Hawkins sees red as U18s force SA draw

SA SCHOOLS A ......................... 31 WALES U-18S ............................. 31

WALES Under-18s scored four tries and had Joe Hawkins sent off as they played out a draw with South Africa Schools A in Paarl.

In what was a see-saw encounter Jake Morgan, Rhodri King, Luke Davies and Mason Grady scored tries with inside centre Tom Mathews immaculate off the kicking tee, contributing 11 points.

The hosts scored tries courtesy of Teague Loelley (2), Sonwako Sokoyi and Sibusiso Java with Jacques Rousseau also kicking 11 points.

The visitors made a breathtaking start taking only four minutes to open the scoring through full-back Morgan, with Matthews converting.

Wales were soon back in the home sides 22 after centre Bradley Roderick’s searing break. The South Africans infringed under pressure allowing Matthews to add another three points from the kicking tee.

After South Africa pressure, which saw prop Lewys Jones sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements, Loelly smashed his way over, with Jacque Rousseau converting.

The hosts were soon celebrating the second try from wing Sokoyi touching down, with Rousseau adding the extras. Wales hit straight back with Scarlets hooker King going over courtesy of a Welsh maul.

Mathews converted. but Rousseau levelled the scores with a penalty from in front.

Wales finished the half as they had begun with Davies touching down at the far righthand corner. Mathews converted.

South Africa came out firing in the early stages of the second-half scoring a length of the field try through Java.

Wales hit back with a stunning try of their own as right-wing Grady, the brother of Ospreys and Wales centre Cory Allen, ran in unopposed from 40 metres.

However, their lead was short lived as South Africa used their driving lineout to great effect once again as Loelley crossed for his second try. Wales scrum-half Ethan Lloyd was taken from the field on a stretcher, but allayed some fears by putting his thumb up as he was carried off.

The game ended on a sour note as Wales replacement Joe Hawkins was sent off for a shoulder to the jaw of a South African player. SA Schools A: Tries: T Loelley (2), S Sokoyi, S Java. Cons: J Rousseau (4). Pen: Rousseau.

Wales: Tries: J Morgan, R King, L Davies, M Grady. Cons: T Mathews (4). Pen: Mathews.