Hosts Wales overcame Scotland 32-24 in the final Round 5 clash of the 2021 Six Nations Under-20s, despite Harri Deaves’ red card leaving them a man down for over half-an-hour.
Lock Christ Tshiunza notched the first of five tries in an exhilarating first half, with teammates Joe Hawkins and Cameron Jones, and Scotland’s Patrick Harrison and Michael Gray, also touching down.
Ben Muncaster quickly capitalised on the red card shown to Wales replacement Deaves shortly after the break, but the hosts fought their way over the line with a penalty try and six points from Sam Costelow’s boot.
Victory for Ioan Cunningham’s side marks their second of the Championship and sees them finish fourth in the standings, while Scotland end the campaign in sixth without a win.
END TO END
It was a fast start in the Welsh capital and Scotland were the first to strike, Cameron Scott kicking the first points of the match three minutes in after prop Jones was penalised for being offside.
Sean Lineen’s men weren’t ahead for long though, Tshiunza powering over from close range after the hosts demonstrated good discipline and patience deep in Scotland territory.
The Scots produced a swift response of their own just moments later, hooker Harrison finishing off a piercing driving maul in the corner to restore their three-point lead.
The topsy-turvy nature of the contest continued as the clock ticked towards the 15-minute mark, with Ospreys centre Hawkins bulldozing over to put Wales back in front.
Hawkins’ opposite number Gray soon got his name on the scoresheet, similarly evading a string of defenders to dot down and put Scotland in the ascendency once more.
Wales’ Jones was next to add his name to the fast-growing list of try-scorers when he crashed through a gap in the Scottish defence, before a cagier period saw both sides enjoy flurries of possession without reward.
WALES DIG DEEP
There was an extended break in play shortly after the interval due to an injury to Wales winger Carrick McDonough, after which the game continued in an evenly-matched fashion with both teams looking for the all-important breakthrough.
Deaves’ evening was cut short after he was sent off for gouging shortly before the 50-minute mark, and Scotland immediately made their numerical advantage count with Muncaster going over.
Despite being a man down Wales continued to fight, and though Morgan Richards’ score was ruled out Cunningham’s charges were awarded a penalty try for Ollie Melville’s intervention, which also resulted in a yellow card for the Scotland winger.
A Costelow penalty stretched Wales’ lead to five points, and Efan Daniel then retained the hosts’ lead with a brilliant try-saving tackle to deny Euan Ferrie close to the posts.
Costelow saw a drop-goal effort sail wide but there was still time for the Scarlets man to add to his tally, and three points from the tee moments before the end were enough to get Wales over the line.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
The game was dominated by the forwards, with Ben Muncaster among those standing out for Scotland.
But Wales hooker Efan Daniel takes the plaudits, having demonstrated his prowess in defence and at the set piece, as well as contributing a try-saving tackle in the second half.
