Wales snatches thrilling victory

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32525, 8 February 1971, Page 24

Wales snatches thrilling victory

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter—Copyright) EDINBURGH. The Welsh winger, G. Davies, scored two minutes before the end to snatch a thrilling, 19-18, victory against Scotland in the five-nation Rugby union championship match at Murrayfield on Saturday.

A crowd of more than| 65,000 was kept in a state of feverish excitement as the lead continually changed hands.

But with seven minutes remaining Scotland looked to have settled the issue when the centre three-quarters, C. Rea, scored to put the Scots ahead. 18-14. P. Brown missed an easy conversion attempt when his kick hit a post, and then the Scots saw their lead whisked from them again as Davies crossed for the crucial try which J. Taylor converted. Wales won by two goals, a penalty goal, and two tries, to four penalty goals and two tries, and now leads in the championship table. LEAD CHANGED

Wales led, 8-6, after a thrilling first half, and the second half was even more so, as the lead changed in bewildering fashion. The match would rank as one of;

I the most exciting between the two countries. The Scots :were ahead at 12-11, 15-14. :and 18-14 before Davies ended I their victory hopes. Wales owed much to its I brilliant halves, G. Edwards and B. John, and the power 'and discipline of their pack. But the Scottish eight, with Brown, R. Ameil, and McEwan always prominent, provided stout resistance. Scotland’s hooker, F. Laidlaw, won the tight-head duel, 3-0, against British Lion, J. Young, and the line-outs were even. For Wales, tries were scored by Taylor, Edwards, John and Davies. John kicked a conversion and a penalty goal, and Taylor kicked a conversion. Brown kicked four penaltv goals for Scotland, and Carmichael and Rea scored tries. Championship pointe are:—

p W D L F A Pte Wales 2 2 0 0 41 24 4 France . 2 1 1 0 22 17 3 Ireland 1 0 1 0 9 9 1 Scotland 2 0 0 2 2K 32 n England 1 0 0 1 6 22 0