U20 WOMENS INTERNATIONAL: WALES 8 - ENGLAND 26

On a sunny warm April afternoon, Parc Eirias welcomed future stars of the women’s game. Wales U20 played their English counterparts in front of an enthusiastic and vociferous crowd of around 500.

From the kick off it was clear that this was going to be a hard fought game with crunching tackles from both sides. Wales took and early lead through a penalty by Elinor Snowsill but an infringement soon after allowed England to equalize; Claire Garner kicking the goal.

The first half remained a close encounter with both sides penalized repeatedly for infringements in the contact area. Gogledd Cymru centre, Ceri Redmund and partner Adi Taviner were impressive but their penetrating runs were thwarted by a defiant English defence. An unconverted try, out wide, by England second row Harriet Mills put the visitors 8-3 ahead at the half time break. It was clear that this was going to be no walk over for the English side.

During the break, the crowd were entertained to an U15 sevens match between Colwyn Bay Mermaids and Sandbach with both teams providing a great advertisement for the community game.

Wales remained in contention in the second half. Even with the score at 19-8 the end result was uncertain.

England extended their lead at the beginning of the second half through a try by Hunt followed by a penalty by fly half Garner. Wales kept up the pressure with input from Gogledd Cymru substitutes Sian Williams and Yasmin Leung and in the 53rd minute a try by centre Taviner put the home team back in the game.

The game as sealed by a last minute break which put Lizell Heather over for a try. Final score 26-8

Scorers:
Wales: Try – Taviner; Pen – Snowsill
England: Tries: Mills, Hunt, Heather; Con: Garner; Pens: Garner (3)

Wales Team
15 Kerin Lake, 14 Charlotte Murray, 13 Adi Taviner, 12 Ceri Redman+, 11 Paris Nicholas, 10 Elinor Snowsill (C), 9 Natalie Watkins, 1 Alex Stokes, 2 Amy Lawrence, 3 Lowri Harries, 4 Sian Williams, 5 Sioned Harries, 6 Kathryn Joseph, 8 Vicky Owens, 7 Carys Thomas. Replacements: 16 Cory Toule, 17 Sophie Mangano, 18 Sian Williams+, 19 Yasmin Leung+, 20 Bethan Preece, 21 Levi Hallett, 22 Rhianydd Morgan.+ Gogledd Cymru Player