Wales remain the best hope of carrying British colours into the semi-finals of the Under 21 World Cup after a hard-earned 24-18 victory over Argentina at Iffley Road on Tuesday.

It was a second pool victory for the Welsh, following their 37-19 success over Scotland on Friday.

Wales, the Six Nations champions at this age group, are a well-drilled outfit with an outstanding back row and a matchwinner in Cardiff fly half Nicky Robinson.

Following his 22-point haul against the Scots, Robinson added another 14 against the South Americans, who like their senior side, lacked the guile to turn their strong forward play into tries.

Robinson scored Wales's first ten points, with a penalty goal and then a try, following a chargedown by centre Scott Williams.

A superb threequarter move ended in a try by Wales right winger Jonathan Vaughton. Robinson converted with his sweet left foot to give them a 17-9 interval lead.

Argentina's full back, Francisco Bosch, missed a great chance of a try by kicking the ball over the deadball line, so they had to rely on three penalties from fly half Alfredo Cordone for their points.

In front of about 300 spectators, the second half became something of a stalemate, with Wales adding just a close-range try from prop Rhys Thomas and Robinson's conversion.

For Argentina, Cordone landed three more penalties. The last of them, with the final kick of the game, gave them a bonus point for finishing within seven points of their conquerors.

Wales took four points, failing to pick up a bonus as they were unable to score a fourth try.

In the Pool A-D table, Wales trail South Africa, who thrashed Canada 102-10 at Henley, by one point.

In last night's other match, Scotland went down 21-15 to Ireland at Newbury in front of a crowd of just under 1,000.