Rugby League: Former Mold starlet Rhys Williams scores twice for Wales in European Cup rout of Serbia

Oct 29 2009 by Ben Coulbeck, Flintshire Chronicle

FLYING winger Rhys Williams is promising to make up for lost time after starring with a two-try display for Wales on Sunday.

The former Mold RUFC starlet, now plying his trade in rugby league for Super League side Warrington Wolves, scored a brace in Wales’ emphatic 88-8 victory over Serbia in Smederevo.

The Dragons now face Ireland at Pontypridd’s Sardis Road ground this Sunday (5pm) for a place in the European Cup final and 19-year-old Williams is hungry for another 80 minutes.

“Hopefully I’ll get another start after playing a full game against Serbia,” he said. “They worked hard against us but in the end we proved too skilful for them. We could have scored more really.

“The boys are playing well and Iestyn Harris is doing a great job as coach.”

Williams, who shot to prominence after being picked up by Llanelli Scarlets’ academy from Mold’s junior section, has enjoyed mixed fortunes since switching codes and completing a dream move to Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Despite not being able to make any first-appearances in the Wolves’ Super League campaign and featuring mainly for the academy side, Williams, who hails from Mynydd Isa, is determined to break into the Challenge Cup winners’ starting line-up next spring.

“I have had an up and down season really,” he said. “I was hoping for a few starts towards the end of the season but injuries got in the way.

“I am better prepared now and hopefully we can win these internationals with Wales, then get a good preseason under my belt and hopefully get some game time.

“I’m delighted to be at Warrington, playing at that level and being around those players is something you aspire to do so it’s great.”