Wales 26 Scotland 18

Wales beat Scotland 26-18 at the Millennium Stadium to give their under-pressure coach, New Zealander Graham Henry a win he desperately needed.

The build-up to this match had been dominated by the dropping of New Zealand-born players, Brett Sinkinson and Shane Howarth from the Wales side after doubts were raised about their eligibility.

But it was two native Welshmen, winger Shane Williams with two tries and fly-half Stephen Jones, with an excellent kicking display, who guided Wales to their second Six Nations win of the season.

The defeat leaves last ever Five Nations champions Scotland without a win after four matches and favourites for the wooden spoon when they face England, on course for a Grand Slam, at Murrayfield in two weeks time.  The opening exchanges were a clear sign of the lack of quality in both teams.  Wales had the lion's share of possession but a lack of quick ball meant the Scotland defence could cover Wales' early attacks.  When Scotland did have the ball basic handling errors let them down.

Wales took the lead when fly-half Jones, playing in place of the injured Neil Jenkins, kicked an eighth minute penalty after Scotland had strayed offside.

Neath winger Williams, whose pace raised spirits in the home crowd every time he received the ball, burst forward in the ninth minute but he was well-tackled by opposing winger Glenn Metcalfe.

Scotland equalised when fly-half Duncan Hodge coverted an easy penalty chance from 15 metres out in the 24th minute after Wales were offside.  Hodge was extremely unlucky to see a 34th minute penalty attempt from 49 metres hit the left post and five minutes later, when Wales were offside again, his effort from 40 metres out hit the right upright.

Just before the end of the half, Wales scored the try their first-half dominance deserved.  Jones kicked ahead, centre Allan Bateman followed up with a kick of his own and Williams won the race for the touch-down in the 37th minute.

Jones converted and in first-half injury time his 40 metre penalty, after Scotland lock Stuart Grimes was offside, gave Wales a 13-3 lead at the interval.  But it was Scotland, perhaps inspired by coach Ian McGeechan's half-time talk, who started the second period the stronger.  In the 46th minute they came back into the game with a try.  Gregor Townsend, playing his 50th international for Scotland, sent a well-timed pass to full-back Craig Paterson.

He was held up just short of the line but from the resulting ruck, flanker Martin Leslie dived over.  Hodge converted and Scotland had reduced the deficit to 13-10.  Jones and Hodge then exchanged penalties to leave Wales 16-10 ahead.

Then in the 63rd minutes Wales scored the game's decisive try.  Williams, reacting sharply, took a quick lineout, after Scotland had cleared.  He exchanged passes with Gareth Thomas and the ball was moved to the right.  With the defence sucked in the ball was moved back left to Williams, who finished what he started with a fine try.

Scotland's Metcalfe was sin-binned for a late tackle on 71 minutes after team-mate, lock Budge Pountney, had been held up just short of the line by good Wales team defence.

With three minutes remaining Townsend marked his 50th international with a try, the ball bouncing off his thigh before he touched down.  Referee David McHugh of Ireland, consulted with English touch judge Steve Lander, before correctly awarding the score.

Scotland couldn't make the most of several minutes of injury-time and Wales hung on for a vital win.

The Teams:

Wales:  1 Peter Rogers, 2 Garin Jenkins, 3 Dai Young (c), 4 Ian Gough, 5 Andrew Moore, 6 Nathan Budgett, 7 Colin Charvis, 8 Geraint Lewis, 9 Rupert Moon, 10 Stephen Jones, 11 Shane Williams, 12 Allan Bateman, 13 Mark Taylor, 14 Gareth Thomas, 15 Matt Cardey
Unused:  Alix Popham, Richard Smith, Jason Strange, Dafydd James, Spencer John, Robin McBryde, Martyn Williams

Scotland:  1 Tom Smith, 2 Steve Brotherstone, 3 Mattie Stewart, 4 Stuart Grimes, 5 Scott Murray, 6 Budge Pountney, 7 Martin Leslie, 8 Stuart Reid, 9 Andy Nicol, 10 Duncan Hodge, 11 Glenn Metcalfe, 12 John Leslie (c), 13 Gregor Townsend, 14 Craig Moir, 15 Chris Paterson
Reserves:  Gordon Bulloch, Dave Hilton
Unused:  Alan Bulloch, Cameron Mather, Bryan Redpath, Doddie Weir

Referee:  Mchugh d.t.m.

Points Scorers:

Wales
Tries:  Williams S.M. 2
Conv:  Jones S.M. 2
Pen K.:  Jones S.M. 4

Scotland
Tries:  Leslie M.D. 1, Townsend G.P.J. 1
Conv:  Hodge D.W. 1
Pen K.:  Hodge D.W. 2