Non Stop Emontion as Wales Finish on Top

Six Nations Reviewed

Wales 31 Scotland 24
Millennium Stadium - 13/2/2010

This is what the Six Nations is all about. Non stop emotion from start to finish.

The BBC often launch their Six Nations TV trails with emphasis on the "passion" and the "drama" that comes with one of Rugby's oldest competitions. The Cardiff crowd and those watching at home got exactly that this afternoon - passion followed by late drama.

"gutted"

The Scots will be gutted - they fought hard and played very well for most of the game to create a platform from which they should have gone on to win the game. They clearly were hurt by the injuries in their backline - both Chris Paterson and Tom Evans going off with injuries.

When replacement hooker Scott Lawson was sin binned with just under 10 minutes remaining the Welsh just out powered a tiring Scottish team - to add more problems Phil Godman was also sent to the sidelines in the final minutes. All this meant that the Scots could not close out the match.

Key Turning Point

Has to be Scott Lawson's sin bining. Momentum was already with the Welsh and this just increased it.

Top Players

Dan Parks played a great game. It was only before the tournament some where saying he would never play in a Scotland jersey again. He commanded the number 10 jersey like it had been his for years...or should have been.

On the red side, the Welsh wizard Shane Williams had a great game. Wales looked to him a number of times to magic something up and with the final try he did. James Hook also played well at 13 - backing the Scottish defence often.

Game Rating

9/10 - superb.

Questions still remain....

The Welsh at points looked very lost...what has happened to the side of 2008...on paper they look exceptional but seem to be missed firing or misguided.

BUT

Could this be the turning point for the Welsh as lady luck shines on them...

Rugby Mad Final Thought

Some of Warren Gatland's pre match negativity against his opposition (this included slating England and Scotland) doesn't help his team's cause when they play badly. I have a lot of respect for the kiwi but he frustrated me this week.

Stats

Wales
Tries - Lee Bryne, Leigh Halfpenny, Shane Williams.
Cons - Stephen Jones (2)
Pens - Stephen Jones (4)

Scotland
Tries - John Barclay, Max Evans
Cons - Chris Paterson
Pens - Dan Parks (2)
DG - Dan Parks (2)
Sin Bin - Scott Lawson, Phil Godman.

Att: 70,000
Ref: George Clancy (Ireland)