R League: Wales win in see-saw starter

Jun 17 2007 by Bram Humphries, Wales On Sunday

Wales A 44-30 Scotland

WALES got off to a winning start in the Home Nations tournament as they fought back to beat Scotland 44-30 in Cardiff yesterday.

Scotland were first on the scoreboard with a Blair Skipper try and Paul Kelly conversion seven minutes in. But an excellent Gareth Jones try, converted by Entwhistle, levelled things on the quarter-hour and from then on it was a cat-and-mouse game between two steely sides.

Scotland retook the lead with a Paul Kelly penalty but Wales squeezed back ahead when Entwhistle forced the ball over the line while under pressure.

Wales then decided to run in a penalty rather than kick it from a score-able position, and this was rewarded with Jason Hill setting up David James, Entwhistle adding the two points.

Scotland’s Graeme Fisher touched down after the interval and they took the lead minutes later when Skipper broke through. Rob Sloman extended the score from kick-off with another try in the corner, Skipper converting the first two tries.

But Wales got straight back in with John Bowd setting up Christian Roets.

Gareth Jones added the extras to level the scores then followed up with his second try of the day to put Wales back ahead.

They extended their lead to 10 points 10 minutes later with David James gathering up a loose ball and Entwhistle converting. Despite Entwhistle being sinbinned and a comeback bid from Scotland with a Scott Porteous try, James and Roets sealed the victory.