Scotland overcame an almighty scare to come close to abandoning a 27-0 lead against Wales to win 27-26 in a thrilling Six Nations match on Saturday.
It was the first time in 22 years that Scotland had won against Wales in Cardiff, and it was a strange game with only two halves played, with Gregor Townsend's efforts leading to victory in the end.
Duan van der Merwe's brace was added to by an early try from Pierre Schoeman, while Finn Russell had a classy first half from fly-half, kicking 12 points off the tee.
But then Wales secured two points with defeat bonus and try bonus points, with goals from James Botham, Rio Dyer, Aaron Wainwright and Alex Mann.
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Scotland were put on the back foot in the second period when hooker George Turner and center Sione Tuipulotu were scored in the sin bin, but they managed to finish the game safely, leaving us wondering what would have happened to Wales. left behind.
Both teams got off to a bright start under the enclosed roof of the stadium, with Russell kicking a penalty from a 20 meter angle to put Scotland ahead, before a quick lineout ball gave Tuipulotu a chance which Wales managed to save. .
However, Wales were unable to stop one attack after another, leading to their first try after 11 minutes.
Russell created the initial space and after a strong run from winger Kyle Steyn, the Scottish forward took over and Schoeman crossed from close range. Russell's conversion made it 10-0.
Scotland dominated the first quarter, dominating at scrums and lineouts, despite Wales' promising attacking formations at times.
Russell extended Scotland's lead with his second penalty – Welsh winger Josh Adams was penalized for throwing the ball away and denying Scotland's quick lineout throw – and sent alarm bells for Warren Gatland's side. It started ringing.
Inevitably, Russell was at the heart of all that was good about Scotland's magic, weaving a spell to devastating effect 10 minutes before half-time.
Scotland established a strong position inside Wales' 22, and Russell ghosted into space and threw a half-dummy pass to Van der Merwe's bat for a try.
With Scotland leading 20-0 at the interval, Wales' problems showed no signs of abating as fly-half Sam Costelow was sent off to be diagnosed with a head injury, and it looked like there was no going back for Wales. Ta.
Things got even worse for Wales just two minutes into the second period. Van der Merwe cut Wales open from deep for a powerful solitary touchdown, and Russell's conversion put more light between the teams.
Gatland made three changes at half-time after Costelow failed his HIA, bringing on scrum-half Tomos Williams, hooker Elliot Dee and prop Keiron Assilatti, and Wales took the lead when Botham fell.
In the build-up to Botham's try, Turner was sin-binned in attack, but Wales scored again, this time through Dyer, and Yoan Lloyd's conversion suddenly and unexpectedly reduced the gap to 15 points.
Scotland panicked when Tuipulotu went into the sin bin. Wales scored their third try in the 13th minute with a touchdown by Wainwright, with Lloyd converting.
The capacity crowd could hardly believe what they were witnessing, but it was Williams' influence off the bench that was key in bringing pace and purpose to Wales' game.
And when Mann scored a try in the 68th minute, followed by Lloyd again, Scotland looked puzzled and unsure as their impossible dream inched closer.
But they managed to hold on and Wales left with a disappointing result, with two Six Nations teams missing out on bonus points.
team
Wales: 15 Cameron Wynnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Leffell, 6 James Leffell. Botham, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 3 Leon Brown, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Corey Domakowski
Replacement: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Keiron Assilatti, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Alex Mann, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Yoan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady.
Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duane van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell (c), 9 Ben White, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Jamie・Ritchie, 6 Luke Crosby, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Xander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schumann
Replacement: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliot Miller-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 George Horne, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Cameron Redpath
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referee: James Doleman (New Zealand), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
read more: England's new cap sparkles with come-from-behind Six Nations victory
