Second defeat for Wales women in Six Nations

WALES women suffered their second defeat of the Six Nations tournament as Ireland scored five tries at Donnybrook on Sunday.
It has been seven years since Wales last beat Ireland in the Six Nations. Tries from Amy Evans and Sioned Harries were not enough for Wales to overcome a 14-point deficit at half time as they slipped to a 35-12 defeat.
Wales gifted Ireland their first points of the afternoon after an obstruction from the Wales defence resulted in a penalty. Prop Leah Lyons scored the try with fly-half Niamh Briggs making the conversion for a 7-0 lead after 16 minutes.
Wales held possession well but failed to push past the Irish defence despite coming close several times in the first-half.
The Welsh outfit almost went in at half-time trailing by only seven points but a mistake on the stroke of half-time enabled flanker Claire Molloy to cross. Briggs won the extras, doubling Ireland’s half-time lead to 14-0.
Wales started strongly in the second-half as the team in red finally managed to push past the Irish defence through Evans after 44 minutes. Fly-half Elinor Snowsill bagged the extras.
Just two minutes later and Harries escaped a tackle from Ireland and managed to find space to put Wales within two points of the team in green, 14-12.
Despite losing prop Lindsay Peat, who was sin-binned for a high tackle, Ireland extended their lead to nine points after 50 minutes thanks to a try from Sene Naoupu. The conversion from Briggs left the score at 21-12.
Wales threatened the Irish defence several times but to no avail. With six minutes on the clock Ireland sealed the win as replacement back Hannah Tyrrell crossed and fullback Kim Flood converted.
Wales will hope to turn their form around as they host Italy at the Principality Stadium in a fortnight’s time.