TOKYO — Wales ground out a hard-fought WXV victory over Japan in tricky conditions in Tokyo, building on a 7-0 half-time lead to secure a second win of their campaign with tries from Seren Lockwood (2) and Kelsey Jones and a conversion from Freya Bell.
Swirling wind, rain and humidity made for a scrappy battle between the sides ranked 11th and 12th in the world, with the first half looking likely to end scoreless until scrum-half Lockwood's 35th-minute snipe gave the contest a much-needed spark and the visitors the advantage at the break. Wales lost centre Bell to a serious-looking knee injury, but the impact of the bench proved decisive as Kelsey Jones drove over off lineout ball before Lockwood finished a rare moment of class at the death.
It was far from an impressive performance from Sean Lynn's resurgent Wales, who have now proven their ability to win ugly given their previous results. Wales have now claimed victory in all three Tests against Japan, with discipline also a factor as Japan were reduced to 14 players twice through sin-bins for Asari (6 mins) and Yoshida (76 mins).
The two sides will meet again in Kumagaya City next Saturday. Japan started with Nishi; Tsunokawa, Langford, Kataoka, Nishimura; Tsukui (capt), Harada; Komaki, Nagaoka, Kitano, Kawamura, Sato, Asari, Korai, Bodman, while Wales fielded Neumann; N Metcalfe, Cox, Bell, A Williams; Bevan, Lockwood; M Davies, K Jones, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Aiono, K Williams (co-capt), Callender (co-capt), King, with Sunny Lee and Hibiki Ikeda as assistant referees.