Evans helps steer Wales to win

Tournament hosts Wales kicked off the U18 International Series with a 22-6 win against Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday night, with young Ospreys fly-half, Cai Evans, kicking seven points.

He was one of three Eyasses in the starting line-up, along with centre Callum Carson and wing Dewi Cross, with scrum half, Harri Morgan and centre Ben Cambriani on the bench.

It was the Scots who drew first blood with a three-point lead coming through the boot of fly-half Matt Davidson after Wales had infringed after two minutes of play.

Marvellous work by Tomi Lewis in the Scottish 22 then saw the Welsh fullback pop the ball to outside centre Tom Hoppe for the first try of the match. With Wales unable to convert, though, Scotland retook the lead soon after with another Davidson penalty. 5-6.

Wales then edged ahead shortly before the end of the half, thanks to a forward-driven effort which dragged them over the Scottish line. An excellent conversion by fly-half Evans took them into half-time 12-6 ahead.

Two minutes after the commencement of the second half, Wales were again attacking deep in the Scottish half, and wing Ioan Davies displayed all his considerable pace to soar into the corner for the second try of the night. Another terrific conversion from out wide by Evans meant Wales were now slowly but surely pulling ahead. 19-6.

Evans then drilled over a penalty on 50 minutes to give Wales a 16-point buffer and from there the hosts kept the Scots scoreless for the remainder of the match, whilst occasionally threatening to add to their tally.

The series moves to Parc y Scarlets this coming Wednesday, before finishing in Ystrad Mynach next Sunday.