Welsh wizardry saves day

TWO tries from Louis ReesZammit inspired Wales to their second successive win in the Six Nations as they defeated 14-man Scotland 25-24 in a thrilling encounter at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Prop Zander Fagerson was shown a straight red by English referee Matthew Carley in the second half.

It was the second consecutive match where the Welsh beat a team reduced to 14 players, having overcome Ireland last Sunday when Peter O’Mahony was sent off.

“I thought we were excellent in large parts of that game,” Scotland captain Stuart Hogg said.

“Wales were outstanding, they took their opportunities but we gave them to them.”

Wales, who scored four tries to pick up a bonus point, will next play England while the Scots face France in two weeks.

Leigh Halfpenny put the Welsh 3-0 up early on – Chris Harris straying off-side – but Finn Russell levelled it in the 11th minute.

The Scots produced the first bit of fluent attacking play as the clock ticked towards the 20th minute.

Jonny Gray scythed through the Welsh defence and when the ball worked its way back to Alli Price, the Scottish halfback produced a moment of magic.

He chipped the ball over the Welsh defence with Darcy Graham running on to catch it and go over for his eighth try in 16th Tests. Russell converted for 10-3.

The hosts put clear blue water between themselves and Wales with 25 minutes on the clock. Hogg kicked ahead, Halfpenny spilled the ball and the Scotland captain ran on to collect the loose ball and touch down.

Hogg’s 21st try in his 82nd Test was crisply converted by Russell for 17-3.

But Wales continued to pressure the Scots and tries to Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams reduced the gap to 17-15.

The thrilling encounter swung back Wales’ way with a piece of individual brilliance from Rees-Zammit. The 20year-old kicked ahead and then outsprinted two Scottish defenders to touch down.

JONNY May admitted his spectacular try against Italy had been a “one in God knows how many scenario” after reigning Six Nations champions England returned to winning ways with a 41-18 victory at Twickenham on Saturday.

England ran in six tries in total against the ultimately outclassed Azzurri but none were more dramatic than May’s effort on the stroke of halftime when the winger leapt high in the air and touched down as he evaded the challenge of Italy’s Luca Sperandio.

May is now second in England’s all-time list of tryscorers.

Rory Underwood is top with 49 in 85 Tests.