STUDENT RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP – FIFTH PLACE PLAY-OFF – WALES 28 IRELAND 16

STUDENT RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP – FIFTH PLACE PLAY-OFF

WALES 28 IRELAND 16

By Tony Dosen for www.RLWC2017.com at Windsor Sports Complex, Sydney

Wales Students secured fifth place in the 2017 World Cup after defeating Ireland 28-16 in an entertaining fifth place play off at Sydney’s Windsor Sports on Friday.

The Welsh made the most of their attacking chances – and of Irish errors – to ensure the win.

The Irish got off to a good start in the fourth minute after forcing a repeat set when prop Josh Crabtree crashed over from close range to score the opening try under the posts. Peter O’Neill converted to give Ireland an early 6-0 lead.

Four minutes later, Irish fullback Eddy Weaver lost the ball in a tackle when returning a clearing kick for Welsh half Paul Emanuelli to pounce on a loose ball and pass to winger Aled Davies for the first Welsh try – reducing the Irish lead to 6-4.

The Welsh then worked forward into field position on the back of successive penalties in the 14th minute for second rower Jarad Hinnem to burst through two defenders down the left hand blind to score his first try. Emanuelli landed the conversion to have Wales in front for the first time at 10-6.

After both sides’ forward packs fought an even battle in the rucks through the middle stages of the first half, the Welsh took advantage of an Irish turnover from an Emanuelli midfield bomb when Hinnem dashed away again down the left hand blind to score his second try.

Emanuelli added the extras to give the Welsh a 16-6 lead – which they held until the half time break as both sides created chances in the latter stages of the half to no avail.

Another Irish dropped ball at a ruck four minutes into the second half saw Welsh centre Marcus Webb pick up the ball from acting half at the ensuing scrum and outpace the sliding Irish defence to score untouched. Emanuelli’s conversion gave the Welsh a 22-6 lead.

Both sides then made long breaks from broken play to no avail over the next 10 minutes until Wales worked forward on the back of a penalty to switch play down the right hand side for winger James Bartlett to score in the corner.

Emanuelli converted from touch to give Wales what turned out to be a match winning 28-6 lead.

A long break by Irish captain Connor Phillips in the 63rd minute set up play for a shift to the left for a stab kick on the last tackle that took a ricochet and landed in place for winger Matt Connolly to score Ireland’s second try. O’Neill converted to cut the Welsh lead to 28-12.

As both sides continued to turn the ball over as the match headed into the final 10 minutes, Ireland had the final word when, on the back of a repeat set from a penalty, interchange hooker Adam Guilfoyle burrowed over from close range to score the final try of the match with five minutes left.

O’Neill converted to close out the 28-16 scoreline that the Welsh held to the final whistle to secure their first win for the tournament.

After the match, Emanuelli did not disguise how important it was for the Welsh to get a win to close out their World Cup campaign.

We’ve got a really young team”, Emanuelli told RLWC2017.com. “I think we learned a lot of lessons in our last three games.  We played three big, physical sides a lot older than us.  Ireland were big and physical today – but we just wanted it a little bit more. That’s all we’ve talked about these last couple of days.  Hopefully we’ve enjoyed the rest of the experience out here”, Emanuelli concluded.

WALES: Cobi Green, James Bartlett, Ieuan Jones, Marcus Webb, Aled Davies, Fraser Stroud, Paul Emanuelli, Dafydd Hellard, Curtis Davies, Blake Turner, Matt Davies, Jarad Hinen, Connor Davies. Subs: Liam Rice-Wilson, Harry Boots, Gethin Evans, Archie Snook, Sion Jones, Dan Crabtree, Rhys Davies

Tries: Aled Davies (8), Jarad Hinnem (14, 22), Marcus Webb (44), James Bartlett (54)

Goals: Emanuelli 4/5

IRELAND: Eddy Weaver, Jordan Hylton, Alan McMahon, Elliot Munnelly, Matt Connolly, Peter O’Neill, Joe Furlong, Josh Crabtree, Connor Phillips, Ed Tait, Roy Stanley, Matt Cahohn, Richie McHugh. Subs: Peter Ryan, Adam Guilfoyle, Sam Boyd, Matt McKelvey, Ryan Guilfoyle.

Tries: Josh Crabtree (4), Matt Connolly (63), Adam Guilfoyle (75)

Goals: O’Neill 2/3

Referee: James Vella (New South Wales/Australia)

Half-Time 16-6.