Weisner drop goal hat-trick boosts Irish

IRELAND'S Rugby League side got their European Nations Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 25-12 victory over Wales at Aberavon yesterday.

Despite a slow start Ireland opened the scoring through Phil Cantillon after 21 minutes and three tries in seven minutes just before half-time effectively sealed victory. Tony Stewart, Carl De Chenu and Stuart Littler touched down to send Ireland into the interval with an 18-0 lead.

Littler extended Ireland's lead early in the second-half but a Welsh rally, which saw them score two converted tries in as many minutes, reduced the deficit to 22-12 as the game reached it's final quarter.

However, Ireland recovered well and a hat-trick of drop goals from Pat Weisner secured victory for the Irish who now need just a draw against Scotland to go through to the final on November 7.

IRELAND: Stewart, De Chenu, Littler, Maye, Dowling, Fitzpatrick, Weisner, Southern, Cantillon, Bates, McConnell, Cassidy, Gallagher.

WALES: Gibson, O'Hare, Tassel, Hughes, Powell, Lennon, Watson, Hudd, Clarke, Dean, Thomas, James, Pugh. Subs: A. James, Strong, Ellis, Davies.