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SLOW-BURNING SCOTS SHOW LATE FLICKER OF HOPE                                   MATCH PHOTO GALLERY

Scotland Head Coach Frank Hadden was dejected by the result and knows improvements are needed, especially at the breakdown area. He said: “We were up against the top side in northern hemisphere rugby but we were disappointed with the outcome.

“The breakdown is one of the things we are going to have to look at closely. It seemed we were far too passive and tentative; we never got started. One thing I do know though is we will get better.”

The first half was marred by the injury to, and subsequent sin-binning of, debutant Geoff Cross after he collided with an airborne Lee Byrne rising to take Mike Blair’s Garryowen.  During the period Scotland were short-handed, Wales scored two tries.

Injury also saw Paterson replace the groggy Webster who had taken a heavy knock early in the half. Unfortunately, it proved to be a devastating ten minutes for the outnumbered Scots as the Welsh took full advantage of their predicament.

Shane Williams and Byrne linked up to send Shanklin in for a try in the 22nd minute and then Alun-Wyn Jones bulldozed over the line following a welsh turnover in the scrum in Scots 22.

Damage retention for the Scots came in the form of Welsh fly half Stephen Jones who failed with both conversion attempts. During the period, Jason White had left the field for Ally Dickinson due to the forced replacement in the front row.

With the scoreline looking ominous for the Scots they began to claw back some territory and possession from the Welsh.

However, the Scotland attacks were plagued with unforced errors and a lack of stability at the set piece. Lock Jim Hamilton soared high to steal a number of lineouts but the absence of Euan Murray was notable as the Scots failed to match up in the scrum.

Replacement Paterson, whose appearance earned him the title of most capped Scot in the Six Nations, landed the only points for the hosts in the first half through a mid-range penalty on the 32nd minute. However, Welsh goal-kicker Jones had managed one more finding his mark with two first half penalties in the 12th and 40th minute.

HALF TIME SCOTLAND 3-16 WALES

The spectators had barely taken their seats in the second half before the Welsh had added another notch to their try tally. Welsh wing Leigh Halfpenny leapt over in the corner after his centre and RBS Man of the Match Jamie Roberts had made a searing run from the half way line. Jones failed to add the extras.

Scotland seemed truly under the cosh but were saved from further torment minutes later thanks to the timely tackling of full-back Hugo Southwell. Eventually Scotland began to develop promising field position and Paterson was on hand to convert a much needed three points in the 51st minute.

Scotland made a handful of changes, Max Evans and Scott Gray replacing Ben Cairns and John Barclay respectively. In spite of the arrival of fresh legs the Scots were still stretched by the incisive runs of the Welsh backs.

Their failure to marshal the tight channels was glaringly exposed when Williams, receiving the ball at pivot, proceeded to step inside and skip over the line unchallenged for a score on 59 minutes. Jones’s conversion attempt skewed wide.

In the final twenty minutes both sides used all their replacements but it was Scotland who finally began to show glimpses of the attacking prowess they are capable of. After a spirited Scotland attack Evans weaved some space down the right hand touchline beating Shane Williams and Lee Byrne and then forcing his way over the line with two Welsh defenders hanging off him. The ever-reliable Paterson converted with ten minutes remaining.

Paterson’s boot almost gifted Scotland a further try after he had dinked the ball deep into the dead ball area. The bounce of the ball foiled the retreating Byrne and Paterson scrambled to touch down. However, Geoff Warren the TMO ruled that Paterson did not have control and the try was disallowed much to the dismay of the home contingent.

After the match, Scotland Captain Mike Blair said: “So much about the game now is about the contact area. It is hard to tell exactly what went wrong but it was just something we didn’t quite adapt to.”

Frank Hadden added: “We were delighted with the guys who came off the bench. I think they made a real impact.  Regarding injuries, both Geoff and Simon will be subject to further assessment during the week after receiving head knocks.”

Subs:

Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester) for White (26 mins) and then Cross (30 mins)
Chris Paterson (Edinburgh) for Webster (21 mins)
Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) for Cairns (52 mins)
Scott Gray (Northampton Saints) for Barclay (56 mins)
Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors) for Ford (62 mins)
Chris Cusiter (Perpignan) for Blair (62 mins)
Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors) for Hogg (73 mins) 

Sin- bin: Geoff Cross

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)