WALES 24 IRELAND 6
TOM KIERNAN-WILSON, The Wern, Merthyr Tydfil, Saturday

WALES lifted the inaugural Celtic Cup after an attritional win over an Irish side that would rue not making the most of the opportunities available to them.

In what was a winner-takes-all clash after both had beaten Scotland in the prior weeks, Wales made a strong start, dominating territory and forcing a knock-on from Ireland’s first carry.

Baily Tait intercepted for Ireland, but was brought to ground. They then appeared set to score after breaking down the left, only for the effort to be ruled out because the final pass to Aaron Lynch had gone forward.

Ireland’s discipline soon undermined their efforts. A penalty for holding down handed Wales territory and, on nine minutes, they made it count. Oliver Garmston took an offload close to the line and powered over on the right edge, with Charlie Newton adding the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

A further penalty for holding down, followed by a six-again call for a ruck infringement, kept Wales on the front foot and Ireland’s inability to get out of their own half was punished four minutes after the opener.

Brisbane Broncons halfback prospect Tokoaitua Owen shaped to pass before selling a dummy, spinning away from the defence and forcing his way over. Newton could not add the extras, leaving Wales 10-0 ahead.

The middle period of the first half became scrappy, with neither side able to establish fluency. Matty Fozard made a crunching tackle, while Will Jones later broke down the wing to create an opportunity. They could not finish the set, and Daniel Coop’s interception offered Ireland a chance to respond although rushed handling brought that opportunity to nothing.

Wales continued to benefit from Irish infringements, including penalties for a high tackle and offside. The pressure told as Brisbane Tigers prop Jackson Connor bundled over despite the protests of the Irish defence, and Newton converted to make it 16-0.

Ireland enjoyed a spell of pressure late in the half but could not turn possession into points. Wales nearly added another before the break when Taine Woodford broke a tackle, but his attempted pass to Lewis Ingram went into touch. Ireland earned a penalty for a late hit shortly afterwards, but went into half-time 16 points behind.

Wales threatened again after the restart. A strong Sam Grice carry created an opportunity for Connor, who was held up, before Jones was unable to finish in the corner.

Ireland then took advantage of a penalty for a high tackle and opened their account on 50 minutes. A wayward pass fell kindly for Daniel Coop, who fended off multiple challenges to score, and James Farrar converted to make it 16-6.

The contest entered another untidy spell, with penalties and handling errors interrupting the flow. Neither side built enough pressure inside the opposition 20 until Wales struck again on 64 minutes. Woodford made another break and this time found Ingram with the offload who crossed over on the right. Newton produced an excellent conversion from out wide to extend the lead to 22-6.

A Wales penalty for a high shot on 70 minutes gave Newton the chance to add two more points to help manage the closing stages and while Ireland pushed for a late consolation, resolute Welsh defence and handling problems left them frustrated.

GAMESTAR: Oliver Garmston was outstanding for Wales, opening the scoring and providing a constant attacking threat throughout the contest.

GAMEBREAKER: Jackson Connor’s try just before half-time, extending Wales’ advantage to 16-0, gave Ireland a significant deficit to overcome.

MATCHFACTS

WALES
1 Sam Dickenson
2 Lewis Ingram
3 Oliver Garmston
4 Mike Butt
5 Will Jones
20 Charlie Newton
7 Tokoaitua Owen
8 Connor Davies
9 Matty Fozard
10 Sam Bowring
11 Taine Woodford
12 Sam Grice
13 Finley Yates
Subs (all used)
14 Curtis Davies
15 Ed Williams
18 Jackson Connor
25 Anthony Walker

Tries: Garmston (9), Owen (13), Connor (31), Ingram (66)
Goals: Newton 4/5

IRELAND
1 Oliver Whitford
2 Lewis Wing
20 James Farrar
4 Aaron Lynch
5 Baily Tait
6 Aidan McGowan
7 Bobby Barton
24 Dan Lynch
9 Dec O’Donnell
10 Pat Moran
11 Ryan Hogg
12 Lachlan Lanskey
13 Daniel Coop
Subs (all used)
14 Jamie Coop
16 Oisin Carroll
17 Joe Allison
22 Michael Ward

Tries: D Coop (50)
Goals: Farrar 1/1

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 16-0; 16-6, 22-6, 24-6

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Wales: Oliver Garmston; Ireland: Pat Moran

Penalty count: 6-4
Half-time: 16-0
Referee: Ryan Cox