Wales 50 Samoa 6

Wales stormed to a record win over Samoa at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday evening to notch up their first victory over the Islanders since 1988.

It was a good day for Graham Henry's team, particularly recalled No.10 Arwel Thomas who was at the heart of his side's effort and finished the day off with a personal tally of 20 points.  The Swansea maestro thrived in the perfect conditions, the pitch having been saved from a soaking by the sliding roof at the stadium.

Despite suffering an injury scare in the week leading up to the game, Neath wing Shane Williams scored two tries showing an impressive turn of pace against a typically abrasive Samoa side.

Wales started slowly but eventually the gulf in class told between the men in red and a Samoa team who were missing many of their star players through a player boycott.

There were also tries for new skipper Mark Taylor, Northampton's Allan Bateman and Newport lock Ian Gough, while Australian referee Stuart Dickinson also awarded Wales a penalty try in the 69th minute.  "We had to win -- and win well," said coach Henry.  "There was pressure on us to score points against an experienced Samoan side, and I thought we played some good stuff in the second half.

"Having said that, I thought that we were a bit rusty.  It was our first international of the season and hopefully we can move further up the ladder next week when we play the USA.  We need to produce a more complete performance for longer periods of the game."

Wales led by 16 points at half-time and cut loose in the second half and it augurs well for Wales' upcoming matches against the USA and South Africa.

"I am over the moon with the result," said captain Taylor.  "It was a bit nerve-wracking early on and we took time to settle.  But we ended up with six tries, and I have got to be happy with that."

The Teams:

Wales:  1 Iestyn Thomas, 2 Garin Jenkins, 3 Ben Evans, 4 Ian Gough, 5 Deiniol Jones, 6 Geraint Lewis, 7 Colin Charvis, 8 Scott Quinnell, 9 Rob Howley, 10 Arwel Thomas, 11 Shane Williams, 12 Scott Gibbs, 13 Mark Taylor (c), 14 Allan Bateman, 15 Rhys Williams
Reserves:  Nathan Budgett, James Griffiths, Dafydd James, Neil Jenkins, Spencer John, Andrew Lewis, Rupert Moon

Samoa:  1 Polo Asi, 2 Onehunga Matauiau Esau (c), 3 Tuaifuaina Veiru, 4 Opeta Palepoi, 5 Sika Poching, 6 Luke Mealamu, 7 A. Vaeluaga, 8 Junior Maligi, 9 Stephen So'oilao, 10 Quintan Sanft, 11 Faasuaga Taua, 12 Fa'apulou So'olefai, 13 Fereti Tuilagi, 14 Filipo Toala, 15 Veli Patu
Reserves:  Joe Mamea, Pule Misa, Mahonri Schwalger, Dan Tafeamalii, Setefano Tone
Unused:  Aleki Toleafoa, Ioane Evalu

Referee:  Dickinson s.

Points Scorers:

Wales
Tries:  Gough I.M. 1, Williams S.M. 2, Penalty Try 1, Bateman A.G. 1, Thomas A.C. 1
Conv:  Thomas A.C. 4
Pen K.:  Thomas A.C. 4

Samoa
Pen K.:  Patu H.V. 1, Sanft Q. 1