Wales were 14-5 ahead at half-time but the schedule of three games in 10 days and the heat in Italy took their toll in the second half.
The statutory water breaks every 20 minutes would have been welcome by the visitors, but the hosts were far more comfortable in the conditions.
All of Wales’ points were scored by prop Maisie Davies, crossing for two tries and wing Nel Metcalfe crossing for a try and two conversions.
Liza Burgess, the Wales WU20s Head coach, stated ahead of this new competition that exposing players to this level of rugby and development were key.
Wales didn’t have it easy playing both France and England, widely regarded as two of the best teams in the world at this level, and Wales looked as if they were heading to a first win, but Italy proved too strong in the second half.
Five players – Metcalfe, co-captain Jess Rogers, wing Amy Williams, prop Cadi-Lois Davies and flanker Lucy Isaac – started all three games in the tournament.
While props Maisie Davies and Cadi-Lois Davies, lock Alaw Pyrs, fly-half Hanna Marshall, scrum-half Seren Singleton, who all trained with the extended senior Six Nations squad for the 2024 championship, were all named in the starting line-up.
The home side dominated the opening exchanges and were more comfortable with heat in Parma, but the Welsh defence held firm after being forced to defend their own line.
But it was Wales who opened the scoring after their first decent amount of ball and territory saw prop Maisie Davies crash over from short-range. Metcalfe added the conversion to make it 7-0 after 20 minutes.
Wales extended their lead with Maisie Davies’ second try after a quick tap penalty by scrum half Seren Singleton caught the home side napping. Metcalfe added her second conversion to double the visitors score.
Italy did make a breakthrough just before half-time with a try to make it 14-5 to Wales at half-time.
After the break, Italy clawed themselves back in the contest with two early tries as Wales struggled in the heat and were punished for some wayward and loose kicks.
Italy crossed for a fourth try as Wales wilted in the heat and started to fall off tackles against a side with a natural advantage of playing in the conditions.
Metcalfe crossed for Wales’ third try just on the whistle but Italy replied with one of their own to seal the win.
Wales would have learned much from the Summer Series and the players will have a chance to impress in the new home and away Celtic Challenge next season.
