Wales A too slick for tourists

Matthew Watkins caused problems for Uruguay

Wales A 66-22 Uruguay

Uruguay ended their tour of Europe with another heavy defeat as Wales A cantered to an easy victory at the Arms Park on Saturday.

The Welsh had too much power in the pack and too much pace in the backs, overwhelming the South Americans with 10 tries in a one-sided match.

The Uruguayans remained committed to the end, with lock Bado Carlos particularly impressive.

But Wales A coach Mike Ruddock will have been less than satisfied with the way his side lost focus after the break, as well as the indiscipline that allowed Uruguay scoring opportunities.

Lee Jarvis ran the show against Uruguay

Gavin Henson, playing at full-back, scored the pick of the first-half tries, cruising over in the left corner.

Shane Williams had started the move by breaking out from his 22 and prop Martyn Madden had kept the ball alive with a sublime behind-the-back pass.

Scrum-half Andy Williams had opened the scoring, the Bath player picking up from the base of a scrum, stepping inside his tackler and racing 15 metres for the opening try.

Further scores followed before half-time through flanker Jamie Ringer and Madden, both shoved over the line following lineouts, centre Matthew Watkins and fly-half Lee Jarvis.

Jarvis was getting an armchair ride from his pack, and the Neath No 10 repaid their hard work with excellent distribution and his usual assured kicking display.

Uruguay skipper Diego Aguirre replied with two penalties, while fly-half Sieara dropped a goal, but the visitors found themselves trailing 40-9 at the break.

The Uruguayans have slipped to defeat at the hands of Spain, Italy, Newport and Neath on tour, with the Wales second string completing a steep learning curve.

Shane Williams raced in for two tries

Aguirre added two more penalties, while hooker De los Santos claimed a try after the break, but Wales found more and more gaps opening as the largely part-time Uruguayans tired.

They had some respite when Wales were reduced to 14 men, after flanker Nathan Bonner-Evans was harshly sin-binned for not binding properly, but it made little difference to the overall result.

Wing Shane Williams claimed two tries after the break, while Jarvis claimed his second of the match before taking a rest to allow Cardiff youngster Nicky Robinson a turn in the driving seat.

Prop Chris Anthony completed the rout with a bruising charge that the Uruguay defenders were helpless to stop.

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Wales A: G Henson (Swansea); G Wyatt (Pontypridd), M Watkins (Newport), J Pritchard (Newport), S Williams (Neath); L Jarvis (Neath), A Williams (Bath); M Madden (Llanelli), M Davies (Pontypridd, capt), C Anthony (Newport), C Billen (Ebbw Vale), N Edwards (Ebbw Vale), N Budgett (Bridgend), J Ringer (Bridgend), N Bonner-Evans (Neath).
Reps: G Williams (Bridgend), G Jenkins (Pontypridd), D Jones (Bridgend), W Thomas (Ebbw Vale), G Cooper (Bath), N Robinson (Cardiff), B Breeze (Newport).

Uruguay: Reyes; Vilaboa, D. Aguirre, Vecino, Ibarra; Sieara, Caffera; Sanchez, De los Santos, Lemoine, Bado Carlos, Lame, Bono, Capo, Gutierrez.

Referee: Stefano Mancini (Italy).