Bowl Semi Final, Japan 10 Wales 7
A close an exciting encounter saw the Japanese through to the bowl final as they edged past Wales. Although the score was low the game was end to end entertainment with a brave Welsh team giving as good as they got.
Japan 10
Tries: Takashi Kitutani, Wataru Ikeda.
Wales 7
Tries: Phil Edwards.Con: Emyr Lewis.
Bowl Quarter Final, Wales 17 Canada 10
Welsh captain Emyr Lewis was rewarded for his sterling service with a win over Canada in the second Bowl quarter final. Lewis set up a 7-5 halftime lead with a 50m run from his own 22m line before, with Canada’s defence converging and his stride shortening, he sent a long ball to an unmarked Gareth Bowen for a wonderful try. Canada closed the gap late with a strong try to Marco Di Girolamo but Lewis himself decided the issue when he dived over in the dieing moments.
Wales 17
Tries: Emyr Lewis, Gareth Bowen, Craig Richards.Con: Emyr Lewis.
Canada 10
Tries: Marco Di Girolamo 2.
Group Matches
Match 24, Australia 29 Wales 0
Wales came up against the awesome Australians, and soon realised how no side had managed to put points on the board. The home side once again thrilled the excitable home crowd with a perfect 29-0 victory…meaning they had scored 127 points in the group, and conceded none. Energex Reds Rugby College scholarship holder Peter Haynes caught the eye. Three times the Sunnybank speedster left Welsh defenders in his wake in what was his first appearance of the tournament.
Australia 29
Tries: Peter Hynes 3, Richard Graham, Tim Atkinson.
Con: Julian Huxley, Mat Rogers.
Wales 0
Match 16, USA 33 Wales 14
The Americans have proved that they can take on the big rugby nations in Sevens, and they did so again as they turned on the style in the Australian heat. As the skies darkened over Ballymore so did the mood of the visiting Welsh team as they went down 33-14 to the USA. Doubles to the powerful Mose Timoteo and speedy Ben Trautwein ended the Welsh challenge.
USA 33
Tries: Mose Timoteo 2, Ben Trautwein 2, Jason Raven.
Con: Jone Koroi 2,Mose Timoteo, David Fee.
Wales 14
Tries: Gavin Vaughn-Evans, Craig Richards.
Con: Emyr Lewis, Craig Richards.
Match 8, Papua New Guinea 33 Wales 17
Pure Polynesian flair was on display as Papua New Guinea trumped Wales- with a 33-17 win over the Dragons. Led by their brilliant skipper Paul Joseph the Papua New Guineans invention ran the Welsh ragged with a flamboyant display reminiscent of the Fijian team. His performance was matched by his counterpart, Welsh captain Emyr Lewis, who scored two tries.
PNG 33
Tries: Willie Rikis 2, Ian Leklek, Paul Joseph, Albert Kaupa.Cons: Paul Joseph 4
Wales 17
Tries: Emyr Lewis 2, Craig Richards Cons: Gareth Bowen.
Next round: Round 5. Wellington, New Zealand 8-9 February 2002.
