Wales top Student Four Nations after beating Scotland
Wales have moved to the top of the Student Four Nations table, with a win over Scotland in Bray.
The game finished 34 – 7 in favour of the Welsh, with the men in red overcoming an early set-back, with Scotland scoring first.
The game was tight at the interval, with Wales leading 8-6. A second half surge from Wales saw them to victory.
They will now play England, who play Ireland on Tuesday evening, in their final game. If England beat the Irish, then their game with Wales will decide who wins the competition.
It was a less encouraging outcome for Scotland, who have now lost both their games so far in the tournament, after opening with a loss to England.
“We were outstanding in the first half but we lost a lot of energy after the break and stopped playing,” said Scotland coach Nathan Graham, a former Bradford and Scotland full-back.
“Some players went into their shells and we did a lot of dumb things defensively. I’m gutted for the lads because the core doesn’t reflect the whole game.
“If we could put the second half from the England game together with the first half from today we would be alright.
“Credit must go to our back rowers Gavin Grant and Dan Turland and Ollie Murray at loose forward, who have all played every minute of both games and been fantastic.
“Ollie was Man of the Match today – he was absolutely brilliant, and Niall Sydney was excellent at full-back too. They are both teenagers with a lot of potential.”
WALES 34 – 7 SCOTLAND
Half-time: 8-6
WALES: James Gahan (University of Gloucestershire), Jordan Thomas (Maesteg Comprehensive School), Curtis Davies (Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera), Yousif Sulliman (University of South Wales), Josh Williams (University of Gloucestershire), Efan Ellis (University of Wales Trinity St David), Marcus Webb (Bridgend College), Tom Davies (Newcastle University), Alec Wheatley (Swansea University), Fraser Robinson (University of Bath), Matt Davies (Hartpury College), George Giles (University of Gloucestershire), Osian Phillips (University of South Wales). Subs: Rhys Davies (Coleg Gwent), Nathan Rainer (University of Gloucestershire), Connor Davies (Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera), James Exley (University of Bath).
Tries: T.Davies (24, 42), Webb (29), Robinson (62), Williams (69), Gahan (72)
Goals: M.Davies 5/7
SCOTLAND: Niall Sidney (Gateshead College), Sandy Rae (Gateshead Academy), Charlie Leaske (Gateshead College), Finlay Hutchison (Newcastle University), Jordan Parry (Sheffield Hallam University), Finn Murphy © (St Andrews University), Ryan Lee (University of Gloucestershire), Sam Herron (Hull College), Jamie Park (University of Bath), Callum Wishart (Loughborough University), Gavin Grant © (University of Bath), Dan Turland (Sheffield Hallam University), Oliver Murray (Blackpool & Fylde College. Subs: Rob Wilson (University of Bath), Angus Grindlay – Westhill Academy), Doug Heseltine (University of Leicester), Callum Heseltine (Nottingham Trent University).
Tries: Leaske (6)
Goals: Murphy 1/1
Drop-goal: Lee
Fixtures:
Tuesday 16th June – Ireland v England (6pm)
Friday 19th June – England v Wales (noon), Ireland v Scotland (4pm)