Wales open Student Four Nations with win over Ireland
Wales opened their Student Four Nations campaign with a win over Ireland at Bray RFC, Dublin, at the weekend.
The Welsh students dominated the early exchanges, and took an early lead, but could never convert that into a commanding scoreline.
By the early stages of the second half, they were 20-0 up, but the Irish fought back hard, claiming two tries in five minutes.
The last 25 minutes of the game were scoreless, and Wales hung on to win.
Earlier in the day, England had opened their campaign with a 56-6 win over Scotland.
IRELAND 12 WALES 20 (Half-time: 0-16)
IRELAND: Vincent Morris (Nottingham Trent University), James Kennedy (NUI Galway), Shane Brennan (Maynooth University), Peter O’Neill (Athlone I.T.), Matthew Connolly (Colaiste Ide), Josh Dean (Manchester Metropolitan University), James Kelly (University College Dublin), Andrew Keating (Dublin City University), Connor Phillips (Queens University), Ryan Healy (Drogheda Institute of Further Education), Stephen Costello (Dun Laoghaire Further Education Institute), Jason Long (St Mary’s University), Elliott Munnelly (Nottingham Trent University). Subs: Shane Kelly (Dublin City University), David Heath (NUI Galway), John Healy (University College Dublin), Peter Ryan (Athlone I.T.).
Tries: S.Kelly (50), Phillips (55)
Goals: J.Kelly 2/2
WALES: James Gahan (University of Gloucestershire), Joe Bridger (University of South Wales), Jordan Howells (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Yousif Sulliman (University of South Wales), Fraser Robinson (University of Bath), Efan Ellis (University of Wales Trinity St David), Marcus Webb (Bridgend College), Morgan Evans (University of Bath), Alec Wheatley (Swansea University), Rhys Davies (Coleg Gwent), Matt Davies (Hartpury College), George Giles (University of Gloucestershire), Osian Phillips (University of South Wales). Subs: Curtis Davies (Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera), Connor Davies (Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera), Nathan Rainer (University of Gloucestershire), James Exley (University of Bath).
Tries: M.Davies (7), Bridger (12), Webb (14), Giles (46).
Goals: Webb 2/4
STUDENT FOUR NATIONS FIXTURES:
Tuesday 16th June – Wales v Scotland (2pm), Ireland v England (6pm)
Friday 19th June – England v Wales (noon), Ireland v Scotland (4pm)
