Words – Phil Hodgson. Pic – Simon Hall
Wales U19 lifted the inaugural Tony Dale Cup – named in honour of the man who did so much to develop Rugby League in Ireland, and who sadly passed away earlier this year – with a hugely impressive 22-12 victory over an outstanding Irish side at Featherstone Rovers.
It was just reward for a hard-working Welsh squad, 11 of whom had tasted honours in the past, winning Four Nations titles with the Wales U16 side, two of them, Finlay Walker and Isaac Holdsworth, late additions to the squad, helping the U16s to the title only this year.
This match, which was arranged by the Irish after the teams had both won on home soil, was very much in the balance until the closing stages, and certainly early in the second period, when the sides were level at 12-12.
Ireland went in front in the second minute, Tom Ashurst touching down after Wales had been unable to defuse a high bomb.
Westwood claimed a scintillating solo score some 16 minutes later after powerful prop Jacob Morris, who was a towering figure throughout, claimed possession with a trademark hit.
Adam Quinn hit back for Ireland but Ashurst was again unable to convert, and Wales duly went in at the break 12-8 ahead, Dafydd Morgan burrowing over after Ethan Williams had gone close and Westwood booting his second goal.
Ireland restored parity nine minutes after the restart but the influential fullback James Farrar, taking over the kicking duties from Ashurst, couldn’t convert Quinn’s second score. And jubilant Wales went on to have the better of the business end of the contest.
But a try on 56 minutes by Kaden Johnson, who finished off a sweeping move involving livewire stand-off Junior Westwood, gave the Welsh a lead they were destined not to lose.
Westwood added his third conversion and the Welsh established a real grip when, with 13 minutes remaining, Sam Grice powered over following incisive play by Walker and Westwood, who was wide with his conversion attempt for the first and only time.
IRELAND: James Farrar, Lewis Wing, Adam Quinn, Daniel Coop, Matt Cahill, Sean Murray, Tom Ashurst, Jamie Gill, Reece Boyd, Lewis Wallis, Harry Murphy, Patrick Walsh, Conlon Manson. Subs: Jamie Ridpath, Patrick Houston, Jack Brown, Eugene Tinubu.
WALES: Ethan Williams, Travis Tennant, Jacob Jones, Jake Nottingham, Kaden Johnson, Junior Westwood, Charlie Stoddart, Alfie Bohman, Dafydd Morgan, Jacob Morris, Sam Grice, Callum Jones, Kade Woodward. Subs: Finlay Walker, Alex Green, Henry Parker, Isaac Holdsworth, Luke Ingram.
Referee: Luke Bland
