The Win Red Line

Well another trip to Scotland is over. I feel relieved in a couple of ways as I sit at my desk. Firstly I am relieved that Wales contrived to come away with a win and have kept their hopes of a grand slam alive. Secondly I have certainly been relieved of a lot of a lot of dosh as Edinburgh and in particular Murrayfield is not a cheap place to visit. A small bottle of beer in Murrayfield cost a staggering £5.60. At least we had something to celebrate.

The game itself was a real nail biter. The first half was all Wales as they looked far too strong for the Scots to hold. Wales scored a couple of nice tries through Josh Adams and Jon Davies and really should have built a substantial lead as a succession of injuries left Scotland reeling. Wales spurned a couple of opportunities through missed kicks and handling errors which left the half time score Scotland 6 Wales 15. The home side were still within touching distance and those of us who had been at Murrayfield in 2017 and had seen Wales blitzed by Scotland in the second half had a slightly uneasy feeling that we might regret those missed chances.

Our concerns proved well-founded as the second half belonged well and truly to Scotland as they totally dominated territory and possession. Scotland spurned kickable penalties as they laid siege on the Welsh line in search of a try or two. This was real backs-to-the-wall stuff from Wales who had to withstand a rampant home side spurred on by a passionate home crowd. The Scots eventually got their reward with an unconverted try from Graham and the gap was down to four points at 11-15.

Still the Scots attacked and tested a brilliantly organised Welsh defence to the full. These were desperate moments for the Welsh fans as they watched with growing anxiety. I think that most people believed that if Scotland took the lead Wales would find it incredibly difficult to come back.

As time began to run out, the powerful Welsh tackling seemed to take its toll on the Scots and they found it increasingly difficult to get over the gain line. Indeed on many occasions they lost significant ground as they went through the phases. 

As the final whistle approached, Wales finally escaped the shackles and spent the last few minutes where they wanted to be in the Scottish twenty two. They were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts which Anscombe converted to give a mightily relieved Welsh contingent a 11-18 victory. Out came the credit card as we headed for the bar.

So now it’s back to Cardiff and the final game against Ireland on Saturday. The grand slam is up for grabs for Wales but this Irish side represents a mighty obstacle. They are reigning champions and are ranked number two team in the world - it doesn’t get much tougher than that! Having lived through the ups and downs of the first four Welsh games where Wales have blown hot and cold in equal proportions, I don’t know whether my nerves will stand it. We need Wales to play at their best for the full eighty minutes just like they did in the second half against England. A big ask but they certainly will have plenty of motivation.

I cannot imagine that there would be any changes to the team unless injuries intervene. Looking at the pictures of the battered and bruised bodies after the Scotland match reminds you just how tough this game is. It is a real testimony to the fitness and the commitment of the players that they feel willing and able to do it all again a week later.

We need one last concerted push. What we don’t need is more of the distraction of announcements followed by denials about what will the future look like in Welsh regional rugby. Whatever anyone says, such confusion must surely be very unsettling for a team preparing for one of the most important games of their lives.

Come on Wales you can do it!