Williams double sinks Scots
9 Feb 2008
Shane Williams scored a brace as Wales surged to a 30-15 victory over Scotland in Cardiff.
Scotland had fought back to within five points in the final quarter before a typical piece of Williams magic handed them a comfortable 27-15 lead. Williams accelerated through a gap and drove for the line despite the intentions of Scotland winger Nikki Walker. Video evidence suggested Williams’s foot brushed the touchline, but the TMO ruled the try had been scored.
Both teams were guilty of handling errors early on which limited what was shaping to be a free-flowing game. Wales battled to score when camped on the Scottish tryline, and their first try was born from a misdirected Scotland kick. The subsequent phase saw the ball go as far as Williams, who cut back inside for a beautiful try.
The Welsh finishing didn’t improve, with a Martyn Williams pass drifting forward to an unmarked Shane Williams. The hosts failed to capitalise when Scotland lock Allister Hogg was sin-binned, and the Scots went to the break only trailing 6-10.
James Hook, who produced another great performance at pivot, slipped through a gap early in the second half after Wales launched a lateral attack. The Scottish defence that had begun so brilliantly disintegrated as the match wore on.
Chris Paterson, who was shifted to the left wing, kept the Scots in touch through his unerring boot. The visitors were never in the game as far as producing an impact on attack was concerned, but Paterson’s five penalties kept them within striking distance for much of the match.
The win is the second in Wales’ Six Nations campaign and the second for new coach Warren Gatland. Although the former Waikato man will be thrilled with the result, it’s clear the Welsh need to sharpen their finishing before they meet Italy in two weeks time. A win against the Azzuri is likely, however, and three victories will provide a great launchpad for a title assault when they meet Ireland and France in March.
Wales - Tries: Shane Williams (2), James Hook. Conversions: Hook (2), Stephen Jones. Penalties: Hook, Jones (2).
Scotland – Penalties: Chris Paterson (5).
28 Comments
9 Feb 2008, 17:45 pm
That last try was NOT ONE…simple as that.
9 Feb 2008, 17:51 pm
Ruck
This your new laptop?
Agree not a try. On the button with my superbru prediction though so I’m not crying.
9 Feb 2008, 17:54 pm
Is daar ‘n plek op die web waar ‘n mens ‘live 6 nations rugby commentary’ kan luister oor die radio ?
Kom nie reg by BBC se webblaaie nie, moet daar woon om op te vang.
9 Feb 2008, 17:55 pm
O ja, and I’ve got Ireland by 6 for this game!
Here we go! Go Ireland!!
9 Feb 2008, 18:01 pm
JC it was Shanklin not M.Williams pass that didn’t find S.Williams. The Scottish lock that got binned was Hines I think. But definitely Shanklin’s pass.
9 Feb 2008, 18:15 pm
Should I walk over to the living room and turn the TV to a channel broadcasting 6 Nations rugby?
Nah. Prefer the CNN US election updates. And Animal Planet’s expose on the life cycle of the butterfly larvae.
9 Feb 2008, 18:20 pm
#6 – Tacitus u plebian….Being a B fan, you would be gobsmacked by some of the marvellous backline play being offered by the Frogs and believe it or not Ireland….Ruggerie’s run etc.
Go on Taci, it’ll blow yr mind…..
9 Feb 2008, 18:22 pm
#2 – Hello Isi..No its not….We spent 2 hrs strolling around…I asked about 600 irrelevant questions, then my hubby lost it….mission NOT accomplished. Tomm another day.
Taci, Vincent Clerq scored a beauty….
9 Feb 2008, 18:25 pm
Hi Ruck
I just don’t find 6 Nations or Heineken Cup rugby interesting.
Sometimes I think I am less of a RUGBY fan than a BULLS and BOK fan. For example, I struggle to watch a game where I am not rooting for any particular side. To me it is rather boring when I am not emotionally involved in the contest.
Something for me to ponder on…Might lead to a revelation of some sort. Or maybe just to a headache.
9 Feb 2008, 18:27 pm
Tact
Ek lees dat ou Pierre Spies sy naam gaan verander na Pierre Spuitnaald. Hoeveel shots het die klong dan nou gevat dat die petrol nog steeds nie uit sy system is nie?
