Rugby Union: Wales coast to victory

WALES ended the first leg of their six-match African tour unbeaten in Zimbabwe with a comfortable 42-13 victory in the second Test in Harare yesterday.

The Welsh captain Gareth Llewellyn scored two of his side's six tries, but there should have been a further half-dozen.

Poor handling and finishing meant that Wales were unable to surpass their 83-year-old record of 49 points against France, although they did improve on last weekend's 35-14 first-Test triumph.

Despite the score, this was more of a contest than the previous one in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe drew first blood with a second-minute penalty from their full-back Ian Noble.

Noble's second successful place-kick put them level after Neil Jenkins, playing at full-back, had landed two penalties for the visitors. But then came the try rush, with centre Roger Bidgood and lock forward Llewellyn crossing to give Wales a 16-6 interval lead.

Four more tries came in the second half, from Llewellyn, Stuart Davies, Jenkins and John Davies, but the best touchdown of the game came just before the end when the Zimbabwe wing Victor Olonga raced 75 metres to score.

Wales move this week to Namibia for the rest of their tour.