The peerless Non Evans amassed 21 points as Wales sauntered over for nine tries in a 56-7 thrashing of Sweden at St Helens on Saturday.
The full back has been playing international rugby for more than a decade but the Swedes will be glad to see the back of her after she gave a vintage performance – racing over for two tries and constantly being a threat with the ball in hand.
Caryl James crossed for two tries on debut while Awen Thomas completed the rout with a late brace to put Sweden out of their misery.
Wales led 27-7 at the break courtesy of four first half tries and were always in control against stubborn but limited opposition.
Wales opened the scoring with a relatively straight forward penalty via Non Evans’s trusty boot. Sweden then ventured into Welsh territory briefly before Mel Berry’s side struck in the 10th minute with a well constructed try by second row Gemma Hallett.
Backs and forwards combined with more style than Gok Wan with new cap Elinor Snowsill, Berry and Caryl James prominent in the build up. Once the ball got to Hallett five metres from the line, the Pontyclun powerhouse surged over. Non Evans added the extras to give Wales a 10-0 lead.
Sweden then got back into the game from a lineout close to the Welsh try-line. Skipper Ulrika Anderson Hall spotted a gap and sped over, under the posts. Her conversion reduced Wales’s lead to three points.
Wales repelled further assaults from the Swedes to further extend their lead in the 24th minute. The ball was worked to winger Caryl James who scorched down the touchline, bouncing off would-be tacklers to dive over for her first try at international level in her Test bow.
Wales then produced a purple patch just before the break to assert their authority. First Evans was on the shoulder of fly half Elinor Snowsill who made the initial thrust. Evans still had some work to do but she bumped off several tacklers to go clear.
Three minutes later Louise Rickard then finished off strongly in the opposite corner as Wales whipped the ball swiftly through the backline. Evans’s touchline conversion gave Wales a comfortable 27-7 lead at halftime.
A combination of stubborn Swedish defence and the inability to be capitalise on the lion’s share of possession ensured the second half took some time to take off for Wales but three tries in quick succession put the issue beyond doubt.
Replacement winger Aimee Young powered her way over out wide after prop Catrin Edwards took a quick tap to unnerve the Swedish defence. The ball was spun through the backs where Young used her strength to surge over.
Young was to the fore again, cutting through the defence like a hot knife through butter. She beat three defenders before unselfishly off-loading to Evans who strolled over for her second try.
Replacement flyhalf Awen Thomas then darted over from close range and with Evans adding the conversion, Wales were leading 46-7. Thomas hammered home the final nail into the Swedish coffin when she crashed over in the last act of the game.
Scorers: Wales: Tries: Gemma Hallett, Caryl James (2), Non Evans (2), Louise Rickard, Aimee Young, Awen Thomas (2); Cons: Non Evans (4) Pen: Evans
Sweden: Try: Ulrika Anderson Hall; Con: Ulrika Anderson Hall.