9 Feb 2008, 18:31 pm
Why can we not have the 6 nations and Heineken Cup fixtures listed on the blog?
9 Feb 2008, 18:33 pm
Tacitus, c’mon. I can’t believe you genuinely just can’t enjoy a game of rugby for the magnificence IT is. I can’t believe (whomever one supports is irrelevant), that you can’t be moved by the sheer awesomeness of the French backs in full flight……Or an outstandig Irish tackle…
Hell, maybe I’m the batty one. I just love the game….I even manage to find the beauty in a Bulls rolling maul…..
Oh well…
9 Feb 2008, 18:35 pm
KingPaul
Compared to the spuitpoep Problems has done south?
9 Feb 2008, 18:36 pm
ruck
For you personally the beauty is if you are in between the maul.
9 Feb 2008, 18:40 pm
Tac #9 that is unfortunate.
Wouldn’t want to be emotionally involved in the Bulls this season. That could be enough to turn you into a permanent mindless redneck fool (wathing CNN all the time).
9 Feb 2008, 18:55 pm
The Frogs really on top of their game. Showing off their running skills. Heymans is brilliant.
The Irish look jet-lagged. Hoping for a better second half from them.
This game is 100 times better than the previous.
9 Feb 2008, 18:57 pm
Jondood, the master of the nasty one liner and flamer of note. Maybe because you actually have nothing intelligent to say….
9 Feb 2008, 18:58 pm
Koning Paulus
Gaan nie meer ‘n moer bloed skenk nie. Gehoor my bloed gaan als vir Spies se bloed-vervangings.
Steroids een kant uit en my bloed anderkant in!
****, die game is aan!
9 Feb 2008, 19:07 pm
Donner maar die Iere is kuk. Hulle befok my hele Superbru!!
9 Feb 2008, 19:15 pm
Hoekom is daar nie n thread vir die game nie?
9 Feb 2008, 19:21 pm
Mickey Arthur sacked!
9 Feb 2008, 23:11 pm
9.
I read that for some ‘traditional’ South African rugby supporters winning is simply an extension of the belief that they are superior to all others. Perhaps this is why you cannot enjoy the game on foreign fields?
10 Feb 2008, 07:16 am
Two out of two for NZ coach, Warren Gatland.
10 Feb 2008, 07:54 am
The Bulls backline looks so exciting and full of idea’s, skill, panache and talent when compared to Scotlands backline. Man they are just plain ****!
10 Feb 2008, 08:45 am
Hmmmmm. Seems anyone who thought Wales is gonna be a walkover when they tour SA in June, may well have to reassess the situation.
They’re not doing too badly in the 6N.
Although, having said that, they haven’t really come up against any quality opposition yet.
Last week against the Poms they were nowhere, until the Poms began to “believe their own press” and switched off the engines. (The 1st half saw only England in the game!!).
Then, this week, they were neck and neck with the Scots for much of the game. And the last try, which should not have been awarded, made the Dragons seem like they had an easy win.
I mean, neck and neck with Scotland (and on your home ground). Come on now…that’s hardly cause for celebration!
Is the so-called “revival” of Welsh rugby under Warren Gatland really upon us? I have my doubts, but let’s wait til they play the Frogs and the Irish, and then make a call.
For my money, the red jerseys will still struggle at the altitude of Bloem and Pretoria, and against a team which will still consist of the bulk of the World Cup winning players.
Peter de Villiers was at the Millennium Stadium yesterday to watch his first opponents as Bok Coach.
I shouldn’t think he had a sleepless night last night.
Whadda you guys say?
10 Feb 2008, 11:47 am
Big Hit #22,
No…………Many of us who reside in Southern Climes find Northern Hemisphere Rugby one dimensional. We are interested in the results…….but not in inflicting 80 minutes of boredom upon ourselves.
Actually if England were expelled from the 6N this would boost SH interest. France and Wales at least have the potential, and a history, of playing attractive rugby.
English rugby…….Kick and Clap.
10 Feb 2008, 12:29 pm
NZ rugby = quarter final knockout
10 Feb 2008, 15:47 pm
Wales will make changes for the game against Italy BUT Purvis insists
“its not rotation but giving players an opportunity”
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