Dramatic victory for Wales U20s:
WALES snatched a dramatic victory over England at Colwyn Bay’s Stadiwm Zip World in the Under-20 Six Nations when super-sub Deon Smith crashed over in the final minute.
The outside-back took three defenders with him after bursting on to a clever pass from replacement outside-half Sam Costello for an unconverted try.
England had led 3-0 and 10-6 – Wales had temporarily nudged ahead through the boot of starting No.10 Cai Evans in the second half – and seemed to have wrapped it up through Connor Doherty.
The centre thought he had made the game safe but the try was disallowed for off-the-ball obstruction on Wales replacement scrum-half Dan Babos.
Fellow centre Tom de Glanville, the son of former England captain Phil de Glanville, had made the opening try of a largely disappointing affair with just 11 minutes remaining.
He had run a lovely line to go outside Wales prop Ed Scragg and inside lock Teddy Williams to set up substitute back-rower Rusiate Tuima for fullback Josh Hodges to convert to give England a fourpoint advantage.
Wales could only win it with a try and it came after the match clock had entered the red zone when Smith came up trumps.
“It was one of those things you can’t really describe,” said the Dragons product. “We said, as a squad, it was going to be a long shift. England were a good side but we showed what we can offer.”
It was only Wales’ third triumph over England in 11 attempts since the creation of the Under-20 Six Nations. They are third in the table, a point behind France and five adrift of unbeaten leaders Ireland.
Sale Sharks’ outsidehalf Kieran Wilkinson had given England the lead in the fourth minute with a penalty after Wales illegally pulled down a dangerous driving maul.
The first half certainly wasn’t much to write home about with England failing to make the most of possession.
Evans cleverly used the strengthening wind to knock over a penalty in the 56th minute, aiming outside an upright and watching the ball being blown on-target banana style before giving Wales the lead with another.
England, through Tuima’s try, went ahead only to be mugged by Smith.