Baby Blacks too strong for Welsh

WALES crashed to a 37-14 defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the opening Division A game of the U19 World Cup in Belfast.

Three early tries by Robert Fruean put the favourites on top but Wales rallied to give them a scare, with Gareth Owen and Ryan Bevington scoring tries.

But Kade Poki, Ryan Crotty and Luke Braid added second half tries as the Baby Blacks eased to victory.

In other Division A games, South Africa beat Fiji 36-5 and Argentina cruised to victory over Japan 41-8.

The Wales-New Zealand game also made history as Australian touch judge Sarah Corr became the first female official at any men’s World Cup tournament.

Other Division A results: England 20 Samoa 12; France 11 Scotland 6.