A 14-14 draw against England, top seeds in the pool, gave Wales a great start and consecutive victories against Argentina and Portugal ensured a top eight finish and their first points on the IRB log.
A second-half fightback helped Wales to a great draw against the English. Down 14-0, the men in red finished the stronger of the teams. James Harris started the fight back with a brilliant try with three minutes to go. The Dragons Academy player outfoxed the England defence on a 50-metre run when he swerved inside and outside to score under the posts.
Aled Thomas converted and Wales were back in the game. From a lineout soon after, Tal Selly scored when he broke the line and ran 40 metres. Thomas converted. England had one more go, but a great covering tackle by Martyn Thomas saved the game for Wales.
Against Argentina, Wales could not capitalize on some good play in the first half and surrendered the lead on the buzzer, but claimed the winner with a minute to go to win 10-7. Wales benefited from a yellow card to Santiago Gomez Cora and capitalized on the numbers as Jonathan Edwards scored.
Wales controlled most of the play for the reminder of the half but lost concentration and allowed Argentina to score after a quick penalty. The try was converted and suddenly it was Argentina in front at the break.
Wales struck back after some great play late in the second half when Lee Williams scored in the corner after huge work done by Richie Pugh and Lee Beach.
Wales piled on the pressure from the start in their match against Portugal. Martyn Thomas struck early with a great run-in to put his side 5-0 up. Portugal scored to equalize, but Wales responded immediately.
Rhodri McAtee’s good off-load to Aled Thomas saw the Dragons player score his side’s second try. Good defence, with McAtee putting his body on the line on numerous occasions, kept a number of Portugese attacks at bay, before a late Jonathan Edwards try closed out the game for Wales. The Llanelli player was on the receiving end of a great pass from Selley and ran in unopposed.
