Wales bid to make it a treble

WALES Under-18s will look to make it a hat-trick of wins when they end their 2017 Under-19 International Series against France on Saturday.

Geraint Lewis’s side produced a magnificent first half display and survived a late fightback to secure a famous 14-12 victory over England in Cape Town on Tuesday to make it two wins from two having beaten hosts South Africa 30-28 in their first game.

Wales took the lead in the fourth minute against England through Scarlets full-back Tomi Lewis, whose try was converted by Ben Thomas.

Lewis’ side continued to dominate and extended their lead before the break.

Thomas had two attempts to kick ling-range penalties, one from a metre inside his own half, to try to increase the lead, but both attempts were wide. But the Blues No.10 was right on the mark from the touchline after Scarlets tight head prop Kemsley Mathias crashed over in the corner on the stroke of half-time.

England were much improved after the restart, but struggled to break down Wales’ resolute defence as the young Dragons maintained their 14-0 lead at the interval.

Their efforts were eventually rewarded as replacement hooker Will Capon barged over the whitewash to score England’s first try in the 75th minute, which was converted Cameron Redpath.

And the front-row forward scored his side’s second try at the death, giving England the opportunity to claim a draw with the final kick of the match.

But Redpath’s conversion was off the mark as Wales secured their secured victory over England for the first ever time in the competition.

The win also clinched their second success against their arch rivals this year following their excellent 29-19 triumph at Ebbw Vale’s Eugene Cross Park in March.

It means Wales have won both of their matches in the series having already defeated hosts South Africa and they will look to make it three from three when they take on France. Wales U18: Tomi Lewis (Scarlets); Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Callum Carson (Ospreys), Scott Lloyd (Scarlets), Joe Roberts (Scarlets); Ben Thomas (Blues), Callum Morris (Scarlets); Jordan Walters (Ospreys), Morgan Nelson (Gloucester), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Lewis Ellis-Jones (Scarlets), Morgan Jones (Scarlets), Ben Fry (Hartpurty College), Tom Reffell (Leicester Tigers, captain), Taine Basham (Dragons) .Reps: Will Griffiths (Dragons), Joshua Reynolds (Dragons), Ben Warren (Blues), Joe Miles (Blues), Lennon Greggains (Dragons), Daniel Davis (Scarlets), Harri Morgan (Ospreys), Cai Evans (Ospreys).