North and Davies strike as Wales extend Scotland’s Cardiff misery
CARDIFF, United Kingdom: Wales became the first winners of the Doddie Weir Cup as they beat Scotland 21-10 in Cardiff on Saturday.
Tries from George North and Jonathan Davies plus 11 points from the boot of Leigh Halfpenny were enough to secure Warren Gatland’s men their second victory over Scotland this year.
Defeat left Scotland still searching for a first win over Wales in Cardiff since 2002.
Gregor Townsend’s visitors could only manage a try courtesy of captain Stuart McInally and five points from the boot of Gavin Hastings in what was the opening November international for both Celtic nations.
“I think it’s probably positive on reflection now, I think in the game itself it will be interesting to look at territory possession and what we didn’t convert particularly in the first half,” victorious Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones told the BBC.
“But there’s a lot of character there, we’ve had a good two weeks together and I think the character came to the fore there,” the lock added.
The fixture was being played in honour of former Scotland lock Weir, who is suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.
But after a public outcry when it emerged that none of the proceeds from the match would be going to his MND charity, the Welsh Rugby Union and their Scottish counterparts relented to pledge a joint six-figure sum.
Fullback Halfpenny opened the scoring with a successful kick after Ken Owens won the penalty.
Wales were given an early scare when inside centre Hadleigh Parkes fell off a tackle on his opposite number Alex Dunbar.
The Glasgow man surged forward into the Welsh 22 before the move came to an abrupt end when Hastings’ grubber kick was safely covered by Halfpenny.
Gatland’s side thought they had claimed the game’s first try when North crossed in the corner after he gathered a wellexecuted cross kick from Gareth Anscombe.
But upon referral to the television match official, the ‘try’ was correctly disallowed due to the Ospreys wing’s foot brushing the touchline. - AFP