WALES WOMEN CLIMB TO TOP OF THE TABLE
WALES leapt to the top of the Women’s Rugby League European Championship B North table after beating Italy 60-0 in their inaugural testranked win.
It was a solid performance from the Welsh and also a good effort from the plucky Italians who were close to scoring a couple of times in the second half.
Injuries kept Seren Gough-Walters and Leanne Burnell out of the side and their absences were two of four changes Tom Brindle made, with Lauren Aitken and Joeann McGuire returning, with debutants for AnneMarie Sayle and Katie Carr, the latter joining her twin sister in the side.
Italy made just the three changes, all debutants of course, with this being just their second ever match Silvia Gai, Ludovica Gurrieri and Giuliana Zaffarana coming in for their first cap.
Wales attacked from the off and took the lead in the fourth minute when Rosie Carr scored in the corner. Amberley Ruck, who got engaged at the Stereophonics concert in Cardiff two days earlier, couldn’t land the conversion.
Eleri Michael slipped through to double the lead on eight minutes, which again went unconverted.
Wales could have scored a third try immediately after… twice. First, Charlie Mundy was held up over the line, then Emily Hughes spilled the ball when tackled just a couple of metres out. Mundy was denied again on the 20 minute mark after receiving a forward pass.
It took until the 29th minute for Wales to get their third. Emily Hughes stormed through and her London Broncos team-mate Kathryn Salter converted.
Italy looked to get a try back before the break, but after being scuppered near to the line, Wales were awarded a scrum. From that, Brittony Price slipped through the Italians and ran 80 metres to score under the posts. Salter converted to give Wales a 20-0 lead at half-time.
Wales extended their lead five minutes after the restart as former Wales netball international Fern Davies raced under the sticks. Salter easily converted.
Italy started to look dangerous for the first time in the game. Taking advantage of a dropped ball, Virginia Pinarello was close to scoring. Evading being pulled into touch, she laid the ball off to Rebecca Pantaleoni, but she dropped the ball as she was diving for the line.
A length of the field set led to Wales next try. Davies set up Price who sprinted through to score. Salter converted well to put the score onto 32-0.
From the next set after kick-off, Bryonie King forced her way over the line and Salter again kicked the goal.
Price was next to score for Wales, completing her hat-trick. Salter couldn’t land the kick but Wales were 42-0 up.
A 40 metre run from Joeann McGuire was Wales’ ninth try of the afternoon, which was quickly followed by one from Carys Marsh, both of which were converted by Salter.
A try from Anne-Marie Sayle in the corner completed proceedings. Salter added the extras to bring up the 60.
Wales head coach Tom Brindle said: “We came into the game with an intent that we wanted to put a performance in that was reflective of our gameplan. We did for 70 minutes today so I’m very happy. I’m pleased about how we played today, that the girls stuck to what they needed to do and delivered a really good team performance.”
Italy full-back Rebecca Pantaleoni said: “It’s obvious that we need to keep working. It’s good to be on a European platform, and to improve with each game we need practise. We all come from different types of rugby backgrounds, we’re developing and I think we’ve been doing some really good stuff.
“We’re looking forward to the next games in October so we’ll keep working with our clubs and come back then.” WALES 1 Eleri Michael (Bridgend Blue Bulls*) 2 Anne-Marie Sayle (Castleford Tigers) 3 Kathryn Salter (London Broncos) 4 Rosie Carr (Bridgend Blue Bulls*) 5 Brittony Price (Bridgend Blue Bulls*) 6 Amberley Ruck (Cardiff Blue Dragons*) 7 Rhi Parker (Cardiff Blue Dragons*) 8 Lauren Aitken (Cardiff Blue Dragons*) 9 Carys Marsh (Wigan Warriors) 10 Emily Hughes (London Broncos) 11 Bryonie King (Rhondda Outlaws, capt*) 12 Charlie Mundy (Cardiff Blue Dragons*) 13 Bethan Dainton (British Army) Subs (all used): 14 Molly Reardon (Rhondda Outlaws*) 15 Joeann McGuire (Rhondda Outlaws*) 16 Fern Davies (Warrington Wolves) 17 Katie Carr (Bridgend Blue Bulls*) *Also Cardiff Demons Tries: R Carr (4), Michael (8), Hughes (28), Price (40, 53, 61), Davies (46), King (57), McGuire (72), Marsh (75), Sayle (79) Goals: Ruck 0/2, Salter 8/9 ITALY 1 Rebecca Pantaleoni (Phoenix Rugby Verdello) 2 Rwan Hassnien (Phoenix Rugby Verdello) 3 Giulia Colangeli (Lignano Xlll) 4 Silvia Gai (Lignano Xlll) 5 Ludovica Gurrieri (Vittoria Rugby) 6 Giada Arzenton (Lignano Xlll) 7 Alessandra Menotti (Lignano Xlll) 8 Rosa Bettolati (Phoenix Rugby Verdello) 9 Martina Dall’ Antonia (Lignano Xlll) 10 Marika Ascione (Phoenix Rugby Verdello) 11 Marvin Severgnini (Phoenix Rugby Verdello) 12 Giulia Iozzia (Vittoria Rugby) 13 Virginia Pinarello (Lignano Xlll, capt) Subs (all used): 14 Giuliana Zaffarana (Vittoria Rugby) 15 Camila Giacomazzo (Lignano Xlll) 16 Siria Raisa (Lignano Xlll) 17 Altea Forto (Lignano Xlll) Referee: Fiona McConn (Ireland) Half-time: 20-0 Attendance: 410