Wales into Plate semis after beating Japan
January 28, 2001

Wales cruised into the semi-finals of the World Cup Sevens Plate event with a
comfortable 21-7 victory over Japan in Argentina today.

The Welsh, who finished third in their group in Mar del Plata behind Australia
and Samoa, recovered after conceding an early try to book a clash with Georgia
in the secondary competition.

Japan, whose shock victory over Spain yesterday had given England a Melrose
Cup reprieve, took the lead with a converted try from Toru Kurihara.

Neath's Shane Williams had missed a chance to give his side the lead after
dropping the ball while pondering his options with just one defender to beat.

But a Williams break shortly after Japan's try sent Bristol's Gareth Baber
racing unopposed to score his third try of the tournament with Newport's Emyr
Lewis adding the conversion.

Williams was then sent clear himself moments later to score his fourth try of the weekend under the posts and he added the conversion to give Wales a 14-7 half-time lead.

Coach Colin Hillman's unheralded side kept their defence tight after the break before Pontypridd's Gareth Wyatt sealed victory with his third try. Lewis again converted.

Georgia needed a `golden try' to see off Korea 24-19 in the opening
quarter-final of the plate competition, for teams who finished third and fourth
in their group.

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