Wales Off To Winning Start

By Lestyn - 12/10/03
October 12 2003

Wales kicked off their World cup campaign with an 41 - 10 victory over a poor Canada side. After a nervous opening quarter that included Colin Charvis's sin binning, Wales began to take control, with Iestyn Harris putting in a superb performance as Wales went on to touch down five times.

In fact Wales should have won by a far greater margin against a very one dimensional side, had they not been let down by poor handling and lazy work around the break down area. Failure to keep the ball together longer than four or five phases made it an awkward night in Melbourne, but after first Sonny Parker touched down and then Gareth Cooper, as well as two Iestyn Harris penalty kicks, the result was never in doubt at 20 - 3 going into the interval.

The second half was all about whether or not Wales could claim the vital bonus point, and despite easing off some what Mark Jones was sent over after Parker was sent into space by Harris. Next up it was Charvis's turn to breach the white wash, the captain barging his way over from short range. Canada did get a score of their own ten minutes from time, after pressuring the Welsh line. But Wales were to have the final say with Gareth Thomas rounding the scoring off, with the last move of the game.

All in all this not the most convincing performance but a victory and a bonus poin all the same, a full match report will be online later for now why not share your views on the message board

Wales scorers:
Tries - Parker, Cooper, M Jones, Charvis, Thomas
Cons - Harris (4)
Pens - Harris (3)

Canada scorers:
Try - Tkachuk
Con - Pritchard
Drop - Ross