Wales soar past Eagles
Wales finished their season on a high note with a 48-15 victory over USA in their 600th international match.
Last Updated: 06/06/09 11:41pm
Wales finished their season on a high note with a 48-15 victory over USA at Toyota Park in their 600th international match.
Jonathan Davies bagged a brace of tries while Mark Jones, Tom James and Gareth Cooper also crossed for the away side.
The only disappointment for Wales, who were also awarded a penalty try, was the loss of captain Ryan Jones to injury after he was hurt in the opening minute following a big hit from Eagles prop Will Johnson.
Although he attempted to carry on, Jones was forced to leave the field in the 20th minute, Sam Warburton replacing him to earn his first cap.
Robinson penalties
By the time the Ospreys star left the field Wales were already 13-3 ahead thanks to two opening penalties from Nicky Robinson and Jones' try.
Their lead was extended further when Robinson collected his own chip over the top before off-loading for outside centre Davies to run in for his first international score.
Skipper Jones was joined on the bench by Robin Sowden-Taylor in the first half, the flanker forced off after tweaking a hamstring.
The losses did not bother Wales, though, and a minute after the USA had back row Louis Stanfill sin-binned for bringing down a maul, a penalty try was awarded when Dafydd Jones was denied the chance to score.
Robinson converted from in front of the posts and Wales went in at the break 27-3 up.
Despite the deficit the Eagles continued to put up a fight and managed a try of their own in the 53rd minute when centre Alipate Tuilvuka barged through.
Lucky break
Order was restored when James pounced on a ball that ricocheted off his own boot near the USA 22 to pick up on the try line and touch down.
Robinson converted with his last kick of the game before making way for Dan Biggar, who just missed out on a try when he was beaten to his own kick ahead by fellow sub Cooper, who is 11 years his senior.
Biggar did land the conversion and was also on target with the extras after Davies touched down for the second time with two minutes to go.
The hosts had the last word, though, sub JJ Gagliano eventually awarded a try after a lengthy look from the television match official.
