Wales 28-21 Japan - Nations Championship result and reaction as tries from Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit help hosts to victory

Josh Adams scored two tries and Louis Rees-Zammit broke his own scoring drought as Wales edged Japan in the first of their Nations Championship Northern Series matches.

The win is Wales' second of the competition, following their victory over Fiji - against two defeats - in the Southern Series in July.

Twice Wales took the lead in the first half but Japan quickly got back on level terms before Rees-Zammit scored his first try in eight matches for his country just before the interval.

Much of the second half was a slog with neither side able to break through some stubborn defensive play before a weaving run from Blair Murray from deep in his own half set up Adams, via Tomas Williams, to run into the corner and seemingly seal the match.

Japan's replacements fired back with hooker Kenji Sato's sidestep on the wing and then Uwe Helu's power setting up Kenta Fukuda to score, leading to a tense finale that saw Wales hold out.

While the Wales back three stood out, they will be disappointed with some of their sloppy play with numerous ball-handling errors and lineout malfunctions which will need to be cleaned up for their match against the All Blacks next Saturday.

It was far from easy but Wales will take some confidence from that win. And they will need that against the All Blacks in their next match.

Japan were attacking again on the Wales 22 and the winger showing defensive qualities to go with his two tries, robs the ball in the ruck for his side.

Just one converted try in it now.

Replacement Sato with a great sidestep on the touchline and Helu powers forward and off-loads for Fukuda to touch down.

A fine flat kick from the touchline splits the uprights.

It has been a long wait in the second half! A brilliant burst from Murray weaving into Japanese territory and Williams passes to Adams who races just inside the corner flag to score his second try of the game. That should seal the game.

But the play is called back for a knock on. It was a smart kick from James that caused trouble, but Adams knocked-on into the in-goal area, allowing James to touch down.

A number of good runs got Japan close but Cornelsen was penalised to end the chance.

They were going back and forth in the Japan 22 but a couple of meters from the line, they lose the ball in the ruck and Fukada kicks up to the halfway line.

They have a chance to put some daylight between themselves and Japan with a line out from five metres out.

Like a wide receiver trying to take a contested catch, Rees-Zammit launched himself high in the air but could not keep hold of the ball. A fine run from Morgan set up the attack for Wales.

The home fans will hope this is an energy boost to get them putting Japan on the back foot.

And they looked like getting over the line but Lake manages to roll Cornelsen and rob the ball.

He gives away a penalty for not releasing and they now have a line out from just inside the Wales 22.

A great steal from Cornelsen gets Japan back the ball in their own 22.

But with men outside him his errant kick is a let off for the visitors.

A very competitive match with Wales just holding on to their advantage at the break.

Japan were on the cusp of the try-line but Smith grabbed the ball from the ruck and stopped Japan levelling for the third time.