Spain sprung a surprise by clinging on for a cherished 20-19 victory against Wales in the final round of U18 Six Nations Festival at Stade Municipal Louis Darragon in Vichy.
On the back of earlier defeats to Italy and Ireland, Spain entered the match searching for their first win of the campaign while Wales - who included for Dragons in Tiaan Hall, Sam Morgan, Ryley Fussell and Will Ford - were looking to secure their second scalp after beating Scotland in the opening game of the tournament.
In the third minute Spain flexed their muscle and were awarded a penalty try and to rub salt into the wound, a bemused Sam Bryant had to walk to the sin bin for seven minutes.
Alfie Prygodzicz set the perfect captain’s example when he powered over to put Wales on the scoreboard.
Spanish fly half Malakai Hafoka caressed a penalty between the uprights to give his side a 10-5 lead after 16mins.
Loosehead prop Jesus Villalobos was then banished to the naughty step, but Wales were unable to make their superior numbers count during his absence.
Wales hit the lead for the first time after loosehead prop Brayan Kamanga powered over to give Will Ford the easiest of conversions after time went into the red.
A string of penalties on their own line saw lock Jose Ignacio Soriano become the second Spanish player to see yellow – almost immediately Wales struck to increase their lead.
Kamanga took three Spanish defenders over with him to score his second try of the game three minutes after the restart. Ford’s conversion took Wales 19-10 clear.
Spain hit back when Rodrigo Rivas ploughed over for a converted try to reduce the arrears to just two points.
Spain regained the lead when Hafoka stepped up and landed a long range penalty to put his side 20-19 ahead.
Wales rallied and applied pressure on the Spanish defence but Richie Pugh’s young side were unable to find a way through as Spain’s players jumped for joy at the sound of the final whistle.
