Wales buck losing trend against Scots - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Wales buck losing trend against Scots

13/02/2011 02:13:38 PM Comments (0)

After eight games and almost a year without a victory, Wales finally got that winning feeling back on Saturday with a dour 24-6 triumph over Scotland in the Six Nations.

Wales' victory at Murrayfield was their first since beating Italy in March last year.

But rather than getting carried away with the win, Wales skipper Matthew Rees said the focus was now on their next match against the Italians in two weeks.

"We came here as underdogs, it's not an easy place to come and play...but we're not going to get too far ahead of ourselves. We've got a tough game in two weeks' time in Rome. We'll prepare for Italy, who are a tough challenge at home," he said.

Electrifying Wales winger Shane Williams and flyhalf James Hook were the stars for the visitors.

Williams the game's only two tries while Hook racked-up 14 points from the boot to leave the Scots winless after two outings this season after they lost 34-21 to France last weekend.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson said his team's performance had been unacceptable, notably when Wales were reduced to 13 men after 27 minutes of the first half.

Wales lock Bradley Davies was given a yellow card in the 23rd minute for holding the ball and four minutes later fullback Lee Byrne was also given a yellow for a high tackle on winger Max Evans.

The Welsh dominated possession and territory in the opening exchanges before the visitors stole a scrum against the feed near Scotland's line.

Hook then received some good ball before easing his way past pedestrian prop Allan Jacobsen with a smart dummy and then finding Williams, who crossed in the seventh minute for his eighth try in as many appearances against the Scots.

Hook kicked the simple conversion and followed that up with three quick penalties as the home side infringed at the ruck.

Scotland's first attacking chance came as late as the 23rd minute after Mike Phillips spilled an up-and-under.

Home side replacement Sean Lamont scooped up the ball and was brought down just short.

Irish referee George Clancy had no option but to yellow card Davies for holding up the ball before Byrne soon joined him on the sideline.

Wales withstood the line-out and drive to the corner and did well to restrict Scotland to a sole opening 32nd-minute penalty from Dan Parks with their team cut to 13 men.

Parks scuffed a second penalty chance on the stroke of half-time, and Hook also missed with a long-range effort in the opening minutes of the second period.

With fatigue creeping in, the match became scrappy as Parks landed a penalty before Hook cancelled that out with his fourth three-pointer soon after.

Williams scored his second try 10 minutes from fulltime after gathering a Jonathan Davies chip into unguarded Scottish territory.

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