Ireland 12-16 Wales

Mar 9 2008 Pat Laverty Reports

WINGER Shane Williams grabbed the winning try that kept Wales on their Grand Slam march with a battling victory.

But the Welsh flyer - who equalled his country's record of 40 Test tries - was quick to pay tribute to an outsanding all-round team performance that saw his side wrest the Triple Crown from the Irish.

Williams, who has now scored 11 tries in eight games, said: "It is amazing.

"The last five minutes were the longest of my life. But the forwards stuck at it and we deserved to win."

Now Wales have to beat France next weekend to complete the Slam.

Welsh coach Warren Gatl and had identified Ronan O'Gara as Ireland's main danger man and his assessment was proved correct as the fly-half slotted four penalties in four attempts. And his kicking from hand was one of Ireland's few sources of refuge from the relentless Welsh assault.

But even the majestic O'Gara could not conjure a crucial try for his mediocre side. Wales played a quarter of the match with 14 men following the sin-binning of Mike Phillips and Martyn Williams but Ireland could still not break through.

O'Gara fired over two first-half penalties.

But the Welsh weathered an early storm before Stephen Jones reduced the deficit to 6-3 at half-time.

Wales showed patience and control after the restart and eventually Ireland served up a penalty that Jones scored to level.

Wales were flying now and that set the scene for Williams to take his place alongside Gareth Thomas as record try scorer.

The Ospreys' wing spotted half a gap, handed-off a poor attempted tackle from Andrew Trimble and darted over.

Jones added a superb touchline conversion and suddenly Wales were 13-6 in front.

However, Ireland battled on and O'Gara fired over two more penalties to set up a grandstand finish. But their hopes finally evaporated when James Hook - on for Jones at fly-half - landed a long-range penalty.

Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll will miss his country's clash with England after limping off late on with a hamstring tear.