Dragons RFC hooker Sam Scarfe grabbed a late try but Wales Under-20s were edged out 27-26 by New Zealand Under-20s in a classic game of two halves to kick-off the World Cup Under-20s Championship in South Africa.
Wales – who also included captain Ryan Woodman and prop Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths from the Men of Gwent - had the Baby Blacks reeling at the end of a wind assisted first half. Wales scored three tries and led 19-5 up to that point and looked in complete control.
But the young New Zealanders battled back in the second half and stopped Wales from adding to their tally until a minute to go.
By then they had plundered three tries to edge into a 27-19 lead before Wales, full of character and fight, struck at the death from another driving line-out.
The try went to Scarfe, who moments earlier had had a similar score ruled out by the TMO, and Dan Edwards’ touchline conversion cut the gap to a single point.
There was enough time for a restart, but no fairytale finish as Wales had to settle for two bonus-points ahead of their games against France and Japan.
“It was hard to replicate the same intensity of the first half in the second because they really came out firing with the elements behind them,” said Wales skipper Woodman.
“We were good with the ball and they did well to keep it away from us. In the end, it came down to a kick.
“I thought we played well and there were plenty of positives to come out of the performance. That said, there is plenty to work on and we are all gutted.”
We were good with the ball and they did well to keep it away from us. In the end, it came down to a kick...
