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CARDIFF - Tournament favourites Ireland survived a fierce Welsh challenge before emerging 19-9 winners in a breathless Six Nations rugby encounter at the Millennium Stadium today.
Ireland scored three tries, through Rory Best, Brian O'Driscoll and Ronan O'Gara, while injury-hit Wales managed only three first-half penalties by Stephen
Jones but the game was finely poised for long periods.
Ireland's finishing eventually gave them the edge as normal service was resumed in the Welsh capital where Wales' grand slam success two years ago was their only victory over Ireland there since 1983.
Ireland got a dream start when O'Driscoll charged down a Jones kick and hooker Best scooped up the ball to score after 45 seconds.
If Wales were rattled though, they recovered their poise quickly and soon took control.
Three Jones penalties were fair reward for their pressure but Ireland, hanging on for half an hour, regained the lead in the 34th minute.
Geordan Murphy, on as a blood replacement for Denis Hickie, caught his own high kick to put the Welsh under pressure. The ball was moved swiftly right to O'Driscoll, who cut inside to beat the first tackler then spun and stretched over the line to score.
O'Gara, who had missed his first two kicks at goal, was spot on with the wide conversion to give the visitors a 12-9 lead after a breathless half.
The game continued to ebb and flow at a terrific pace but half an hour passed without further score as both defences maintained their discipline and concentration.
However, Ireland gradually cranked up the pressure and it paid off eight minutes from time.
A sharp passing move set up Gordon D'Arcy for a powerful break and though he was held up inches short the ball was recycled to O'Gara to score in the corner.
The first five-eighth slotted an excellent conversion to earn a 10-point cushion and Ireland were able to celebrate yet another Cardiff success.
"It was a battle royal from start to finish," Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said.
"We created a lot of problems by not being accurate and Wales were thriving on our mistakes and put us under a lot of pressure.
"But we dug out a result, we scored three tries and didn't give one up. It wasn't a vintage performance but something we can build on.
"If we play like we did today against France we'll be in trouble."
Welsh halfback Dwayne Peel said his team were frustrated to have got nothing from the game: "We felt as if in the first half for large parts we dominated, we played some good rugby and were very disappointed to come in 12-9 down at halftime," he said.
"We were guilty in the second half of giving too much ball away and making too many silly errors and in fairness to Ireland, with the kicking game they've got, they capitalised on it."
- REUTERS
