Wales survive Scotland’s second-half onslaught to set-up Grand Slam tilt against Ireland
Relive all the action from the Six Nations clash at Murrayfield
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Wales survived a second-half onslaught from Scotland to prevail 18-11 at Murrayfield and take one step closer towards the Six Nations Grand Slam.
Wales were cruising to a fourth win out of four when at half-time it led 15-6, a scoreline that flattered the Scots, who were coming off two bumbling losses to Ireland and France.
Then Scotland suddenly came alive to own the second half. Grant Gilchrist was held up over the line, then Darcy Graham finished a brilliant backs move, and Scotland trailed by only four with 22 minutes to go and their crowd roaring them on.
Scotland had virtually all of the possession in the half, was forcing penalties, and had Wales pinned down, but the Scots found their progress hindered by their own errors, a spill or poor pass or turnover. Wales' renowned defense also came to the fore, as it made 138 tackles in the second half after 66 in the first.
The match finished with Wales in the Scotland 22 for the first time since the end of the first half, and Gareth Anscombe kicking a second penalty.
Relive all the action below.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
24 min: Scotland 6-10 Wales: Tommy Seymour leaves the field with the physicality of the game starting to take it's toll. That's the Scots third change already and Blair Kinghorn is struggling.
Wales manage to immediately gain back the four-point advantage as McInally is penalised for failing to roll away after some strong encouragement from Gareth Davies in the direction of the referee. Anscombe sends a nice kick between the posts from distance.
28 min: TRY! Scotland 6-15 Wales (Jonathan Davies): A big spell of pressure for Warren Gatland's side culminates in Davies charging over the line after over 20+ phases in the Scottish 22. Anscombe misses the conversion.
Scotland just had no match for Wales's attrition and it was Hadleigh Parkes who eventually broke through the back line. There's a danger the Welsh could run away with this now.
33 min: Scotland 6-15 Wales: Blair Kinghorn can't continue and that's another bitter blow to Scotland. Meanwhile, his replacement, Adam Hastings, is immediately put under pressure via a high swirling kick from George North.
Hastings deals with it well before Liam Williams leaps highest to claim the return kick and Wales are on the attack once more. Anscombe kicks brilliantly to the corner and Wales win a penalty after the lineout.
37 min: Scotland 6-15 Wales: Anscombe pulls the penalty and it bounces back into play off the upright. Hadleigh Parkes wins the loose ball and Wales immediately spread the ball through hands down the left before Josh Adams is forced into touch via a brilliant tackle from Adam Hastings just short of the line.
HT: Scotland 6-15 Wales: Scotland are forced back over their tryline from the lineout and it's a scrum on the five-metre line. Wales search for their third try, and go to Josh Adams, who's been fantastic this first-half, but this time he knocks on and the whistle goes for half-time.
And we're back underway for the second-half at Murrayfield where Scotland are looking to clamber back a nine-point deficit.
42 min: Scotland 6-15 Wales: A long series of kicks begins the second-half with Wales eventually coming off best, winning the lineout in the Scotland half before going through the phases.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments