WALES justified their higher world rankings when they proved too strong for Ireland in the first game of the European Netball league at Dublin City University winning by 57 points to 30.

The visitors were always ink command and while they outscored the Irish on a two to one basis this does not fully reflect the closeness of the encounter particularly in the opening period. Wales led by 15 points to nine at the end of the first quarter and while they doubled their tally to lead by 16 points, 30-14, at the midway point Ireland were only able to score five further points.

The third quarter was Ireland's best spell during which they scored 10 points but Wales, with Jocelyn Brown tallying 32 points, were also notching up the points with ease. Ireland's top scorer was Catrine Lawlor with 19 while Martina Lawless got 11 points.

The under 21 game also resulted in another facile victory for the visitors. Mair Evans who stood head and shoulders above everyone else was the woman mainly responsible for the 61-14 scoreline. Indeed Evans scored 36 of her sides tally in the opening half and thankfully did not make an appearance in the second half with her replacement, Bethan Murphy, not quite as prolific only scoring six points. Frances Jacob was the top Irish scorer on the same total