WALES U21’S GET THE BALL ROLLING

Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions Published 10:11 am 5th Feb 2005 News

Though, England took the second half by 18-5 it was too late to catch Wales, who avenged their three losses to England last season. England led through a Ross Broadfoot penalty, but Wales then had a golden spell of 13 points in five minutes. Neath prop Cai Griffiths put Wales ahead with a try converted by fly half Matthew Jones (Ospreys) and the latter added two penalty goals. When England lost lock Sean Cox – yellow-carded after a stamp – flanker Rhys Shellard (Pontypridd) and left wing Chris Czekaj (Cardiff) scored tries and Jones converted them both. Though Broadfoot kicked a second penalty, Czekaj scored a fine second try before England at last put it together with three tries resulting from flankers Tom Rees and James Haskell and wing James Wellwood.

Wales U21: (27) 32:
Tries: Griffiths, Shellard, Czekaj 2
Cons: Jones 3
Pens: Jones 2

England U21: (6) 21:
Tries: Rees, Haskell, Wellwood
Pens: Broadfoot 2
Att: 5,600

Wales U21: Ricky Williams (Newport); Aled Brew (Ospreys/Neath), Andrew Bishop (Neath), Gavin Evans (Scarlets/Llanelli), Chris Czekaj (Cardiff); Matthew Jones (Ospreys), Wayne Evans (Carmarthen Quins); Scott Roberts (Bridgend), Duane Goodfield (Pontypridd), Cai Griffiths (Neath/Ospreys), Alun Wyn-Jones (Swansea), Ian Evans (Neath), Chris Davies (Bridgend), Rhys Shellard (Pontypridd), Jonathan Mills (Scarlets, capt)

Replacements: Rhys James (UWIC), Ross Davies (Newbridge), Phillip Osborne (Cardiff), James Merriman (Hartpury Coll/Gloucester), Tom Smith (Neath), Aled Thomas (Carmarthen Quins), Rhodri McAtee (Penzance)

England U21 (from): Backs: Bedford (Saracens), Broadfoot (Leicester), Cornwell (Leicester), Davis (Bath), Foden (Sale Sharks), Morgan (Gloucester), Varndell (Leicester), Wellwood (Wasps), Whatling (Worcester). Forwards: Blaze (Worcester), Briggs (Rotherham), Cox (Sale Sharks), Cracknell (Harlequins), Croall (Saracens), Cusack (Leeds), Goodman (Bath), Halsall (Sale Sharks), Hampson (Leicester), Haskell (Wasps), Rees (Wasps), Smith (Bath), Ward (Bath)

Referee: Stefano Mancini (Italy)