Scots sink Welsh for amateur grand slam win

Scotland A clinched a long-awaited grand slam in the amateur Four Nations Championship, beating Wales A 35-22 at Peffermill on Saturday.

The Welsh broke the early deadlock with a score from the back of a scrum, moving the ball wide for Gareth Howells to slide over in the corner.

However, excellent link play from Seb Trotter and Barry Earl saw the Scots hit back as Stuart Fee crossed the line and then converted his own try to level the scores at 6-6.

Wales centre James Allen then scooted through a ruck to score under the posts, Paul Emanuelli converting, but the Scots restored parity at 12-12 when Scott Clendenning-Fenton jinked past the Welsh full-back for a try converted by Fee.

Scotland recovered the ball from the re-start but were thwarted by a Welsh charge of the fifth tackle that saw the visitors score through Rhodri Morris, Emanuelli converting.

Scotland dominated at the beginning of the second half but they found themselves 22-12 down after a kick through was gathered by Chris Holcombe.

Wales knocked on from the re-start and Scotland spread the ball wide for Giles Lomax to score, converted by Earl.

Enjoying the bulk of the possession, Scotland produced one of the best scores of the day when a bomb kick from Earl bounced perfectly into the Welsh goal area, allowing Scott Wilson to beat his opposition to score the try. Fee converted to put the Scots 24-22 ahead.

Wales began to mount some pressure but the Scots held on and launched an attack of their own, quick hands from David Lynn and Dave Linton pushing the ball out to the wing where full-back Nick Broere slid over to give Scotland a six point lead with ten minutes remaining.

Wales again tried to pressurise the Scottish line but a knock-on on fifth tackle handed possession back to the Scots who worked up the field through Kyle Matheson to provide a solid field position which Fee utilised to drop a goal.

From the re-start the Scots looked to close the game out with John Malakoty being caught high followed by another Matheson run and a John Cox break, but an obstruction handed possession back to Wales. The Scots defended stoutly, however, and quick thinking by Fee led to an interception try that sealed the Home Nations title.