Sport | Rugby
Hill claims hat-trick of tries as Wales win
Craig Hill claimed a hat-trick of tries as Wales launched their Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign with a comfortable 31-5 victory in the opening match of the tournament over Zimbabwe.
- By Steve Hill, Correspondent
- Published: 23:11 March 5, 2009
- Image Credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Gulf News
- Danny Hondo (right) and Tangai Nemadire (left) of Zimbabwe try to tackle Aled Thomas of Wales during their match at the Rugby Sevens World Cup.
Dubai: Craig Hill claimed a hat-trick of tries as Wales launched their Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign with a comfortable 31-5 victory in the opening match of the tournament over Zimbabwe.
But coach Paul John knows that his side will have to step up a gear today against Argentina and Uruguay if his side are to achieve their first goal and qualify for the knock-out stages.
Aled Brew had the honour of touching down the very first try of the competition, after only 47 seconds, while Hill then took advantage of some slack Zimbabwean tackling to dash in from 40 metres in the fourth minute for a converted score.
But that was the signal for the African side to enjoy their best spell of the match. Wensley Mbanje wasted a wonderful chance to pull back a try when he chipped over the Welsh defence only to knock on as he attempted to gather the ball unopposed some 35 metres out.
But on the stroke of half time Zimbabwe's efforts were rewarded when Gerald Sibanda accelerated into a gap in the Welsh cover and touched down wide on the right for an unconverted try. The second half though was virtually one-way traffic with Hill, Lee Williams and Hill again crossing as Wales took complete charge.
John said: "It's good to finally play and get a win under our belts. We could have been more clinical but I'm pleased with a victory.
"It was important that we scored first after the break but I was disappointed that we conceded a try. Points difference could be very important in this competition."
To the mystery of the crowd, referee Taizo Hirabayashi, of Japan, blew for time with almost 30 seconds still remaining on the clock, denying Wales the chance to stretch further clear.
There was one worry for Wales with Dafydd Hewitt being helped off midway through the first half with a leg injury which was being assessed overnight.
See also Pages 42 & 43
Dubai Dubai College bounced back from a disappointing performance at the Dubai Sevens before Christmas to outgun great rivals Dubai Exiles in a high quality Arabian Gulf Under-18 Cup final on the main arena at The Sevens last night.
IRB President Bernard Lapasset presented the trophy to Greg Cannie after Dubai College rallied from conceding an early try to triumph 17-10.
There was huge satisfaction at the result, which followed wins earlier in the day over British School Al Khubairat and Abu Dhabi.
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