Wales U21s make winning start

Wales got their Under-21 World Championship campaign off to a winning start at Netherdale, running out 46-11 victors against Russia.

The win was not as convincing as the scoreline suggests, however.

Under sullen skies the generous local Galashiels crowd was treated to a match of genuine quality, pitting a tight and well-drilled Russian side against a clinical Welsh line up.

The Russian pack was predictably strong but they allied some slick handling to their usual doggedness and revealed some quick drives from well-oiled set pieces.

This new edge to their game, embodied by compact hooker and captain Alexei Yandolskiy, made for a much closer match than expected and they might have pulled off a surprise result against a young Welsh side if Russian kicker Igor Klyuchnikov had taken his chances.

Instead, the Russians’ failure to capitalise on scoring opportunities saw them beaten into submission by some slick Welsh back play.

Wales scored first but it was against the run of play. Centre Gavin Evans crossed on the right after Gavin Quinnell had used his substantial power to take the ball up the left.

A second try followed, punishing another Russian handling error in midfield. Man of the match centre Steven Ireland latched on to a loose ball to put right wing Matthew Nuttall over in the corner.

The Russians’ only reward for their enterprise was a sole penalty to Klyuchnikov, leaving the Welsh 15-3 ahead at half-time.

The second half saw more of the same from the Russians. They were well-drilled in defence and visibly comfortable as a unit and did score soon after the break, wing Yandolsky going over in the corner.

Wales hit back through Ricky Williams and a second penalty by Klyuchnikov made the score 20-11, a far cry from what it might have been had he not missed his other five attempts up to that point.

His frustration and embarrassment was spared slightly by a late try spree from Wales that took the score to a margin that flattered the Welsh slightly.

Full-back Williams completed a hat-trick and Tom Brown and Jonathan Edwards touched down to take the score to an improbable 46-11.