Wales U20 overcome in Newcastle

The visitors dealt well with early aerial bombardment from the hosts, particularly the back three of wings Ryan Conbeer, Rio Dyer and fullback Carwyn Penny – often returning England’s advances with interest.
 
Wales looked good in attack and had the better of the possession in the opening 10 minutes. When they played advantage for a knock-on, scrum-half Harri Morgan chipped into the English 22 and saw the ball latched onto by Dyer, who was hauled down desperately close to the try-line.
 
Morgan then directed the Welsh pack onwards, and then sniped over for the first try of the game (and his second in as many matches) for a 5-0 lead in the 12th minute.
 
England fly-half James Grayson struck a penalty to narrow the gap, then as the first quarter came to a close, scrum-half Ben White capitalised on home pressure in the Welsh 22 to score a try and take the lead for the first time. 8-5.
 
Grayson kicked another penalty to extend that lead near the half-hour. England proceeded to pile on the pressure after that, allowing centre Cameron Redpath to cross for his side’s second try, converted by Grayson. 18-5.  
 
Conbeer and centre Ben Thomas opened the second half by combining well down the left wing. However, Wales lost possession and some impressive feats of pace and power down the right wing from Gabriel Ibitoye scored England another try. Grayson converted for a 25-5 lead.
 
It was then the turn of England U20s’ other wing, Jordan Olowofela, to cross for a fine solo effort, albeit this time it was a pure display of speed rather than strength. Grayson again converted. 32-5.
 
Wales still displayed enough pluck in attack, and indeed defence, with Rio Dyer constantly showing his desire to cross for a try on debut. Then, with seven minutes left, he did just that: a fantastic cross-field kick from fly-half Cai Evans found Dyer, who beat his opposite number in the air and then ground the ball after stepping an oncoming defender. 
 
Evans followed up his pin-point kick to the corner with an excellent conversion to make it 32-12, but with two minutes remaining England openside Aaron Hinkley made the final imprint on the scoreboard when he touched down.
 
Despite the scoreline, the Welsh coaches will be encouraged by the never-say-die attitude of their players, many of whom are still eligible to play at U18 level, and will look forward to a fortnight of good training before flying to Dublin.