Report: Wales U20 37-29 Scotland U20
2 Feb 2024Scotland U20 fell to defeat in Colwyn Bay on the opening night of the Under-20 Six Nations, giving a good account of themselves but ultimately losing 37-29 to Wales U20.
Scotland's Freddy Douglas is tackled by Morgan Morse of Wales during the 2024 Under 20 Six Nations Championship Round 1 between Wales U20 and Scotland U20 in Stadiwm CSM, Colwyn Bay, Wales, United Kingdom, Friday, February 2, 2024 (Photo by Laszlo Geczo / Inpho) It was a blustery evening at Stadiwm CSM, and Scotland played into the wind first half.
Wales got the game underway, but an early injury sustained by Tom Currie stopped play just shy of the two minute mark. He was replaced by Jonny Morris.
Wales thought they had got the scoring started through Harri Ackerman, as he collected Ieuan Davies’ pass and fought over, but the pass from Davies was deemed forward by the TMO and Scotland escaped.
An incredible effort from the forwards saw the boys-in-blue produce a 22 metre maul to crash over. It was hooker Elliot Young who dotted it down after a stellar effort from the away pack.
A penalty was awarded to Wales shortly after for Scotland not rolling away and Welsh stand-off Harri Wilde added the three points.
A series of well timed off loads close to the Scottish line, first from Wilde and then Ackerman, let Welsh fullback Huw Anderson to dive over the line on the 17th minute, adding another five points for the hosts.
A penalty awarded to Scotland close to the Welsh line let Isaac Coates kick to touch, and once again the forwards were in motion. Collected by Ruaraidh Hart in the line out, the ball got into the hands of back row Freddy Douglas, who powered over the line to get his first ever try on his Scotland U20 debut.
A quick penalty was taken by Ieuan Davies before the Scots were ready and the Welsh scrumhalf pierced through the defence and passed out to wing Walker Price who dived over in the corner.
Another try came for Wales in quick succession when Morgan Morse galloped his way past the Scots defence and crashed over the line. The conversion was made by Harri Wilde.
The Scots got their own back just two minutes later when after multiple excellent breaks, Elliot Young gathered the ball to once again score. Isaac Coates’ kick was good, adding the full points.
Half Time: Wales U20 20 – 17 Scotland U20
Scotland began the second half scoring when after a penalty advantage was awarded to the boys-in-blue and the ball was passed out wide from the ruck to Kerr Yule who leapt over the Welsh defence to dive under the posts. Isaac Coates made the conversion, bringing Scotland to four points ahead.
After about 15 mins of back and forth, Wales added another five points through their captain Harri Ackerman.
Another powerful shift from the Scotland forwards after a successful line out close to the five meter line let Freddy Douglas add another try to his Scotland U20 debut roster.
Ten minutes before full time, Alex O’Driscoll was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on.
Shortly after, a looping pass from Wales’ Harri Ford out the wing let Walker Price add another try in the corner. The kick was made by Harri Ford.
And Wales rounded off the scoring through substitute Rhodri Lewis, who gathered Anderson’s chip ahead to seal the win.
Full Time: Wales U20 37–29 Scotland U20
Scotland U20: 15. Fergus Watson 14. Kerr Johnston 13. Geordie Gwynn (VC) 12. Kerr Yule 11. Amena Caqusau 10. Isaac Coates 9. Murdoch Lock 1. Robbie Deans 2. Elliot Young 3. Callum Norrie 4. Euan McVie 5. Ruaraidh Hart (VC) 6. Liam McConnell (C) 7. Freddy Douglas 8. Tom Currie
Replacements: 16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty 17. Alex O’Driscoll 18. Ryan Whitefield 19. Archie Clarke 20. Monroe Job 21. Jonny Morris 22. Eric Davey 23. Jack Hocking
Wales U20: 15. Huw Anderson 14. Harry Rees-Weldon 13. Louie Hennessey 12. Harri Ackerman (C) 11. Walker Price 10. Harri Wilde 9. Ieuan Davies 1. Jordan Morris 2. Harry Thomas 3. Kian Hire 4. Jonny Green 5. Nick Thomas 6. Osian Thomas 7. Lucas de la Rue 8. Morgan Morse
Replacements: 16. Evan Wood 17. Freddie Chapman 18. Sam Scott 19. Owen Conquer 20. Harri Beddall 21. Rhodri Lewis 22. Harri Ford 23. Macs Page
