By Andrew Collins
March 20 2006

Wales can be proud of their 5th place finish in the commonwealth games, a great show and enterprsing rugby aswell as a Plate trophie to bring home.

Blues captain Rhys Williams lifted the Plate along with Rithie Pugh as wales Commonwealth 7's squad capped a great tournament in brilliant fashion.

Joining Williams in Melbourne were fellow Cardiff players Wayne Evans and the very successful Sowden-Taylor.

Having beaten Kenya and Namibia on the way, Wales lost to Fiji, who eventually finished 3rd, in the Quater Finals. They then entered a race for 5th place with 3 other sides, who aswell as aiming for the 5th spot were also hoping to get their hands on the 2nd tier trophy, the Plate.

On their way to lifting the Plate, wales overcame a renowned Samoa sidde with worrying ease before an incredible turn around in the final against South Africa.

Despite going 14-0 down, wales went in after the first 10 minutes losing 14-12, but when South Africa streched their lead to 28-12, things looked well and truely over. That until a miraculas 3 minutes turned the game on it's head.

Substitute Tal Selley scored a fantastic solo try, an arched run around the defence gave Wales no more than credit for a good performance,but when Rhys Williams scored in the corner with under a minute to go, there was suddenly a chance, allbeit small, to get something from the game.

At 28-24, nothing less than a try would've done the Welsh, and with 6 seconds on the clock when Hook took his restart, it seemed impossible the Welsh could complete such a turnaround. But when the Africans were pinned for holding on, the hooter went to signal the last play. From half way the Welsh attacks the Bokka to the far right corner. Just as it looked as though we'd been turned over, james Hook rescued the ball with 7 meteres to the line. His dummy pass opened just enough space to make a short dart, and he needed every inch of his height to strech onto the line securing an incredible 29-28 win against the 4th placed seed.

After the game, an elated Di Rees said,

"We have beaten some quality teams to win this and I hope people realise back home that this is a very high standard of rugby and I hope we continue to play it in Wales because everyone has benefited from it."

And he made special credit to the Blues skipper,

"People like Rhys Williams deserve a special mention. This is the first time he has played sevens rugby and he has been absolutely amazing. It has been a hard season for him and hopefully this will spark his international comeback and a return to form at regional level."

"I am so proud of the boys and they all deserve the success because they have worked so hard."

It was a great specticle to watch, and fantastic to see the Welsh doing so well in a magnificent tournament.

Well done to all the boys!