Scotland claimed their first victory at the new home of Welsh rugby after a game that saw the lead change hands no less than seven times.
Rob Howley, playing in his final international Test for his country before retirement, displayed his fierce determination for a win at the outset as he made a charging break. Ian Gough and Andy Moore continued the move but were unable to cross the Scottish line.
It was left to Stephen Jones to secure Wales’s first points with a penalty after twelve minutes. He increased the Welsh lead to 9-0 after both Martin Leslie and Brendan Laney were penalised.
Although Mark Taylor made a superb break in which it looked likely that Wales were to inflict more points on the Scots, it was in fact the visitors who gained the first try score of the afternoon. Gordon Bulloch scored Scotland’s first at the close of the first quarter, but only after confirmation from video referee Didier Mene. Laney’s missed conversion attempt ensured Wales remained four points ahead yet another Scottish sore soon followed.
Kevin Morgan snuffed out a chance created by Chris Paterson but shortly before thirty minutes had passed, Bulloch added a second try for the Scots after a catch and drive move. Laney secured the additional two points and slotted over a penalty before the close of the first half to forge a 15-9 Scottish advantage.
Iestyn Harris came onto the field for the second half and his substitution paid dividends almost immediately for Welsh Coach Steve Hansen. Jones, now in the centre, stole Scottish ball and passed to the ever-impressive Howley. He found Harris, who neatly evaded John Leslie, subsequently passing to Rhys Williams to dive over for Wales’s sole try of the match.
Jones’s conversion took Wales into a slender 16-15 lead. A battle of the boots ensued between Jones and Laney in which the lead continued to change hands.
Jones’s successful kick in the 78th minute took Wales to 22-21 ahead, a narrow victory looking likely. Yet the day was to belong to Scotland as Robin McBryde gave away a penalty, Laney doing the honours for the Scots, before his replacement Duncan Hodge sealed the Scottish win with the final kick of the game.
