Wales' victory at Stadio Pacevecchia in Benevento also maintained their hopes of a top-four finish and automatic qualification for the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup.

It was Italy, who came into the match buoyant after victories over France and Scotland in their opening two matches, who opened the scoring on four minutes - fly-half Veronica Schiavon notching a fourth-minute penalty.

But Wales hit back and after fine work from their industrious pack, the visitors worked Edwards over the try-line in the 27th minute from a lineout deep in the Italy half.

Wales missed the conversion however and Italy retook the lead thanks to Schiavon's second penalty of the match but the visitors edged their noses ahead on the stroke of half-time.

In a similar move to their first try, Harries followed Edwards' example and crossed the whitewash after another excellent move by the Wales forwards from a lineout.

Again the conversion was missed however and Italy continued to carry the fight to their opposition and Schiavon reduced the gap to just one with her third penalty of the match just two minutes after the half-time interval.

Italy were unable to get themselves ahead however and Wales' led by four when scrum-half Laura Prosser knocked over a well struck penalty on 58 minutes.

The hosts were not willing to go quietly however and brought the scores to 13-12 when Schiavon scored her four penalty of the afternoon with 16 minutes left on the clock.

Prosser slotted her second penalty in the 78th minute and it was all hands to the pump as Italy hit back through a fifth penalty late on.

Resolute defence ensured Italy never got another sniff of any points as Wales registered their first win of the campaign to remain on course of qualifying automatically for next year's World Cup in France.