Six Nations champions Wales ground out a 28-18 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of retaining the title after losing to Ireland in the opening round. Last year’s Grand Slam champions became the first Welsh side to win five successive matches away from home in the tournament and now face a potential title-decider against England at the Millennium stadium on Saturday.
England, who were to host Italy at Twickenham yesterday, are the only unbeaten side in the championship.
Flanker Sam Warburton, captain of the Grand Slam team, made a triumphant return after starting on the replacements’ bench in the third-round win over Italy.
Photo: Reuters
Warburton took over the captaincy after Ryan Jones left the field with an injury and was named man-of-the-match for a splendid display in the loose during a scrappy match dominated by Wales’ forwards.
“I was so pleased to be part of the side again,” he told BBC television. “We knew it was going to be immensely tough at Murrayfield. We have to be proud of the win today. I’ll have 24 hours to relax and we can start looking forward to England on Monday.”
Wales hooker Richard Hibbard scored the only try of a match dominated by the boot. Welsh fullback Leigh Halfpenny kicked seven penalties and a conversion and Scotland scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw, the hero of the home win over Ireland in the last round, kicked six.
The Welsh poured into the Scotland half after the kickoff and demonstrated their confidence in the pack when they opted to take a scrum both times after they were awarded two free-kicks.
They won a penalty at the second engagement and Halfpenny converted the simplest of kicks straight in front of the posts. Laidlaw replied immediately with a much more difficult effort from the right touchline.
Against the run of play, Scotland center Matt Scott drove his team deep into Welsh territory with a kick that bobbled out 1m from their line.
Wales took the lineout, but were penalized for offside and Laidlaw converted his second penalty.
Halfpenny had a chance to put Wales ahead but missed two attempts in quick succession from either side of the field in the swirling wind. A third effort hit an upright.
Winger George North then burst through the defense with a powerful run that brought his side close to the Scots’ line. After a series of surges, Hibbard extended a long arm to score his first try for his country.
Scotland flyhalf Duncan Weir, making his first international start, gave his side a great opportunity to score when he hacked ahead after a clever chip-kick and dragged his opposite number, Mike Biggar, over the line to earn a 5m scrum.
However, Scotland were penalized by Craig Joubert to the displeasure of the crowd, whose mood quickly changed when Laidlaw kicked a fourth penalty to give his side the lead.
With the whistle about to blow for halftime, Scotland lock Jim Hamilton conceded a clumsy penalty in front of his posts when he charged into Wales scrumhalf Mike Phillips while the ball was still in a ruck. Halfpenny kicked the penalty to put his side 13-12 ahead at the interval.
Laidlaw was short with an early penalty attempt at the limit of his range at the start of the second half, while Halfpenny made no mistake with a much easier chance.
Both kickers landed further penalties for the sides as the game entered the final quarter, with Halfpenny then putting his side 10 points clear with two further penalties.
Scotland, who lost lock Richie Gray in the first half with a hamstring injury, besieged the Welsh line in the final minutes, but the defense held firm and Warburton won a vital penalty that enabled Wales to clear and stay 10 points ahead.
FRANCE VS IRELAND
Reuters, DUBLIN
France came from behind to draw 13-13 with Ireland in their Six Nations championship match on Saturday after Louis Picamoles’ late try ended Philippe Saint-Andre’s misfiring side’s run of three straight tournament defeats.
Ireland, who had beaten France only once in their past 13 attempts and also drew last year’s match, adapted to the wet conditions far better. They kept the ball among their forwards as much as possible and reaped the rewards when captain Jamie Heaslip dived over after 10 minutes.
Ireland flyhalf Paddy Jackson, showing none of the nerves that spoiled his debut against Scotland last time out, kicked his side into a 10-point halftime lead that Morgan Parra, taking over the kicking duties from Frederic Michalak, began to trim back in the second period.
Picamoles drove over six minutes from time and Michalak, back in charge of the kicking tee, leveled the scores for France, who must still get a result against Scotland next week to avoid their first last-place championship finish since 1999.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely