Wales made it two Six Nations wins out of two courtesy of a free-flowing 30-15 victory over Scotland at Millennium Stadium on Sunday, but the boys of blue had the measure of the heroes of Twickenham for much of the game.
So Warren Gatland's revival of Wales continues, and -- as a consequence -- Scotland's dismal slump goes from bad to worse. That Scotland were within a score of taking the lead until the final fifteen minutes owes more to Welsh indiscipline than to their own creative play -- as in all honesty they created little of note.
On the other hand, Wales created plenty yet were unable to convert their chances, seemingly leaving Twickenham last week with a touch of England's yips. So much so that Gatland's hand was forced with twenty minutes to go, at which point he hauled off James Hook and Mike Phillips for the more recognisable half-back pairing of Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones.
To many it may have seemed Gatland was panicking, not so. For while Hook and Phillips thrive on the open spaces they can sometimes lack the direction required to tighten a game up. There was no such problem for Jones and Peel who, within eight minutes of their arrival, had secured the game for Wales.
Long before the arrival of the under-pressure Scarlets duo, Wales -- whilst playing a flowing style of rugby -- were, through their own ill discipline, allowing a distinctly average Scotland side to remain in the game. Chris Paterson's metronomic boot ensuring Wales never really got out of sight.
Frank Hadden will have serious concerns over the lack of creative spark in his side: only one clean line-break in 80 minutes highlighting the magnitude of his problems. But for Paterson's five penalties it would have been a total rout. With little else available to Hadden it is difficult to see where Scotland go from here.
Both sides were committed to playing an open game, and thus it ebbed and flowed from the moment Dan Parks got the game going. Sadly for Scotland though their inadequacies from last week were still there for all to see, resulting in a fragmented game at times.
Wales, trailing to the first of Paterson's penalties, hit back in stunning fashion as Shane Williams rounded off a fine move stemming from a Scotland error. Hugo Southwell's poor chip was gathered by the robust Phillips who set the platform for a sweeping move. With Scotland in disarray Henson and Hook created the space for Lee Byrne to free Shane Williams out wide. A customary side-step from the little wing allowed him to scorch over, with Hook adding the extras.
The rest of the half was a fairly drab affair as both sides came up with an unusual number of schoolboy errors. Scotland showed some character to hold out whilst down to fourteen men -- Nathan Hines cooling his heels for a reckless backhander on Lee Byrne -- and managed to head into the break just four points adrift.
Again Paterson pegged Wales back early in the second half, reducing the deficit to just one point, before Hook eased Welsh nerves with a try of his own. It was the Cardiff Blues duo of Martyn Williams and Jamie Roberts who created the space, and despite a poor pass from Adam Jones, Hook was able to gather the ball on the bounce before dancing past Euan Murray to go over in the corner.
Still Wales were unable to take full control on the game as again Paterson chipped away at their lead, two more penalties bringing Scotland back to within two points. It was at this stage Gatland had seen enough and sent Peel and Jones in to rescue a game that was in danger of passing Wales by.
Ten minutes later the Scarlets duo had guided Wales into a winning position, aided by a dazzling second try from Shane Williams -- the legitimacy of which will be debated long into the Cardiff night. Jones slotted a simple penalty before releasing Williams on a scorching run, although his foot appeared to graze the touchline before he grounded the ball. Not so, said the TMO. Mark Cueto will have been watching, wishing he was afforded the same leniency at the World Cup.
With the game as good as over, Jones added the final nail in the Scottish coffin with a superb long range penalty, condemning Hadden's men to a second straight defeat. They rallied late on but were unable to breach the Welsh line, the ball finally being turned over after a barrage of close attacks were repelled by some stout Welsh defence.
As to where Scotland go from here is anyone's guess, although at this rate it is looking like a second consecutive Wooden Spoon. Wales, on the other hand, are two from two and looking like a side returning to form -- they are just 80 minutes from a Triple Crown.
Man of the Match: For Scotland Chris Paterson was the only player to emerge with any real credit, his boot proving as effective as ever despite being under used in recent weeks. But it is hardly surprising this award goes to a Welshman, of which their were several to choice between. Gavin Henson is on his way back to his best and in Jamie Roberts Wales have a real talent. The big Cardiff Blues wing was full of aggressive running and looked totally at home in his first international. But it was his Cardiff Blues team-mate Martyn Williams who won our vote. As is often the case Williams was ever-present, mixing it in the tight and loose to great effect. A tremendous all round display from the man they call 'Nugget'.
Moment of the Match: Without a doubt it was Shane William's second try, for it came at a time when Scotland were still within a chance. The moment Carlo Damasco, the TMO, awarded a controversial try and Scotland were dead and buried.
Villain of the Match: There was nothing of note but this one goes to Nathan Hines for his unnecessary back hand on Lee Byrne. Hats off to Byrne for taking it on the cheek and not playing up for the cameras.
The scorers:
For Wales:
Tries: Williams 2, Hook
Cons: Hook 2, S Jones
Pens: Hook, S Jones 2
Drops:
For Scotland:
Pens: Paterson 5
The Teams:
Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Jamie Roberts, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Gavin Henson, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones (c), 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Deiniol Jones, 19 Gareth Delve, 20 Dwayne Peel, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Sonny Parker.
Scotland: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Andrew Henderson, 11 Simon Webster, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Mike Blair, 7 John Barclay, 8 Kelly Brown, 6 Jason White (c), 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Fergus Thomson, 17 Gavin Kerr, 18 Scott MacLeod, 19 Allister Hogg, 20 Chris Cusiter, 21 Graeme Morrison, 22 Hugo Southwell.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Christophe Berdos (France)
Television match official: Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Assessor: Jim Bailey (Wales)
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