Back row: Rhys Evans, Adrian Evans, Liam Powell, Lawrence Price. Aaron Bray, Wayne Simms, Owen Cotton, Mathew Amos, David Ford, Huw Dowden, Carl Kimber, Rhys Watkins, Nathan Rees, Steve Williams, Dr Keith Hughes. Front Row: Shaun James, Robert Evans, Tom Rowlands, Joe Rees, Dean Ronan, Jack Dawson (c), Dan Evans, Geraint Walsh, Ryan Bayliss, David Walsh, Mike Thomas. |
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A highly entertaining game saw some dynamic rugby from both sides and 11 tries, with the experience of the Welsh Academicals finally easing them to victory in the final quarter.
Japan struck first after only 5 minutes, with Kenta Nakasone bursting through for a try near the posts. The Academicals leveled with a Nathan Rees try mid way through the half and took the lead following a searing run by Ryan Bayliss into the corner. Japan then benefitted from high risk rugby by the Accies with a further two tries, before Mike Thomas crossed for a well worked try to keep his team in contention, 15 - 19 down at the break.
The game was still finely balanced until Rees and Thomas both completed their brace of tries, which were added to by further scores from Wayne Simms and Loughborough Student, Geraint Walsh, to complete an enthralling exhibition of fast open rugby. |
