by Scotland won in Cardiff for the first time in 22 years, but rarely does such a historic opening phrase go so far without an adequate description of what actually happened. This was another great display of breathless drama and sportsmanship that overwhelmed them.
Scotland seemed to have that historic victory in the bag within 40 minutes, certainly within 43, by which time they had opened up a 27-0 lead, having destroyed their inexperienced hosts, which there was no something going for them as planned. Then, as if a flick had switched on, the Welsh kids threw caution to the wind. And, boy, it looks like they can play when they want.
Related: Wales 26-27 Scotland: Six Nations 2024 – live reaction
Unable to win a lineout for love or money in the first half, they made a sweet lineout and drive five minutes after finding that deficit, for James Botham, son of Liam, grandson of Ian, to score. . A murmur in the mute crowd.
That was only the first disturbance. Five minutes later again, Wales were hammering the Scotland defence, now reduced to 14 after George Turner’s yellow card. Half-time substitute Tomos Williams bent over Nick Tompkins to send Rio Dyer over. More than a stir now – a complete riot. And now it seems nothing could stop Wales winning the ball and gaining ground. Scotland would not be awarded a single penalty in the entire second half; Wales had 14 of them in a row.
Scotland’s second yellow was shown to Sione Tuipulotu on the hour, and wave after wave of ravenous young people in red hammered at his line. Another penalty to take and the wonderful Aaron Wainwright was over. Ioan Lloyd, who was ahead in the first half of his even younger half-mate Sam Costelow, scored his second conversion to pull Wales back to within eight.
Then register the two bonus points they would end up with, courtesy of the fourth Wales. Cameron Winnett, looking great at first, with Dyer causing havoc down the left. Another penalty, another lineout and another drive – try Alex Mann, another leader. Ten full minutes to finish the job, the stadium was now its traditional inferno, encouraged the children.
But kids are what they are. That was as far as they could go. They lost their first line out in those last 10 minutes. And so it was Scotland who were pushing at the end, in search of a bonus point of their own, but Duhan van der Merwe’s third try was denied at the death of a Wales-like foot. Scotland did not quibble.
Meanwhile, the homeland of Wales seemed to herald the beginning of a new era. They had nothing to lose in the second half, it’s true, but these deficits need to be redressed – and Scotland were more than ruffled by the end.
He received wisdom that a good start was essential for this young Welsh team. Well, the cold reality could not have turned out more differently. Wales went around 20-0 down, completely outclassed and with Costelow out with a head injury.
In contrast, the Scotland captain seemed to be announcing immediately that he was in one of those moods. Finn Russell had the ball on a string in that half, either out of hand or off boot. For Scotland’s second try, on the stroke of half-time, he went over the young man with a show and went to send Van der Merwe over for his first.
Winnett looked confident at full-back, but Scotland’s new boy in the under-15 shirt, Kyle Rowe, made a run for it early on, linking up with his namesake Steyn on the wing at will. All of this is much easier when you have oodles of balls to work with.
The Scottish pack led the Welsh unit, which was, yes, very, very experienced. Scotland have won more head-to-heads against Wales in the first half (five) than they have won by themselves. But, as their lead began to grow, Wales’ position changed.
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Costelow was caught offside to allow Russell to start early in the fifth minute. Five minutes later, Russell Rowe added a half-goal. The goalkeeper found Kyle Steyn on the right, who cut hard inside a few yards. A few strong cars later, Pierre Schoeman powered his way over the line for a 10-0 lead in almost as many minutes.
A player as experienced as Josh Adams was close to a brain fade, when he threw the ball into the crowd after Russell landed 50-22. The penalty was another three points, before that second try created the 20 point lead at half time. Scotland stole another lineout, Russell sprayed more kicks to his outside backs, both Kyles making grass down the right, before Russell looped that around Tuipulotu to send Van der Merwe to the posts.
Warren Gatland brought on three players at the break, but the initial impact was limited. Van der Merwe’s second was only two minutes in, as he made Williams’ round, again, after a sweet counter from Russell. How imperial Scotland looked then; how Wales lost. How wrong we all were…
