Wales break their WXV duck against Japan
MATCH REPORT: The Wales Women ended their WXV 2 campaign on a high note, beating Japan Women 19-10 at Athlone Stadium on Friday.
The Welsh headed into the fixture under huge pressure after defeats to Australia and Italy.
After a somewhat nervey start which included a knock-on, Wales recovered well and raced to a 12-0 lead after just 15 minutes.
The Wales wing Nel Metcalfe charged down Misaki Matsumura's kick and went over the line for the opening try.
The Welsh extends their lead scrumhalf Keira Bevan benefiting from great play by the loose forwards.
Bevan added the extras for the 12-0 lead.
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Japan managed to put together some phases, however, a charge down nullified their efforts.
Instead, it was the Wales who crossed the whitewash after multiple pick-up drives.
But while Lewis thought she scored, the TMO spotted foul play in the build-up and ruled NO TRY.
The score remained 12-0 in favour of the Welsh.
Ioan Cunningham dominated possession and territory.
Unlike last week against Italy, the Wales side were more unpredictable on attack.
While on defence managed to keep Japan's attack intact.
In the second stanza, Japan came close to scoring. However, an intercept from Jasmine Joyce inside Wales' five saw the fullback run the length of the field for the third try of the match.
Leading 19-0 the Welsh were hunting another socre. They put Japan under pressure with waves of attack.
In the final quarter, Japan finally broke their duck. They counterattack and eventually, Misaki Matsumura rounded off a great team try in the corner.
It was a dramatic conclusion. Wales went down to 14 players after Hannah Bluck copped a yellow card.
Japan took full advantage of the extra person as Ayasa Otsuka found a gap and scored for the team's second try.
Unfortunately for the final hooted sounded and Wales recorded a win.
The victory sees Wales qualified for the 2025 World Cup.
The scorers:
For Wales Women:
Tries: Metcalfe, Bevan, Joyce
Cons: Bevan 2
For Japan:
Tries: Matsumura, Otsuka
Yellow card: Hannah Bluck (Wales, 74 - dangerous tackle)
Teams:
Wales Women: 15 Jasmine Joyce, 14 Carys Cox, 13 Hannah Jones (captain) 12 Hannah Bluck, 11 Nel Metcalfe, 10 Kayleigh Powell, 9 Keira Bevan; 8 Bethan Lewis, 7 Alex Callender, 6 Alisha Butchers, 5 Abbie Fleming, 4 Natalia John, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 2 Carys Phillips, 1 Gwenllian Pyrs.
Replacements: 16 Molly Reardon, 17 Maisie Davies, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Georgia Evans, 20 Kate Williams, 21 Sian Jones, 22 Robyn Wilkins, 23 Courtney Keight
Japan Women: 15 Sora Nishimura, 14 Misaka Matsumura, 13 Mana Furuta, 12 Haruka Hirotsu, 11 Komachi Imakugi, 10 Ayasa Otsuka, 9 Moe Tsukui, 8 Seina Saito, 7 Iroha Nagata (captain), 6 Masami Kawamura, 5 Otoka Yoshimura, 4 Yuna Sato, 3 Wako Kitano, 2 Kotomi Taniguchi, 1 Sachiko Kato.
Replacements: 16 Asuka Kuge, 17 Manami Mine, 18 Nijiho Nagata, 19 Kyoko Hosokawa, 20 Jennifer Nduka, 21 Megumi Abe, 22 Minori Yamamoto, 23 Kanako Kobayashi.
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Zoe Naude (South Africa) & Aneka Fick (South Africa)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)