Wales U19s lose in Ireland

Ireland U19 levelled the two-match series against Wales on Saturday with a convincing 36-10 win in Belfast.

With just two changes to the Ireland side and three to the Wales side since their last encounter in August, which ended in a 26-22 to win for the Welsh, the two sides knew each other well.

A similar close encounter was expected, but that wasn’t the case as Ireland dominated to achieve only their second win against Wales at this level.

Ireland drew first blood when skipper Tom Ashurst scored in the corner, with the conversion attempt hitting the post.

It was soon 10-0 as Luke Fisher went over and James Farrar was on target this time with the extras.

Wales finally got onto the board on 25 minutes when Ethan Williams scored an unconverted try, but Ireland went into half-time time 16-4 to the good as Lewis Wings got a typical try that lived up to his own name. Farrar converted.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Ireland extended their lead with a Fisher try that Farrar converted.

Wales were given some hope six minutes later when Alfie Bowman forced his way over for a try that Junior Westwood converted.

But Ireland, knowing they now could be in a game, after being awarded a penalty from the restarted, decided to go for goal and Farrar kicked well to increase their lead to 24-10.

And the Hull Kingston Rovers full-back cemented Ireland’s win with a try of his own on 70 minutes, converting it himself for his fifth goal of the game.

Sean Murray rubbed salt into the Welsh wounds with a try in the final move of the game that Farrar improved.

Ireland: James Farrar (Hull Kingston Rovers), Lewis Wing (Hull Kingston Rovers), Jake Parkes (Hull Kingston Rovers), Daniel Coop (Rochdale Mayfield), Matt Cahill (Sherwood Wolf Hunt), Sean Murray (Hindley), Tom Ashurst (Warrington Wolves, captain), Jamie Gill (Bradford Bulls), Reece Boyd (Hindley), Luke Fisher (Telford Raiders), Adam Quinn (Longhorns), Harry Murphy (Dublin City Exiles), Conlan Mawson (Bradford Bulls). Subs: Byron Carolan (Dublin City Exiles), Patrick Houston (Huddersfield Giants), Leon Wallis (Dewsbury Celtic), Shane Clarke (Longhorns), Ben Mulvany (Dublin City Exiles), Ross Mackey (Dublin City Exiles), Thomas Forde (Galway Tribesmen).

Tries: Ashurst (7), Fisher (12, 52), Wing (40), Farrar (70), Murray (80)
Goals: Farrar 6/7

Wales: Henry Parker (Salford Red Devils), Ethan Williams (Cynon Valley Cavaliers), Oliver Ford (Salford Red Devils), Sam Roberts (Warrington Wolves), Jacob Jones (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Junior Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Charlie Stoddart (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Alfie Bowman (Castleford Tigers), Dafydd Morgan (Leeds Beckett, captain), Alex Green (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Kaden Johnson (Warrington Wolves), Sam Grice (Castleford Tigers), Jake Nottingham (Warrington Wolves). Subs: Jayden Grey (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Luke Ingram (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Rhodri Jones (Rhondda Outlaws), Travis Tennant (Castleford Tigers), Kai Sengul (Aber Valley Wolves), Calum Jones (Rhondda Outlaws), Kade Woodward (Torfaen Tigers).

Tries: Williams (22), Bowman (58)
Goals: Westwood 1/2

Referee: Eamonn Whelan
Half-time: 16-4