RUGBY league came to Llanelli on Saturday (Oct 15) by way of the World Cup qualifier between Wales and Serbia. Both teams desperately needed to win this game and the next if either were to be in with a chance of qualifying.
Stebonheath Park was packed with the rugby league faithful, most of whom gathered in the covered stand, sheltering from the rain. The pitch was in superb condition and looked made for fast-running rugby, despite the downpour.
That is exactly what we got from the whistle. Wales struck first after five minutes with a try from Gil Dudson, but it was disallowed as the referee judged the pass to be forward. The Serbians replied with a try after seven minutes but that was also disallowed for a forward pass.
Wales continued to put pressure on the Serbian team and the breakthrough came 12 minutes in when Rhys Williams went over in the corner for a lovely try. An unsuccessful conversion left the score Wales 4 – Serbia 0.
It only took another seven minutes before Williams went over again in the corner, this time aided and abetted by Elliot Kear. Lloyd White converted to take the score to Wales 10 – Serbia 0.
Despite their superior bulk, the Serbs were looking rather rattled and chance after chance went begging through unforced errors.
Wales must have sensed the frustration in the Serb side who, by now, were barking at each other under the posts, insisting that there were to be no more tries before half time. Wales continued to ramp up the pressure and it paid off with a lovely piece of play between Courtney Davies and Andrew Gay to send Regan Grace over for his first try of the match.
Five minutes later and a charge down by Rhodri Lloyd was collected beautifully by Ollie Olds, who touched down for another try, leaving the Serbian team under the posts again looking at the prospect of going into the changing rooms with a 20 point deficit if Lloyd White converted the kick. He did and it was 20 – 0 to Wales at half time.
There was no let up in the pace and ferocity of the game as crunching tackles went in from both sides, more so from Serbia as they tried to stop the onslaught of a very impressive Welsh team.
Two minutes in and Wales looked to have scored another try but it was disallowed for a knock on.
The crowd didn’t have to wait more than six minutes before Rhys Williams broke the line and passed to Courtney Davies who touched down and converted the kick to stretch the lead to 26 – 0.
Frustration began to show again in the Serb team, as Pero Madžarević headed for the sin-bin having tripped Elliot Kear who was destined for the try line. With one man off the field, Wales capitalised with a try by Andrew Gay, who picked up the ball up from first receiver and made his way over the line. Courtney Davies duly converted to take Wales into a comfortable lead of 32 – 0. Wales could have taken their foot off the gas at this stage but it was obvious they had come to entertain the 800 or so strong crowd and pile on the points, which could make a crucial difference when the group stages end.
Serbia were beginning to look as sad as the poor photographers and TV crew who by now were well-anointed by the Llanelli rain. However, the sun continued to shine on the Welsh side, as they set Stebonheath alight again with a blistering run from Regan Grace from within his own half, going over to take his tally to two and Wales to 38 – 0 the better as Courtney Davies converted.
Two quick Welsh tries after Grace’s second were disallowed, sparing the Serbs from more time under the posts.
Serbia were coming under attack from all areas of the field, including aerial bombardments from Ollie Olds, one of which was dropped by the Serbian defence only to be collected by Olds and popped down over the try line for his second try. Lloyd White converted to make it Wales 44 – Serbia 0.
With just four minutes remaining of the game, Wales had one last nail to insert into the Serbian coffin as Gil Dudson picked up from a yard out and barged his way over the line for a try. Lloyd White did the formalities and converted the kick to take Wales to a half century.
Wales Coach John Kear must have been delighted with his squad’s performance.
Speaking to The Herald before the match, he said that his team were in peak condition and that this was a ‘must win’ game.
Wales now go on to Play Italy in Monza and they will be hoping to repeat this outstanding performance and qualify for their ticket to Australia.
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