The victory gives the host nation the favourites tag ahead of the Saturday’s showdown where they’ll meet the USA after their impressive revival against Canada saw the Americans running out 38-20 winners victors. Wales will now play Canada in the consolation final on Saturday.
The final scoreline doesn’t do justice to a dogged Welsh side but a lack of cutting edge ultimately proved decisive as England always grabbed their opportunities with glee.
England set down their marker early on with hooker Vicky Fleetwood easing the home side into a 5-0 lead after just 11 minutes. Fly-half Claire Garner converted to give the favourites a 7-0 lead.
With Wales’ defence holding firm throughout most of the first-half and England having to work hard in wet conditions the Red Roses bridgae had to wait until the 39th minute for their next score which came courtesy of Garner who stroked over a penalty, handing England a 10-0 lead at the break.
England centre Rose Fong made an immediate impact after the restart with a great individual effort which saw her make a good break thanks to Hoole turning over the ball in the midfield. Fong ran in with ease, and with Garner converting England then found themselves with a comfortable 17-0 lead.
Garner then added her own converted try, bringing her personal tally to 14 points for the evening, after England wore down Wales’ hardened defence with some sustained pressure.
Wales managed to claw back a penalty as full time drew nearer with scrum-half Yasmin Leung kicking the points, but England confirmed their dominance with their final try in extra time, via wing Sam Bree.
Wales: 15 Kerin Lake (Neath Athletic), 14 Charlie Murray (Neath Athletic), 13 Levi Hallett (Pontyclun), 12 Adi Taviner (Neath Athletic), 11 Paris Nicholas (Cardiff Quins), 10 Elinor Snowsill (Cardiff Quins), 9 Yasmin Leung (Caernarfon), 1 Alex Stokes ( Neath Athletic), 2 Lowri Harries (UWIC), 3 Amy Lawrence (Neath Athletic), 4 Sian Williams (Neath Athletic), 5 Shona Powell-Hughes (Neath Athletic), 6 Sioned Harries (UWIC), 7 Kathryn Joseph (Neath Athletic), 8 Vicky Owens (UWIC).
Replacements: 16 Sophie Mangano (Carmarthan), 17 Lorna Compton (Newport), 18 Sian Williams (Caernarfon), 19 Carys Thomas (Pontyclun), 20 Rosie Hutton (Whitland), 21 Katie Bevan (Pontyclun), 22 Rhianydd Morgan (Neath Athletic)
Under 20s Nations Cup playing schedule:
July 9th
Wales 3 USA 7
Canada 0 England 47
July 12th
Canada 11 Wales 16
England 42. USA 7
July 15th
Canada 20 USA 38
England 29 Wales 3
July 18th
Consolation Finals, 130pm
Final, 330pm
