WALES finished a disappointing WXV2 with a 19-10 win over Japan in Cape Town.

Ioan Cunningham's side had suffered a hammering by Australia and loss to Italy but ended on a winning note, scoring three tries to two at Athlone Stadium.

Wales came flying out of the blocks and got their first try in the 10th minute when wing Nel Metcalfe charged down a kick after Japanese dithering and dotted down.

It was 12-0 after 14 minutes when good interplay by the back row put scrum-half Keira Bevan racing away for a try that she converted herself.

Wales thought they had a third in the 29th minute when Bethan Lewis powered over but very late TMO intervention correctly pointed out that the route to the line had been illegally cleared by lock Natalia John.

Wales did extend their lead just three minutes after the restart after a 15-phase Japan attack.

Olympian Jasmine Joyce picked off a pass close to her own line and raced the length of the field for a try that Bevan converted.

Wing Misaki Matsumura finished strongly down the left to get Japan on the scoreboard in the 62nd minute and then Wales had to end with 14 players after centre Hannah Bluck was yellow-carded for a high tackle that could easily have been red with six minutes to go.

Japan went over with three minutes to go through fly-half Ayasa Otsuka but the conversion failed to ensure it wasn't a nervy finale.