SCOTLAND 0 WALES 38
BARRY McGUFFOG, Hartree Mill Sports Grounds, Biggar, Saturday
WALES eased to a comfortable victory to set up a Celtic Cup decider with Ireland in Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday.
They managed to notch eight tries despite horrendous rainswept conditions, with each crucial to ensure they bettered Ireland’s 44-12 win over the Scots seven days prior, meaning a draw will be enough for the title next week.
Lewis Ingram crossed on seven minutes, Will Jones followed suit three minutes later, and Mike Butt dotted down in the twelfth minute.
Matty Fozard was unable, in the strong wind, to add any conversions but Charlie Newton enjoyed better fortune with the boot after man of the match Sam Grice pounced on a home error some four minutes afterwards.
The visitors went in at the break 22-0 ahead, thanks to Taine Woodford’s score as the half-hour approached, but it wasn’t until 13 minutes after the restart that Ant Walker raced in.
Oliver Garmston grabbed another try just shy of the hour (Newton landing his third goal) and an impressive victory was wrapped up when Ingram (of Bridgend Blue Bulls, and the first Welsh Conference player to turn out for Wales men in 21 years) claimed his second touchdown with twelve minutes left.
“They were definitely the worst conditions I’ve ever played or coached in,” said Wales head coach Paul Berry.
“Fair play to both sets of players for giving it their all out there. When discussions about a Celtic Cup began months ago, I don’t think amber weather warnings and storms were considered!
“We played the conditions better and our defence was outstanding, so it’s hard to be critical of anything.
“That’s two good wins in two weeks now so we’ve got a little momentum building ahead of Ireland at home next week. Both teams will likely be confident, and hopefully we can get the job done.”
Connor Terrill took Scotland’s player of the match accolade for a monumental effort.
Their coach, Adam Houston, said: “I’m disappointed with the result but the lads deserve a lot of credit for having a real dig in those conditions.
“We made too many errors and didn’t complete sets. Wales capitalised and punished us, they were clinical in that first 20 minutes.
“We had some good spells in the second half, but Wales defended well and we just couldn’t get over the line.
“Whilst the results haven’t gone our way these last two weeks, it’s good to be playing games and it allows us to set a platform for the future.
“I know the Celtic Cup has been months in the planning, and hopefully it can become an annual competition.”
SCOTLAND: Connor McGuiness, Shaun Callan, Tom Gray, Max Anderson-Moore, Jonny Hutton, Tom Glover, Joe Lowe, Connor Terrill, Morgan Punchard, Kieran Moran, Charlie Emslie, Josh Morrison, Ollie Maher. Subs: Ben Morris, Jacob Walker, Jack Temby, Seth Clapham
WALES: Sam Dickenson, Lewis Ingram, Oliver Garmston, Mike Butt, Will Jones, Charlie Newton, Tokoaitua Owen, Charlie Glover, Matty Fozard, Sam Bowring, Taine Woodford, Sam Grice, Finley Yates. Subs: Curtis Davies, Ed Williams, Connor Davies, Ant Walker
Tries: Ingram (7, 68), Jones (10), Butt (12), Grice (16), Woodford (27), Walker (53), Garmston (58); Goals: Fozard 0/3, Newton 3/5
Half-time: 0-22; Referee: Denton Arnold
