Summary

  • Use audio icons at the top of the page to listen to BBC local radio commentary

  • Wales score six tries on the way to a 38-18 friendly win against the USA in north Wales

  • The game was being used as preparation for Wales' WXV1 campaign in October

  • Alisha Butchers scores first try of the game on her return from injury before Keira Bevan added a second

  • Freda Tafuna shown yellow card for high tackle on Gwenllian Pyrs with Wales dominating

  • Lisa Neumann adds third Welsh try just before half time after lovely delayed pass from Jasmine Joyce

  • USA score first try of the game early in the second half through Sarah Levy

  • Wales' fourth try comes on 52 minutes from a dominant driving maul, Alex Callender touching down

  • Tafuna makes amends for earlier sin binning by scoring USA's second try of the game

  • Callender gets her second try of the game to move Wales three scores clear with under 10 minutes remaining

  • Fane Haungatau shown yellow card for dangerous tackle late in the game before Wales' Donna Rose also sent to sin bin

  • USA replacement hooker Paige Stathopolous scores late consolation try for USA

  • Sioned Harries adds sixth Welsh try to complete the scoring in a competitive friendly win for Wales

  1. Goodbyepublished at 16:49 British Summer Time 30 September 2023

    FT: Wales 38-18 USA

    Wales players celebrateImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Well... what better way is there to warm up for a massive tournament than creating a little slice of history.

    Wales have beaten USA Eagles for the first time and did so in convincing fashion with six tries.

    Given USA are just one place behind Wales in the world rankings, that was a mighty impressive display.

    It was a little scrappy at times but that can be forgiven in such wet conditions and the power and precision of the pack was - at times - a joy.

    Ioan Cunningham will now take his squad to New Zealand for the inaugural WXV tournament.

    Wales' next game is the opener against Canada in Wellington on 21 October.

    So remember to join us then for more live coverage.

  2. Postpublished at 16:48 British Summer Time 30 September 2023

    FT: Wales 38-18 USA

    Rachel Taylor
    Former Wales captain and coach on BBC Radio Wales

    I was super impressed with Wales and it's very important for where they are and where they want to go with the WXV.

    The forward dominance particularly from the scrum will be the headline, but to continue scoring was good to see.

    Wales lost their way a bit in the second half but the weather didn't help so overall a great performance.

    Players like Kate Williams getting more game time and a debut for Net Metcalf is positive for growing the squad.

    I think the WXV will be a really tough tournament for Wales, we need to close the gap against those teams but when you look at our set piece and forwards that's where the game is won and lost so Wales will go into those games full of confidence.

  3. Postpublished at 16:44 British Summer Time 30 September 2023

    FT: Wales 38-18 USA

    Caryl Thomas
    Former Wales prop on Radio Cymru

    We've played New Zealand, Australia and Canada in the World Cup and before the World Cup, we want to show we've improved from then particularly against Australia.

    During the first half we weren't giving away penalties and were very effective in controlling the game.

    We've got competition for positions, with a few huge injuries at the moment and other players are stepping up and performing. It means we're growing as a squad.

  4. 'Not a disappointing result for USA' - Zackarypublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 30 September 2023

    FT: Wales 38-18 USA

    Kate ZackaryImage source, Getty Images

    USA captain Kate Zackary on WRU stream: "It's not a disappointing result at all actually, we're two weeks into a six week campaign and I'm really proud of that team.

    "The result matters for pride but in terms of our building it's all about the WXV.

    "The first half wasn't our friend with the weather but I think in the second half we tightened up and played well.

    "Our players showed a lot of heart and we've got a lot of young people with a lot of potential.

    "We saw that 10% that players have to give, we can bring out their potential and get to where we need to be."

  5. 'Forwards gave great platform' - captain Jonespublished at 16:36 British Summer Time 30 September 2023

    FT: Wales 38-18 USA

    Hannah JonesImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Wales captain Hannah Jones has told WRU TV:

    "We didn't think about the conditions but the pack offered the backs a great platform to play on and we showed why we should be on TV as well.

    "The pack has been outstanding from the Six Nations onwards, outstanding performances by players like Alex Callendar leading by example.

    "Tempo has been the main confidence and patience in the red zone - to finish on a try is brilliant.

