UNDER-20 SERIES Wales 26 Ireland 26:PADDY JACKSON hit the post with the last kick of the game to leave Ireland sharing the spoils with Wales in a dramatic Six Nations clash at Parc Y Scarlets last night.
Wales looked to have masterminded a rousing late comeback with three penalties in the final seven minutes. But after Wales failed to kick the ball dead at the end of normal time, Ireland conjured a final attack that saw replacement hooker David Doyle crash over to level the scores, only for Jackson to miss the conversion.
It was a remarkable climax to a thrilling match that saw Martin Moore and Craig Gilroy, on his 20th birthday, open an 18-7 lead for Ireland in the first half only for Wales to fight back to within seconds of victory.
Tighthead Martin Moore set about whittling away at that lead inside a minute. The Leinster prop demolished his opposite number in the game’s opening scrum, earning a penalty that Jackson just had enough power to get over the cross from distance.
Ireland gifted Wales the opening try in the third minute when Wales number eight Ben Thomas pounced on Blane McIroy’s wild pass, kicked ahead and applied enough pressure on Jackson who fumbled a yard off his own line, allowing Adam Warren to score.
But Ireland showed great composure and responded with 15 unanswered points that should have put them in the driving seat.
Good work by lock Michael Kearney earned a penalty for Jackson moments after the outhalf was off target. Jackson’s break then set up an attacking lineout and though the first drive was repelled, Moore was lurking in the fringes to drive over.
Wing Gilroy then showed why many in Ulster are getting very excited about him when bursting onto Jackson’s flat-pass at full throttle between two red jerseys. He then stepped past the fullback without breaking stride before powering through two would-be tacklers to score on 22 minutes.
Jackson converted and after London Irish-bound Stephen Shingler missed a second long-distance effort, Ireland looked to be cruising.
However, appearances can be deceptive and when McIlroy coughed up the ball under a thundering tackle by centre Owen Williams, Wales again raced clear to score. Morgan kicked the conversion and penalty as Ireland clung-onto an 18-17 lead to half-time.
The break allowed Ireland to steady the ship and Sherlock twice went close. The first led to a third Jackson penalty while the second almost produced a try after Daniel Qualter charged down a clearance kick. Jackson missed a third effort while Sherlock saved a try with a telling tackle before Matthew Morgan’s late penalties set up a grandstand finish.
WALES: S Shingler; A Warren (R James, 60), B John, O Williams, H Robinson; M Morgan, L Jones (J Evans, 63); R Jones (R Evans, 50), K Myhill (S Parry, 65), W Taylor; M Cook (capt), M Screech (C Hill, 45); E Siggery, L Hamilton, B Thomas.
IRELAND: M Sherlock; C Gilroy, A Kelly, L Marshall, A Boyle; P Jackson, B McIlroy (M Dolan, 55); J Tracy, N Annett (capt, D Doyle, 13), M Moore (T Furlong, 73), M Kearney, D Qualter (N Henderson, 59), S Buckley, A Connelly, J Murphy.
Referee: Marius Mitrea(Italy).
