Wales 31 Scotland 24
CARDIFF - Wales scored 17 points in the last five minutes today to beat 13-man Scotland 31-24 in the Six Nations.
Scotland had led 24-14 against an error-strewn Wales side until it was reduced to 14 men by a yellow card to front row Scott Lawson.
A week after
it had itself conceded 17 points to England while a man down, Wales reduced the deficit when Leigh Halfpenny touched down for a converted try before Stephen Jones kicked a penalty to tie the scores.
Scotland replacement Phil Godman was then sent off for a try-saving foul but there was still time for winger Shane Williams to go over from the final move of the match to earn the home side a first win in this season's tournament.
"This was a day where attack won over defence and that's good for the game," Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards said. "It's one of the most dramatic games of rugby I've seen in my whole life, if not the most dramatic."
Scotland first five-eighths Dan Parks had orchestrated his team's performance until then, with first half tries by John Barclay and blood replacement Max Evans taking their team to the verge of a first away win in the tournament for four years.
"I don't think I've ever felt like this in any game I've ever been involved in," Scotland coach Andy Robinson said. "I've got mixed emotions but I've got to say the Scottish players have made their country very proud today."
Lee Byrne touched down for Wales midway through the second half to start the comeback from 21-9 down.
Jones finished with 16 points, while Parks kicked two penalties and two drop goals for Scotland, including one from near halfway.
Scotland fullback Chris Paterson struck an early conversion on his 100th international appearance before his record of 35 successful tournament kicks ended with a missed kick and he went off because of injury.
"You've got to feel sorry for the Scots," Wales coach Warren Gatland said.
Robinson said he agreed with Lawson's yellow card, but questioned the red given Godman for what the referee ruled was a cynical trip.
"I've no doubt it wasn't a penalty," Robinson said. "Phil Godman's jumped up for the ball. It's not a trip."
But Robinson said his players had "committed suicide" by not going straight for touch from the kickoff with the time at 80 minutes after Jones' score-tying penalty.
"The guys still felt they could have gone for the victory but with the numbers down it was difficult," Robinson said. "If they kick straight out, the game was over."
Scotland lost its opening match 18-9 to France last weekend but started strongly and went 7-0 ahead.
There seemed to be little danger when Gareth Cooper and James Hook went in to tackle Barclay about 20 metres from the line, but both Welsh backs bounced off the flanker and he was left completely free to charge in and touch down to the left of the posts.
Paterson slotted a straightforward conversion despite the discomfort of a right shoulder injury that had already required on-field treatment.
John Beattie then charged down right wing through some poor Welsh tackling. The move switched to the left side and Parks kicked through the defence with the outside of boot and Evans, on for his injured brother Thom, raced onto the ball to touch down just before bouncing over the dead ball line.
Thom Evans returned to the field but went down under a heavy challenge toward the end of the first half and was carried off after lengthy treatment for one of several injuries that blighted Scotland's day.
"He's got a back injury," Robinson said. "He's in hospital. We think it's very serious. Thom's parents are with him and Max knows. It's a big concern at the moment."
Scotland could even have got a third try at the start of the second half but Kelly Brown's effort on the left wing was ruled out because of a panicky forward pass in the buildup.
But Wales finally worked an overlap on the right and Williams released Byrne for a touchdown in the corner and 21-14.
Scotland then put huge pressure on Wales' line and, although Williams gathered Mike Blair's cross-field kick to prevent a try, Parks kicked his long-range drop goal to make it 24-14.
After warnings from the referee, Lawson went off for using hands on the ground. Jamie Roberts had a try ruled out for interference by Sam Warburton before Halfpenny raced into space down the right to cross and touch down behind posts to spark the late flurry.
Wales 31 (Lee Byrne, Leigh Halfpenny, Shane Williams tries; Stephen Jones 4 penalties, 2 conversions) def. Scotland 24 (John Barclay, Max Evans tries; Chris Paterson conversion; Dan Parks 2 drop goals, 2 penalties). HT: 9-18.
- AP
