WRU PRESS RELEASE
Issued: 21 March 2010
Scotland u18 3 Wales u18 30
Wales opened their under 18 international season with an emphatic win over Scotland at Melrose with a three try performance complemented by excellent goal-kicking from man-of-the-match and outside half Matthew Morgan.
This was an excellent physical display by the young Welsh side to which the Scots had little answer. The result was that Wales had a massive territorial and possession advantage in the first half, reduced after the break when Scotland coach Grant McKelvey made changes.
Wales matched their physical game with some sublime handling that gave wingers Eli Walker and Harry Robinson chances to show their pace.
"It was an excellent first half but we found it more difficult to play in the second half because we did not have the same continuity," said Wales head coach, Simon King.
Wales team manager Mark Taylor said : "It was a very good start to the season. To come up to Scotland and get a 30-3 result is great for the boys. Credit to Scotland, though , for hitting back in the second half" .
Wales magnificent start created a number of scoring opportunities but it was through the boot of Morgan that the visitors kicked their first points through outside half Morgan. Full back Harley Thompson added a further three points with a penalty from half way.
Then, after totally dominating possession and territory, Wales bagged their first try. The ball was fed wide to wing Eli Walker, who raced to the tryline. Morgan, who added the conversion, kicked a penalty before converting Wales' second try by centre Luke Williams from a clever loop move using set-piece possession.
Scotland, looking more competitive in the second half, were rewarded with a penalty goal from outside half Harry Leonard, but Wales finished strongly with a breakaway try from wing Harry Robinson, once again converted by Morgan.
Scorers
Scotland
Penalty: Leonard
Wales u18
Tries: Walker, Williams, Robinson
Conversions: Morgan (3)
Penalties: Morgan (2), Thompson
Scotland u18 Jamie Urquart (Dollar Academy); Andy Hall (Strathallan), Stuart Hogg (Heriot's), Jack Bradford (Worksop College), Mark Bennett (Cumnock); Harry Leonard (Brighton College), Jamie Stevenson (Whitgift); Ryan Hood (Strathallan), George Turner (Stewart's-Melville College), Gavin Robertson (Melrose Wasps), William Kay (Boroughmuir), Andrew Redmayne (Kilmarnock), Mitch Eadie (Filton College), Adam De St Croix (Boroughmuir), Andrew Nagle (Jed Thistle)
Replacements used: Michael Crawley (Stewart's-Melville College), Rory Sutherland (Hawick Wanderers), Murray McConnell (West of Scotland), Alex Allen (Sebergh School), Robin Hislop (Hawick Wanderers), Sam Knudson (Aberdeen Grammar), Ben Johnstone (Stewart's-Melville College)
Wales Under 18 : Harley Thompson (Blues); Harry Robinson (Blues), Luke Williams (Scarlets), Sam Campbell (Blues), Eli Walker (Ospreys); Matthew Morgan (Ospreys), Jonathan Evans (Dragons); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Kirby Myhill (Scarlets), Will Griff John (Blues), Cory Hill (Blues), Luke Hamilton (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Blues), Thomas Young (Capt, Blues), Dan Baker (Ospreys)
Replacements used : Jack Dando (Blues), Darran Harris (Blues), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Matthew Screech (Blues), Callum Thomas (Blues), Tom Habberfield (Ospreys), Joseff Griffin (Blues), Leighton Bellamore (Dragons)
Referee L Cardona (France)
ENDS
