Eight-try Wales in first win in Tbilisi
WALES U20S .................... 54 SAMOA U20S ................... 20
WALES ensured they won’t finish bottom at the Under-20 World Cup in Georgia with a convincing bonus-point victory over Samoa.
They used their superior technique at the set-piece to gain control of the scrum and line-out to hold their opponents in a vicelike grip for most of an enjoyable encounter.
Flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes (2), wing Jared Rosser, No.8 Aled Ward, lock Sean Moore. substitutes Dane Blacker and Will Griffiths, and left-wing Joe Goodchild got Wales’ tries at a sun-blessed Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi.
Outside-half Ben Jones put over four conversions and his replacement Arwel Robson three.
Samoa had taken a six-point lead through two penalties from full-back Ricky Ene during a scrap to decide which country ended the pool stage of the tournament without a win.
But it was largely one-way traffic afterwards in the hot conditions as Wales bounced back from battling defeats to Australia and reigning champions England.
Four of their eight touchdowns came directly from scrums or line-outs as they turned the screw on Samoa.
It was only in the final quarter, when players tired in the heat and substitutions were made, that the game opened up.
Samoa wing Alexander PohlaMurray scored a spectacular try although it has to be said the attempted tackles of Wales fullback Phil Jones and centre Owen Lane left much to be desired.
When substitute prop Setu Enoka forced his way over with 12 minutes remaining for Ene to again convert they were just 13 points behind and had a real spring in their step.
However, that was the signal for Wales to go back up through the gears with outstanding flanker Will Jones winning a vital steal at the breakdown for scrum-half Blacker to race away for a touchdown.
It broke Samoa’s resolve with lock Griffiths and Goodchild putting more icing on the cake during a match refereed by former Ospreys scrum-half Jamie Nutbrown.
Wales’ next game will be in the fifth to eighth place play-offs on Tuesday, June 13, Wales U20s: Tries: Rosser, Ward, Lewis-Hughes (2), Moore, Blacker, Griffiths, Goodchild; cons: B Jones (4), Robson (3). Samoa U-20s: Tries: Pohla Murray, Enoka; cons: Ene (2); pens: Ene (2).