RUGBY LEAGUE STUDENT WORLD CUP – SCOTLAND 48 WALES 18

SCOTLAND 48 WALES 18

At St Marys Stadium, Sydney. Report by Sian Golden

Scotland won the battle of the Celts in the opening match of the Rugby League Student World Cup as they beat Wales 48-18 at St Mary’s Stadium, Sydney on Friday.

It was a fairly evenly matched first half in regards to possession but Scotland made more of it, leading 24-12 at the break.  Errors cost the Welsh youngsters dearly and enabled their opposition to finish stronger for them to gain a convincing first victory of the campaign, led by a hat-trick of tries for Liam Faughlin.

It was Wales that opened the scoring through skipper Ieuan Jones. Paul Emanuelli goaled to put them 6-0 up.

Scotland’s Matt Hogg struck minutes later but Callum Smithson failed to add the extras. Scott Plumridge then took Scotland into the lead with Hogg taking over the kicking duties and was successful.

Mike Downing was the next to ground, taking the score to 14-6 thanks to Hogg’s boot again and the Scottish onslaught continued through Niall Hall, Hogg again goaled.

Wales hit back to bring themselves within ten points as Connor Davies’ fine efforts through the half were rewarded with a try.  Emanuelli’s boot successful.

The first of Faughlin’s three tries came next as Scotland made a good start after half-time, the conversion was missed.

At the 50 minute mark, Luke Walters finished off a move from within Scotland’s own half and grounded, converted again by Hogg.

Then followed a second try to Faughlin, weaving his way through the Welsh defence and he grabbed his hat-trick after intercepting a Welsh kick metres from their own tryline, and running 100 metres to ground. Hogg kicked the extras both times.

Jarad Hinem scored a consolation Welsh try, but the damage had already been done. Emanuelli converted.

But Ethan Flowers finished off a successful Scottish second half by scoring from Hogg’s inside ball. Hogg converted.

Despite their young side, Wales showed strong performances by the likes of James Bartlett, Connor Davies and Jarad Hinem. Sion Jones also impressed by being a big influence to the inexperienced.

Wales’ next game is on Sunday, when they face England Students, who are captained by a Welshman – the Cardiff-born former Wales under 18 international Jacob Morgan. England lost their opening game 54-10 to Australia earlier today.

Scotland:

  1 Liam Faughlin
24 Mike Dowding
  3 Finlay Hutchinson
  4 Scott Plumridge
  5 Damien Genocchio
  6 Matt Hogg
20 Callum Smithson
17 Niall Hall
  9 Luke Walters
10 Gavin Reed
13 Justin Faughlin
  8 Luke Westman
11 Dan Turland

Subs:
  7 Dough Churnside
15 Toby Williams
21 Mark Cordeaux
12 Ethan Flowers

Tries: Matt Hogg (10), Scott Plumridge (17), Mike Downing (20), Niall Hall (23), Liam Faughlin (42, 56, 62), Luke Walters (50), Ethan Flowers (71)
Goals: Callum Smithson (0/1), Matt Hogg (6/8)

Wales

  1 Marcus Webb
  2 James Bartlett
  3 Ieuan Jones
  4 Aled Davies
  5 Adrian Chiama
17 Fraser Stroud
  7 Paul Emanuelli
  8 Sion Jones
  6 Curtis Davies
10 Rhys Davies
11 Jarad Hinem
15 Gethin Evans
13 Connor Davies

Subs:
22 Archie Snook
  9 Liam Rice-Wilson
16 Dan Crabtree
23 Blake Turner

Tries: Ieuan Jones (5), Connor Davies (28), Jarad Hinem (65)
Goals : Paul Emanuelli (3/3)