| Handling mistakes, particularly in the first half against Italy U18, meant that the score was not as high as it could have been if the home side had made the most of the opportunities created.
Coach Simon King was pleased with the victory, putting some of the errors down to the fact it was their first home game of the season and that a good crowd of around 500 had turned out to watch it.
“The boys worked very hard in preparation and even though there were too many mistakes we have to be pleased with the victory and move on from that,” said King. “All their parents were here and everybody was watching them and they were keen to make an impression so they went away a bit from what they were supposed to do, but when they worked as a team they did better.
“That was the fourth game we have had after drawing in France and winning one and losing one against England, so we will go up to the Six Nations event with confidence.”
That Six Nations tournament will be in Glasgow next month, so Wales U18 were pleased with a victory in their penultimate warm up match. The pack were strong and the backs created plenty of chances, but all too often poor handling and decision making, particularly out wide, limited the scoring.
Rhydfelin scrum half Rhys Downes opened the scoring in front of a crowd of around 500 at Ebbw Vale, burrowing his way over under a pile of players. Gowerton outside half Daniel Biggar added the conversion and a penalty in the first half, with Italian No.10 Pierfrancesco Dotta landing an answering penalty, but the rest of the half was a story of missed opportunities for Wales U18.
That was put right in the second half with Cwmcarn centre Jason Tovey finishing off good work by Biggar and Neath college midfield partner Ashley Beck. Tovey then turned provider for Brecon College left wing Ryan Bayliss, but Wales U18 know they will have to improve their finishing if they are to make a mark in the U18 Six Nations in Glasgow next month.
U18 International
Wales 22 Italy 3
Wales
Tries: Downes, Tovey, Bayliss
Pen: Biggar
Con: Biggar (2)
Italy
Pen: P Dotta
Wales: J Loxton; M Lemon, J Tovey, A Beck, R Bayliss; D Biggar, R Downes; T Price, R Guest, S Andrews, A Sweet, L Bray, J Tipuric, J Shaw, L Mills
Replacements: A Coundley, R Williams, S Maguire, D Partridge, J Thomas, L Williams, J Deacon
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