 ROYAL AIR FORCE 12
Ian Golden at Tata Steel Sports and Social, Wednesday
Wales Students made it four wins out of four in their warm-up matches for the Four Nations, after beating RAF to win the Simon Weston Trophy.
This was the second year that this trophy has been competed for, with RAF winning the inaugural match last season. But this time it was Wales’ day, as Clive Griffiths’ side dominated from almost start to finish.
Scott Simons had the first chance in a good attack for Wales but was forced into an error by the strong RAF line.
But Wales took the lead on six minutes. Alex Abel made a good run, and a couple of tackles later, Alex Green forced his way over to give Wales the lead. Llewellyn Hawkes, fresh from scoring the winning try in a rugby union final for WRL partners Neath on the weekend, couldn’t land the conversion.
From kick-off, Wales scored their second via a dash from Dylan Morgan that started beyond the half-way line. Mason Phillips added the conversion, then a penalty to put the score on to 12-0.
RAF hit back on 25 minutes with a try from Luke Broadbent converted by Cameron Lees.
But Wales went into half time in the ascendancy after another strong run, this time on the opposite wing, as Lewis Howells scored another great try.
Immediately, that was followed up by Hawkes setting up Lewis Ingram to go in under the sticks. Phillips converted both to give Wales a 22-6 half-time lead.
Thirteen minutes into the second half, Howells ran through for his second try of the game with Phillips converting.
Then, player of the match Ingram went over for his second with ten minutes remaining to complete the Welsh scoring.
But the last word went to the RAF. Wales captain Jacob Purcell was sinbinned for a high tackle and RAF took advantage of the extra man when Broadbent went over for his second try, with Ewan Makinson converting as the whistle blew.
WALES STUDENTS
1. Lewis Ingram (Swansea University)
2. Lewis Howells (University of Nottingham)
4. Mason Phillips (University of Lancashire, capt)
3. Alex Abel (Loughborough University)
21. Dylan Morgan (Cardiff and Vale College)
6. Mason Apsee (University of Gloucestershire)
14. Llewellyn Hawkes (Cardiff Metropolitan University)
8. Alex Green (Cardiff Metropolitan University)
9. George Groves (University of Gloucestershire)
10. Jacob Purcell (Cardiff Metropolitan University, vc)
23. Scott Simons (Cardiff Metropolitan University)
12. Alex Thorpe (Swansea University)
13. Kavan Phillips (Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni)
Subs:
7. Tom Moore (Swansea University)
20. Leo Jones (University of Exeter)
16. Kian Lloyd (Loughborough University)
18. Jarad Hughes (Cardiff University)
15. Sam Chaloner (Cardiff University)
19. Jacob Wallace (Neath College)
17. Olly Darlington (Cardiff University)
RAF
1 Nick Slaney
2 Jerome Chipondene
3 Luke Broadbent
4 Conor Cleary
5 Finn O’Brien
6 Cameron Lees
7 Finn Curtis
8 James Hague
9 Matthew Littler
10 Adam Potter
11 James Crabb
12 John Young
13 Ewan Makinson (c)
14 Declan O’Leary
15 Lewis Butler
16 Patrick Evans
17 Adam Middleton
