Wales claim European crown

Harris: Instant success in new job

We challenged them with their skill levels and with the way we wanted them to play the game. They started off a bit scratchy but they improved out of sight

Iestyn Harris
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Wales clinched the rugbyleague.com European Cup for the first time in 14 years with a 28-16 win over Scotland in Bridgend.

The home side twice had to come from behind to triumph in a game that saw Mick Nanyn cross for a hat-trick in a losing cause.

The centre grabbed all his tries in a topsy-turvy first half that saw the lead change hands on a number of occasions.

However Wales were the stronger side after the break to secure a first trophy for new coach Iestyn Harris in just his fourth match in charge.

Tough defeat

Defeat was tough on the Scots and in particularly Nanyn, who broke the deadlock after six minutes when he accepted Lee Paterson's pass to score.

The Leigh Centurion then barged his way through to score a second midway through the first half and with the extras added, Scotland led 10-4.

That advantage did not last for long, though, as Wales stormed ahead thanks to tries from Ashley Bateman, Elliot Kear and Ben Flower, though stand-off Lloyd White only managed to slot over one successful conversion.

The Scots replied with winger Jon Steel setting up Nanyn to complete his treble just 90 seconds before the half-time hooter.

Gareth Moore's second goal put the visitors back in front but that proved to be the last time they held the upper hand.

Centre Christiaan Roets, the only amateur playing in the final, scored Wales' fourth try and White added the extras to make it 20-16.

Scotland did have a try from Richard Fletcher ruled out for offside before White extended the gap shortly before the hour mark.

Winger Rhys Williams then made the game safe by squeezing over at the corner to make sure Wales would be crowned European champions for a fifth time.

Young group

"It's great to win but to manage a group and learn how to manage a group has been really good for my development. But it's easy when you've got a group willing to learn and willing to succeed," said Harris afterwards.

"We've a young group, with a lot of 18, 19 and 20-year-old kids who were pretty raw when we got hold of them four weeks ago.

"We challenged them with their skill levels and with the way we wanted them to play the game. They started off a bit scratchy but they improved out of sight.

"What has really pleased me is not just with the victory but the way they've played the last two or three games. They've been exciting to watch and they've got a dogged defence and will to win.

"It's a good mix and, if we can keep on improving in the next two or three years, we'll be pretty strong for the 2013 World Cup."