It was the visitors who opened the scoring with a 13th-minute try from number eight Christoph Stangl, converted by fly-half Brennig Prevost, for a seven-point lead.Â
Wales’ response was swift, as scrum-half Aron Hemmings wrong-footed the defence inside their 22 and found half-back partner Llew Smith, whose try was impressively converted by inside centre Scott Lloyd.Â
It took even less time for the hosts to score their next, with the Canadians scarcely able to get a finger on the pacy Tomi Lewis as the winger touched down for a blistering solo effort. Lloyd watched as his conversion attempt rebounded off both uprights before clearing the crossbar. 14-7.Â
Replacement Tom Hoppe had barely been on the field for more than a couple of minutes before touching down in the corner after a sweeping passage of play by his fellow Welsh backs. 19-7.Â
Not to be denied, the combative Canadians kept themselves in the hunt when blindside Owain Ruttan powered his way over the line. Those five points became seven thanks to Prevost’s impressive conversion and Wales now only held a slim 19-14 advantage.Â
A minute left in the first half, Wales fullback James McCarthy broke away from the chasing pack for a timely try and a ten-point lead for the hosts at half-time.Â
Wales then made an ideal start to the second half after a try from elusive wing Ioan Davies; Lloyd’s conversion making it two converted scores the difference between the two sides
Hoppe found himself on the scoreboard once again later on in the game, this time touching down under the posts for a simple conversion from Lloyd. It was then the turn of another young Welshman to notch up his second try of the night: this time Ioan Davies making his mark on proceedings. Lloyd’s superb conversion of the try took the scores to 45-14. Â
Time was almost up on the clock, but not before replacement scrum-half Harri Morgan managed to make an impact with a try down the right wing for a full-time score of 50-14 to Wales.Â
To Canada’s credit, they played with aggressive intent right to the final whistle, and the Welsh coaches will have been delighted to see their team once again keep the opposition scoreless in the second half.Â
In other Day Two results, Scotland beat Italy 28-22, while a terrific battle between England and Ireland saw the Red Rose emerge 39-20 winners.Â
The final day of this year’s International Series comes this Sunday, with the teams facing off at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach. Commencing the action will be Italy v Canada (12:00), followed by Scotland v England (14:30), before a climactic clash between Wales and Ireland (16:15).Â
Tonight’s Wales U18 team:
15 James McCarthy (Dragons/Caerleon/Newport High/NHSOB)Â
14 Tomi Lewis (Scarlets/Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets Academy)Â
13 Ben Cambriani (Ospreys/Gower College/Gowerton)
12 Scott Lloyd (Scarlets/Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets Academy)
11 Ioan Davies (Blues/Glantaf/St Peter’s)
10 Llew Smith (Scarlets/Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets Academy)Â
9 Aron Hemmings (Scarlets/Llandovery College/Gwernyfed)Â
1 Tom Devine (Dragons/Coleg y Cymoedd/Senghennydd)Â
2 Lewis Ball (Dragons/Coleg Gwent/Newbridge)Â
3 Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets/Sir Thomas Picton/Narberth)Â
4 Callum James (Blues/Coleg y Cymoedd/Brecon)Â
5 Morgan Jones (Exiles/Denstone College/Hinckley)Â
6 Daniel Owen (RGC/Rydal/Cobra)Â
7 Tommy Reffell (Exiles/Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth/Pencoed)
8 Tane Basham (Dragons/Pontypool College/Talywain)Â
Replacements
16 Morgan Nelson (Exiles/Hartpury College/Hereford)Â
17 Rhys Davies (Scarlets/Coleg Sir Gar/Carmarthen Quins)Â
18 Ben Warren (Blues/Coleg y Cymoedd/Treorchy)Â
19 Cian Lewis-Hughes (Blues/Coleg y Cymoedd/Treorchy)
20 Lennon Greggains (Dragons/Newport High/NHSOB)
21 Callum Carson (Ospreys/Gower College/Gowerton)Â
22 Cai Evans (Ospreys/Cowbridge Comprehensive/Cowbridge)Â
23 Harri Morgan (Ospreys/Llangynwyd/Bryncethin)Â
24 Dewi Cross (Ospreys/Neath Port Talbot College/Pencoed)Â
25 Tom Hoppe (Dragons/Newport High/NHSOB)Â
*Tickets will be available on the gate. They will priced at £5 for adults (free for U16s), for which supporters will be able to watch all three games on the day. Re-entry not permitted.
