Under-18s sweep aside challenge of the Canucks

WALES’ U18 rugby union team made it back-to-back victories in this year’s International Series after a convincing 50-14 win against Canada.

The visitors drew first blood at Parc y Scarlets just after 10 minutes. Number eight Christoph Stangl crossed for the opening score of the game, which was comfortably converted by fly-half Brennig Prevost, to give the Canadian’s an early 7-0 lead.

Undeterred, the Welsh players hit back almost instantly. Wales’ scrum half Aron Hemmings beautiful sidestep saw him break free of the Canadian defence before offloading to Llew Smith to score the try. Insidecentre Scott Lloyd stepped up and converted the difficult kick to level the scores inside 20 minutes.

That try spurred the Welsh on, and two more tries followed in quick succession.

Winger Tomi Lewis used his blistering pace to weave through the visiting team to score a superb solo try to make the score 12-7 before Lloyd’s conversion went over after hitting both posts on its way. Tom Hoppe added Wales’ third try less than five minutes after his introduction following a good display of ball control from all the Welsh backs.

Lloyd’s missed conversion sprung the Canadians back into life as they hit back in what was a thrilling firsthalf of rugby.

Blindside Owain Rutton went over for Canada before Prevost cooly added the extra two points to bring the score to 19-14 as half-time loomed.

There was still time for Wales to add another try before the break, though. Full-back James McCarthy got over the gain line and broke free from the Canadian pack to give the home side a 10-point cushion at the break.

Unlike the first 40 minutes, the second was very one-sided. A second-half double from tricky winger Ioan Davies came either side of Hoppe’s second try of the game, all of which were converted by Lloyd to give Wales a 45-14 lead.

Despite multiple chances for the visitors, the Welsh defence held firm throughout the half, and for the second time in two games they went an entire half without conceding a single point.

The icing on the cake came just before the clock went red courtesy of replacement scrum-half Harri Morgan, whose try down the right rounded off a good day for the home side in Llanelli.

Wales now play Ireland, who lost 39-20 to England in their previous game, at Ystrad Mynach tomorrow (4.15pm).