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Wales just too good for Scotland

Scotland had done well to work their way into a 16-13 lead, with just 15 minutes remaining on the clock.

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But a two-try blitz – with Jamie Roberts and George North exposing the tiring Scottish defence – saw the home team race into a 27-16 lead, with just under 10 minutes remaining.

Scotland threw everything into attack, but their rising error count saw them ultimately fall short – despite a late consolation try by star centre Duncan Taylor.

It was Wales' ninth-straight victory over Scotland. 

The three-try triumph puts Wales firmly in the Six Nations title race, after their opening 16-all draw with Ireland.

Unlike last weekend in Dublin, Wales made a fast start and were ahead after seven minutes.

Flyhalf Dan Biggar had shaken off an ankle injury to start the match, and his well weighted chip through allowed Roberts to slap the ball back to scrumhalf Davies.

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And the Scarlets man could not be stopped as he sprinted his way past the covering Seymour and Stuart Hogg for his sixth try in seven test matches.

Biggar converted, but another clever kick, this time from Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell, pulled the visitors level five minutes later.

Vern Cotter's side went through 21 phases in attack before the ball was worked to the Scotland flyhalf.

He delivered a perfectly weighted kick into the Wales in-goal area, and Seymour was on-hand to touch down to match Davies's record of six scores in seven. Captain Laidlaw landed the conversion to tie the scores at 7-7.

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Scotland suffered a blow on the half-hour mark when Hogg collided with Wales hooker Scott Baldwin and was forced off with an injury.

But they were ahead a minute later. Justin Tipuric held on to the ball at a ruck and referee George Clancy awarded a penalty just inside the Wales half.

Laidlaw was on-target with the long-range penalty goal to give Scotland a three-point lead.

But the Welsh scrum was proving a dangerous weapon for Warren Gatland's side, and a powerful shunt saw them win a penalty from 40 metres out.

Biggar levelled the scores at 10-all, but Laidlaw struck a late penalty goal to give his side a 13-10 half-time lead.

Scotland surrendered their lead four minutes into the second-half after their backline went offside and Biggar converted another penalty.

But Laidlaw kicked the Scots ahead once again after a powerful scrum forced a penalty.Wales just too good for Scotland

Cotter's side looked to ram home their advantage with another wave of attack, but flank John Hardie's knock-on almost led to a Wales try.

Wing Tom James scooped up the loose ball and charged 70 metres downfield, but Duncan Taylor closed down the angle to stop him just short.

Wales hammered at the Scotland line through Roberts, Ken Owens and Jonathan Davies but all they got was a penalty.

But the breakthrough came after Wales opted to scrummage.

Taulupe Faletau pounced as the ball came out of a fractured scrum, before replacement Dan Lydiate was stopped short.

But centre Roberts crashed through on a devastating angle to touch down, with Biggar converting for a 20-16 lead.

And the victory was wrapped for Wales when North combined with Biggar on a scissors move and beat four Scottish tacklers to score.

Taylor went over in the final minute, but Scotland surrendered possession from the restart and the game was over.

Man of the match: Greig Laidlaw always puts his hand up, Willem Nel had a good first hour and then fatigue set in – resulting in a string of errors. The Gray brothers, Richie and Jonny, are always good value. Tommy Seymour was probably Scotland's best player. Gorge North is always a danger with ball in hand, Gareth Davies was masterclass and Alun Wyn Jones was not far off either. However, our award goes to Wales' veteran centre Jamie Roberts – for his brutal show on defence and producing the most crucial score in the game.

Moment of the match: There was Duncan Taylor's race back to catch Tom James and produce a try-saving tackle. However, our award goes to Jamie Roberts' try in the 65th minute – which swung momentum the way of Wales, which ultimately resulted in the win.

Villain of the match: Nobody.

The scorers:

For Wales:

Tries: Davies, Roberts, North

Cons: Biggar 3

Pens: Biggar 2

For Scotland:

Tries: Seymour, Taylor

Cons: Laidlaw, Weir

Pens: Laidlaw 3

The teams:

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Sam Warburton (c), 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Rob Evans

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Gareth Anscombe

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c), 8 David Denton, 7 John Hardie, 6 John Barclay, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.

Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Blair Cowan, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Sean Lamont

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)

TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

Agence France-Presse & @rugby365com

Wales just too good for Scotland

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