Jarvis rescues Wales 'A'
November 14, 2001

A second-string Tonga has gone within a whisker of upsetting Wales A at Stradey Park, flyhalf Lee Jarvis' 16 points off the boot seeing his team home 26-23.

Despite having five internationals in their line up, the Welsh were pushed all the way as Tonga gave the home side a huge fright at the end of the game.

Jarvis (pictured) scored the first nine points of the game, before prop Tau Fainga'anuku finished off some brilliant lead up work with the game's first try after 11 minutes, but Wales' response was quick.

Gareth Wyatt crossed the line after a back move that Jarvis had a hand in and it was duly converted, before Tongan five-eighth Pierre Hola slotted a penalty that signalled a solid period of play by the visitors who were held out, and the half-time score was 16-10.

Hola added another penalty after the interval to narrow the margin even further, but with the Tongan pack struggling with injury, Wales was awarded a penalty try in the 54th minute when a scrum was collapsed close to the line.

After Jarvis converted the try and potted another penalty, Hola replied for a 26-16 scoreline, before the Tongans managed a late try to hooker Aleki Lutui to ensure an exciting finish.

Scorers:

Wales A - Tries: G Wyatt, Penalty Try; Conversions: L Jarvis (2); Penalties: Jarvis (3); Drop goal: Jarvis.

Tonga - Tries: A Lutui, T Fainga'anuku; Conversions: P Hola (2); Penalites: Hola (3).

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices