Rugby: Rugby-Biggar kicks Wales to a narrow success over Scotland

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CARDIFF (Reuters) -Dan Biggar’s late drop objective proved the distinction as Wales edged Scotland 20-17 of their Six Nations conflict on the Principality Stadium on Saturday to register their first win of this yr’s competitors.

Captain Biggar marked his a centesimal take a look at cap with 4 penalties and the Seventieth-minute drop in a contest that was filled with thrilling play within the first half however changed into a bruising bodily contest after the break, when the 2 sides had been tied at 14-14.

Tomas Francis contributed with a strive for Wales whereas Darcy Graham scored for Scotland and Finn Russell, who was despatched to the sin bin for 10 minutes at a essential juncture close to the tip of the sport, kicked over 4 penalties.

Scotland had been searching for a first win in Cardiff in twenty years after beating England at dwelling final Saturday however fell despairingly brief.

Two early penalties had Wales into a fast lead however Scotland opened the strive scoring as their forwards powered by means of 18 phases earlier than flyhalf Russell spun out a lengthy go to Graham, who went over within the nook.

The diminutive wing nonetheless had work to do after receiving the ball, with not a lot house to manoeuvre on the touchline, however powered by means of the deal with of Louis Rees-Zammit to contact down.

Russell then slotted over three penalties for Scotland –- with one in between for the Welsh from Biggar — as they went into a 14-9 lead.

Wales pulled degree with a Thirty second-minute pushover strive from Francis. They elected to kick a close-range penalty to contact after which efficiently mauled over from the resultant lineout.

Parity on the break was maintained for the primary 20 minutes of the second half as first Russell after which Biggar, who was battling a knee damage however performed on, efficiently kicked over for a 17-17 stalemate.

Wales then edged forward after a long-range Biggar penalty hit the upright, bouncing again into play from the place the hosts had been first to the ball and, after a number of phases, regarded to rating by means of winger Alex Cuthbert, however tv replays discovered he had a foot in contact.

Russell had knocked the ball ahead in the course of the Wales assault and was despatched to the sideline for 10 minutes for a deliberate knock-on however the guests managed to present tenuous defence as Wales had two extra penalties, which they kicked to contact seeking a lineout maul.

Eventually, with the Wales assault wanting ragged, Biggar elected to put over a drop from shut vary. Initially it regarded to waste a doable strive scoring probability however proved to be the match winner.

“We’ve had to put up with a lot of flak and rightly so. But to come again right here, with this crowd, and simply grind a consequence out, simply roll our sleeves up… it’s one in every of my greatest victories in my 100 (caps),” mentioned Biggar.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Clare Fallon)



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