Wales 30-15 Scotland

Feb 10 2008 David Kelso Reports

SLOPPY Scotland suffered another Six Nations sickener as Wales stepped up their amazing Test stage revival.

Now Frank Hadden's strugglers face a real fight to dodge the dreaded wooden spoon for the second season on the spin.

The coach had vowed his side would show much more in the way of battling qualities and slicker skills in the wake of the French farce last weekend.

But they were out-thought and out powered at the Millennium Stadium by the born-again Taffs, who now look a good bet to be surprise contenders for the title.

Hadden was left raging over the award of the third Welsh touchdown as TV replays clearly showed Shane Williams' toe had hit the sideline. But in reality anything other than a clear-cut home success would have been a travesty.

The Scots had made another jittery and disjointed start and were lucky not to fall behind early on. But not only did they somehow weather the early storm, they silenced the crowd by edging in front during their first visit to the Welsh 22 area.

Andy Henderson's interception led to a kick and chase featuring Chris Paterson and Tom Shanklin.

Shanklin got their first. However, Wales were pressured into giving away a penalty at the next lineout - and Paterson was spoton with his angled effort.

The strike spurred the hosts into more offensive action of their own and it was no surprise when they created a superb try in the 13th minute. A misdirected lob from Scotland full-back Hugo Southwell teed up the chance for opposite number Lee Byrne to create the time and space for winger Shane Williams to leave Nikki Walker for dead on his cruise to glory. James Hook added the conversion.

And Scotland were adrift by a further three points as Hook confidently slotted a penalty from close range.

Scots skipper Jason White then went off injured and was replaced by Ally Hogg and they instantly repaired some of the damage with a pinpoint penalty from Paterson.

Wales carved out more opportunities in the build-up to the interval.

However, a combination of spills and terrier-like defending allowed Scotland to stay in the picture.

The Scots were hungrier after the restart with Hogg making a telling break in midfield.

John Barclay and Walker made further inroads and were rewarded with Paterson's third penalty to close the gap to a point.

The anticipation of the Tartan Army was short-lived however as Wales snapped up their second try.

Scotland's marking was woefully inadequate - and Hook slipped between Ross Ford and Euan Murray to reach the line with ease.

The cool-headed outside-half then banged over the tricky conversion.

The second half was proving to be much more open and exciting and the Scots underlined their resilience in adversity by adding another penalty from Paterson.

And he was instantly back in the spotlight to take his tally to five with a 40-metre strike after Ian Gough had floored Allan Jacobsen with a dangerous challenge.

Substitute Stephen Jones restored the Welsh edge with a point-blank penalty 15 minutes from time.

Then came the crucial and cruel moment that finally snuffed out the Scots. Shane Williams embarked on a winding dash past Walker and into the corner for his second score - eventually endorsed by video ref Carlo Damasco.

The try should not have stood but the Welshmen deserved to get the verdict for their fine play.

Stephen Jones gleefully banged over the conversion and followed up with a penalty.