IRELAND YOUTHS recorded their first victory in almost two years when they pipped 14 man Wales in a stormy encounter at Anglesea Road yesterday.

An all out fracas shortly after the interval saw Welsh scrum half Tony Richards dismissed for punching.

Already 6-5 down at that stage, the visitors fell further adrift when Irish wing Andrew Bell scored a spectacular try in the corner to leave Wales needing a converted1 score to get back into the game.

The match, watched by Irish coach Brian Ashton, took a further twist with just seconds remaining when Welsh full back, Huw Rees sped over wide out to present Richard Davies with the chance to seal a dramatic victory. The out halfs kick was well short, however.

The first half had seen Ireland pretty much on top with Mark McHugh's two penalties underlying Ireland's superiority in the pack.