Wales’ World Rugby U20 Championship campaign ended in disappointment as they slipped to a 45-26 defeat to England in Rosario.
Tries from Josh Hodge, Will Capon, Joe Heyes, Fraser Dingwall and Ted Hill along with a penalty try got England over the line.
But Gareth Williams’ side scored four tries of their own courtesy of Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, Ed Scragg and Rio Dyer while outside half Cai Evans kicked six points.
England made a blistering start scoring three tries within the first 15 minutes of the game. After an initial break by Wales wing Ryan Conbeer the ball was turned over with Hodge hacking the ball up field before outpacing Ioan Davies to touch down.
The English pack strangled their Welsh counterparts with Capon next to score as he smashed his way over the line courtesy of a powerful driving lineout. Wales were now faced with a mountain to climb as centre Tiaan-Thomas Wheeler was sent to the sin bin for deliberately knocking the ball forward.
Upon reviewing the television replays the referee decided the Ospreys centres intervention prevented a probable try from being scored and duly awarded a penalty try. And England claimed their fourth try on the stroke of half-time as they scored from short range.
Outside-half Manu Vunipola put Ollie Sleightholme, the son of former England wing Jon Sleightholme, through a gap in the Welsh midfield with a beautifully timed pass.
Sleightholme was halted just short of the line but Heyes was on hand to pick up the ball and plough over for Hodge to convert.
Despite trailing 28-0 at the interval Wales showed a lot of character to in the early stages of the second-half with No 8 Morgan crossing from short range after the Welsh pack had shunted him over the line.
Their second score was a carbon copy of their first with captain Lake touching down after a well-worked driving lineout. But just when it looked like Wales were clawing their way back into the contest they gift wrapped England a try when Evans’ clearance kick was charge down allowing Dingwall to score.
Scragg scored a third for Wales via a driving maul and Evans’ conversion reduced the deficit to 35-21.
But a late penalty from Hodge and Hill’s score in the corner put the result beyond doubt. Wales did grab a late consolation try when Dyer gathered a pinpoint accurate cross kick from Evans.