    "That has given us the confidence for the WXV that we can go out there and perform."

  6. 'Huge confidence boost' - Callendarpublished at 16:28 British Summer Time 30 September 2023

    FT: Wales 38-18 USA

    Alex CallenderImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Wales player of the match Alex Callendar on WRU stream:

    "We came out after half time and thought we needed to finish the game in the first ten minutes of the second half.

    "It was disappointing that we let them back into the game due to our indiscipline in the second half but I'm so proud of the girls with the result.

    "We had to bin the try we conceded right at the start of the second half and continue to build as the half went on.

    "I never get to score tries! It was massive for us to put in that performance and is a huge confidence boost going into the WXV."

  7. Postpublished at 16:24 British Summer Time 30 September 2023

    FT: Wales 38-18 USA

    Phil Steele
    BBC Wales commentator on BBC Radio Wales

    Alex Callendar reminds me of the great French flanker Jean-Pierre Rives with that shock of blonde hair.

    The way she plays too, it's not a bad comparison to make.

  8. Player of the Match: Alex Callendar (Wales)published at 16:22 British Summer Time 30 September 2023

    FT: Wales 38-18 USA

    Alex CallenderImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    There were a couple of contenders but two tries, a string of turnovers and a couple of assists. A great display from Wales' openside flanker.

  9. Full-time: Wales 38-18 USApublished at 16:21 British Summer Time 30 September 2023

    The conversion sails wide and that's it.

    Wales have beaten USA for the first time ever.

  10. try

    Try: Wales 38-18 USApublished at 79 mins

    Sioned Harries

    Wales strike straight back through their lineout drive.

    They couldn't hit the mark in the first half but when that throw sticks, it has been unstoppable.

  11. try

    Try: Wales 33-18 USApublished at 77 mins

    Paige Stathopolous

    It's a debut try for the replacement hooker.

    What a way to mark your introduction to Test rugby. She's only been on for a few minutes.

    USA success from a third maul.

  12. Sin-bin: Donna Rose (Wales)published at 75 mins

    Wales 33-13 USA

    Well now we're down to 14 v 14.

    Replacement prop Danna Rose is offside as USA press for the line.

  13. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Wales 33-13 USA

    Rachel Taylor
    Former Wales captain and coach on BBC Radio Wales

    I've been looking forward to seeing Nel Metcalf.

    I've had the privilege of coaching her, she's a real prospect and been playing from such a young age.

    It's brilliant that her debut is close to home in North Wales and hopefully this is a bit of exposure to what's to come with the WXV and Six Nations.

    Amazing moment for Metcalf, everyone is standing on their feet cheering her on.

  14. Replacements: Walespublished at 74 mins

    Wales 33-13 USA

    Nel Metcalf is on for the injured Wilkins.

    Meg Davies is also on in place of Keira Bevan at scrum half.

  15. Sin-bin: Fane Haungatau (USA)published at 72 mins

    Wales 33-13 USA

    Well, it's yellow. I think she was lucky as it was a shoulder straight to the head - but Wilkins was dipping.

  16. Postpublished at 72 mins

    Wales 33-13 USA

    The referee has been told to watch a replay of that tackle by Fane Haungatau on Robyn Wilkins who has to go off for a head injury assessment.

    It does not look good, she'll be lucky not to get red.

  17. Postpublished at 72 mins

    Wales 33-13 USA

    Caryl Thomas
    Former Wales prop on Radio Cymru

    It's great to see Alisha Butchers making a great break through the middle and getting the offload away then Abby Fleming with a pass over the top before Alex Callendar finishes it off.

    That was the spark Wales needed, you see the crowd getting up now.

  18. try

    Converted try: Wales 33-13 USApublished at 72 mins

    Alex Callandar, con Keira Bevan

    Well that was a great decision because Wales have crossed under the posts.

    Alex Callendar has her second after great work by Sioned Harries and Lisa Neumann.

  19. Ouch!published at 71 mins

    Wales 26-13 USA

    Surely that was a high tackle?

    Alex Callendar is really not happy at the hit.

    But referee waves play on as Wales press.

  20. Postpublished at 69 mins

    Wales 26-13 USA

    Wales are still camped in USA's half but another great turnover by Freda Tafuna. She has been excellent - apart from the yellow card!