Match Report

Wales secured their second win over Ireland in a weekend after their A side won 32-24 on Sunday.

This follows the Welsh students 32-12 win over their counterparts from the Emerald Isle in Brisbane on Saturday morning.

Ireland took an early lead in Porthcawl through a Billy Treacy penalty which was given for off-side.

But Wales scored the opening try as soon as they'd regained possession when Mark Wheeler stormed through in the corner.

Ireland regained the lead straight away after Andy McGrory finished off a fine passing move with Treacy converting.

Wales battled forward again and scored a second try on the quarter hour through Trevor James following good work from Tyrone Mahoney.

The Welsh then took the lead straight away after Scott Bessant ran the length of the field to ground under the sticks. Paul Emmanuelli, who had scored the winning drop goal for Crusaders Colts only the day before, added the conversion.

But Ireland hit back again on 24 minutes after a fine run from Ross Barbour down the left hand side.

And they went into half-time with a four-point lead after Steve Nolan forced his way over with Treacy kicking the extras.

Wales levelled things five minutes after the interval when Mark Harvey fed Carl Thomas to score. Paul Emmanuelli's conversion attempt hit the crossbar before sneaking over.

However Ireland retained the ball from a short kick-off and immediately Kevin O'Riordan ran over the give Ireland the lead back and Treacy kicked the tricky conversion.

Wales had a try disallowed on 57 minutes when Mark Harvey was considered to be offside when catching a high bomb to ground while Ireland's Brendan Guilfoyle was also denied after receiving a forward pass before touching down. His team-mate Steve Nolan thought he'd scored as well but was short of the line.

Ireland kept attacking but a fantastic interception from Harvey turned the game and he ran 90 metres to score. Emmanuelli converted to give Wales a two-point lead.

Tyrone Mahoney added a further Wales try four minutes later that Emmanuelli converted again to secure the win.

Wales now take on England on July 19th at East Riding RLFC in Hull knowing that a win will give them their fifth championship in six years.

WALES A: 1. Scott Bessant (Newport Titans), 2. Matt Harvey (NPT Steelers), 3. Carl Thomas (Valley Cougars), 4. Christian Wills (Valley Cougars), 5. Trevor James (Blackwood Bulldogs), 6. Owen Jones (Newport Titans), 7. Paul Emmanuelli (Blackwood Bulldogs / Crusaders Colts), 8. Mark Wheeler (Newport Titans (capt)), 9. Tyrone Mahoney (Newport Titans), 10. Mark Jones (Valley Cougars), 11. Chris Williams (Bridgend Blue Bulls), 12. Anthony Lott (Newport Titans), 13. Dean Scully (NPT Steelers), 14. Martin Vaughan (Torfaen Tigers), 15. Paul Boden (NPT Steelers), 16. Lloyd O'Connor (Bridgend Blue Bulls), 17. Richard Davies (Newport Titans), 18. Elliot Kear (Cardiff Demons / Crusaders Colts)
Tries: Wheeler (6), James (15), Bessant (19), Thomas (46), Harvey (69), Mahoney (73)
Goals: Emmanuelli 4/6

IRELAND A: Ross Barbour, Andy McGrory, Mike Brodie, Wayne Kelly, Barry Sheehan, Billy Treacy, Alan McNamara, Brian Rush, Eric Roberts, Steve Nolan, Sean Hennessy, Graeme Maher, Kevin O'Riordan. Subs: Brendan Guilfoyle, John Bagnall, Mark O'Neill, Carl Roche, Brian Gill.
Tries: McGrory (10), Barbour (24), Nolan (38), O'Riordan (48)
Goals: Treacy 4/5

Referee: Ian Curzon (England)
Half-time: 14-18

article by Ian Golden
6 July 2008