Leigh Halfpenny scored two tries in a 24-point haul to lead Wales to a 34-7 victory over Scotland in the opening match of the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations in Cardiff. A breathless opening 15 minutes saw Wales grab tries from a Gareth Davies intercept and Halfpenny, and they held onto their 14-0 lead through to half-time. The Welsh full-back added two penalties after the break before going over for his second try on the hour mark, with Steff Evans securing the bonus point late on. Peter Horne gave Scotland a late consolation but they remain without a win in Cardiff since 2002 while Wales head coach Warren Gatland continues his own unbeaten run against the Scots. Second row Jonny Gray made the first major break as both sides showed their willingness to keep ball in hand and attack from deep in the opening exchanges. But Wales soon had the dream start as they scored two tries inside the opening 12 minutes to open up a 14-0 lead under the roof at Principality Stadium. First, Davies intercepted a pass from his opposite number Ali Price and ran 60 metres to dive over in the corner for his tenth Wales try in his 28th international appearance. A wonderful team move from the hosts, started by an Aaron Shingler break, sent Alun Wyn Jones within metres off the line but the fingertips of Evans couldn’t collect his offload. Wales weren’t denied for long though as, after winning a five-metre scrum, Halfpenny found space out wide and extended the home side’s advantage to 14 points. The hosts were inches away from a third when a pinpoint crossfield kick from fly-half Patchell was almost collected by Josh Adams before bouncing into touch. Scotland showed glimpses off the impressive form they demonstrated in the autumn, with Huw Jones’ kick forcing Halfpenny into his own in-goal area, but the five-metre scrum came to nothing. Halfpenny added three more points to the Welsh tally early in the second half as Scotland’s John Barclay was penalised for being off his feet at the ruck. And it was the captain who was pulled up by referee Pascal Gauzere on 47 minutes, with two-time British & Irish Lion Halfpenny making no mistake with the boot to make it 20-0. Patchell was next to test the Scottish defence and when he was eventually brought down, Wyn Jones was held up over the line giving the visitors a five-metre scrum. The Welsh pressure eventually told though as a driving maul was brought down just short of the try-line and space was found out wide for Patchell to break and Halfpenny to score his second of the afternoon. Jones thought he had the bonus point try on 65 minutes but a try-saving tackle from centre Jones, reviewed by the TMO, prevented him grounding the ball keeping the score at 27-0. Evans secured the Welsh bonus point as he finished acrobatically in the left corner after being sent clear by Anscombe’s pass and Halfpenny continued his perfect afternoon with the boot. In the dying moments, Horne picked and went from close range for a consolation score to get Scotland on the board, Finn Russell adding the extras.
Leigh Halfpenny scored two tries in a 24-point haul to lead Wales to a 34-7 victory over Scotland in the opening match of the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations in Cardiff.
A breathless opening 15 minutes saw Wales grab tries from a Gareth Davies intercept and Halfpenny, and they held onto their 14-0 lead through to half-time.
The Welsh full-back added two penalties after the break before going over for his second try on the hour mark, with Steff Evans securing the bonus point late on.
Peter Horne gave Scotland a late consolation but they remain without a win in Cardiff since 2002 while Wales head coach Warren Gatland continues his own unbeaten run against the Scots.
Second row Jonny Gray made the first major break as both sides showed their willingness to keep ball in hand and attack from deep in the opening exchanges.
But Wales soon had the dream start as they scored two tries inside the opening 12 minutes to open up a 14-0 lead under the roof at Principality Stadium.
First, Davies intercepted a pass from his opposite number Ali Price and ran 60 metres to dive over in the corner for his tenth Wales try in his 28th international appearance.
A wonderful team move from the hosts, started by an Aaron Shingler break, sent Alun Wyn Jones within metres off the line but the fingertips of Evans couldn’t collect his offload.
Wales weren’t denied for long though as, after winning a five-metre scrum, Halfpenny found space out wide and extended the home side’s advantage to 14 points.
The hosts were inches away from a third when a pinpoint crossfield kick from fly-half Patchell was almost collected by Josh Adams before bouncing into touch.
Scotland showed glimpses off the impressive form they demonstrated in the autumn, with Huw Jones’ kick forcing Halfpenny into his own in-goal area, but the five-metre scrum came to nothing.
Halfpenny added three more points to the Welsh tally early in the second half as Scotland’s John Barclay was penalised for being off his feet at the ruck.
And it was the captain who was pulled up by referee Pascal Gauzere on 47 minutes, with two-time British & Irish Lion Halfpenny making no mistake with the boot to make it 20-0.
Patchell was next to test the Scottish defence and when he was eventually brought down, Wyn Jones was held up over the line giving the visitors a five-metre scrum.
The Welsh pressure eventually told though as a driving maul was brought down just short of the try-line and space was found out wide for Patchell to break and Halfpenny to score his second of the afternoon.
Jones thought he had the bonus point try on 65 minutes but a try-saving tackle from centre Jones, reviewed by the TMO, prevented him grounding the ball keeping the score at 27-0.
Evans secured the Welsh bonus point as he finished acrobatically in the left corner after being sent clear by Anscombe’s pass and Halfpenny continued his perfect afternoon with the boot.
In the dying moments, Horne picked and went from close range for a consolation score to get Scotland on the board, Finn Russell adding the extras.
