Transatlantic Under 20s Quad Series – Second Match
The second match of the new series provided the same excitement and doubt as the first.
USA U20 team (Photo: USA Rugby)
This was excellent news for both nations, as they aim to extend and improve their pathways. The crowd saw 69 points posted, but the final margin was a single score.
The Eaglets opened their account with a try from close in by Lauren Dipasquale (0-7). This followed a dominating scrum that needed only a well-organised line-out for the prop to make her presence felt.
But Cymru responded with some delightful combined play, led by Maisie Davies and Savannah Picton-Powell, that saw Alaw Pyrs restore equality (7-7).
Davies, who was to play a big part in Welsh affairs, benefited from a blocking verdict at a line-out near the US line to power over for a second score. (12-7)
It was still warm enough for water-breaks.
A splendid break by Kelsie Webster took her side to the 5-metre line again; the ball spread wide for Hannah Lane to dive over in the left corner. 17-7
From there things went downhill for the hosts. Ava Reuter, now at No 8, picked up from a set-scrum and powered all the way to the line (17-12). The Americans were playing with elan now; Avery Morgan accelerated through a half-gap, but couldn’t get a scoring pass away in time.
Instead, they built the best move of the game thus far. Ashley Cowdrey produced a wonderful off-load, and her example was followed as the Eaglets built a threatening position. More fine passes out of tackles allowed Sereana Vulaono to cross in the right corner. If they could continue at this level, they could walk away with the result. 17-17
Just before the break Cowdrey pushed a tricky grubber through; Nel Metcalfe couldn’t take it cleanly on the artificial surface, Wales offended at the scrum, and Reece Woods put her side in the lead.
Half-time Wales 17 USA 24
It had been an absorbing contest, both sides showing attacking flair and invention.
It continued that way, Seren Singleton adding pace and wit at half-back for Wales. She tapped a penalty and was away. The Eagles’ defence just hauled her down on their 5-metre. Wales lost possession through over-haste, but their quick-wittedness gave defenders no time to clear their lines safely.
When a US scrum collapsed, Wales reacted sharply and Alaw Pyrs was over. (24-24) Now Wales pounded at the American line; finally it was the captain, Jess Rogers, who got over the line, though the referee had to dig low to see what had happened. (31-24)
The Eaglets responded with another inventive attack, Cowdrey once more showing her high skills with a back-door pass, but an unnecessary offence close to the line prevented a deserved score.
A weakness I spotted the last time I saw this US age-group side live, five years ago, now re-appeared: falling foul of the referee’s whistle. It undid so much of their good work, and Wales had players happy to take advantage.
It was Molly Wakely who benefited from a yellow card to force her way over and extend the hosts’ lead. Metcalfe hit a fine conversion (38-17). That was 21 points on the bounce since the break.
But huge credit to the Americans. From first phase they spread the ball to the right wing; Sereana Vulaono ran brilliantly to the line from her own half (38-31).
Though thirteen minutes remained, that was to prove the final score.
Both sides can be congratulated on providing some high-quality rugby. This was a game to satisfy the most demanding of managements. The crowd didn’t need encouraging. They supported their tams with full voice.
Result: Wales 38 USA 31
Player of the Match: Maisie Davies
Teams:
Wales
15 Nel Metcalfe 14 Kim Thurlow 13 Kelsie Webster 12 Savannah Picton-Powell 11 Hannah Lane 10 Freya Bell 9 Katie Bevans 1 Maisie Davies 2 Abi Meyrick 3 Cadi Lois Davies 4 Milly Summer 5 Alaw Pyrs 6 Lily Terry 7 Lucy Isaac 8 Jess Rogers (captain)
16 Molly Wakely 17 Stella Orrin 18 Lowri Williams 19 Evie Gill 20 Catrin Stewart 21 Seren Singleton 22 Hanna Marshall 23 Ffion Davies
USA
15 Ashley Cowdrey 14 Sereana Vulaono 13 Lionala Mayorga 12 Avery Morgan 11 Alopa Nau 10 Alissa Eisenhart 9 Kate Muldoon 1 Reece Woods 2 Erica Kissinger 3 Lauren Dipasquale 4 Lissa Salisbury 5 Cindy Taulava 6 Kendall Cunningham 7 Emma Haughey 8 Ashley Torres-Brown
16 Sofia Fernandez 17 Courtney Taylor 18 Akil Dougherty 19 Lennox London 20 Ava Reuter 21 Taylor Sadek 22 Paula Arrendondo-Almeida 23 Skylar Jordan
The next pair of games follow on 24 July.
