Wales end victory drought

Shane Williams ran in two tries as Wales beat Scotland 24-6 at Murrayfield to claim a first Test victory in nine matches.

James Hook scored the rest of the points from fly-half, kicking four penalties, a conversion and creating the first try in a fine all-round performance.

The hosts, who went into the contest with high hopes after opening their RBS Six Nations campaign with a brave display in defeat against France, could only muster six points through the boot of Dan Parks.

In contrast, Wales have now sparked their competition into life after a losing start and will be relieved to secure a first Test victory since March of 2010.

The visitors enjoyed a strong start - surging towards the Scotland try-line just after the five-minute mark - and took the lead through a Williams try.

Simple

Hook, starting at fly-half for the first time in two years, broke through the defence to play in his Ospreys team-mate for a simple try, which he then duly converted.

Hook then extended the advantage in the 14th minute as he slotted home a penalty from the right after the hosts had been penalised for offside.

And the 25-year-old made it 13-0 just after 18 minutes in when he nailed another penalty, after Scotland had come in from the side at a ruck.

Scotland full-back Hugo Southwell was then taken off the pitch with blood pouring from his face after catching a boot when challenging opposite number Lee Byrne. He would not return.

Another infringement at the breakdown then allowed Hook to kick his third penalty, but Scotland were given a boost when Bradley Davies was yellow- carded for cynically kicking the ball away from a ruck.

And when Byrne took out Max Evans with a dangerously high tackle, Scotland were given a two-man advantage.

Penalty

The ever-reliable Parks got Scotland on the board after Dan Lydiate had conceded a penalty, but they would have wanted more then three points by the time Byrne re-entered the fray to even the numbers.

Parks then slipped as he was attempting another kick at goal after Wales prop Craig Mitchell failed to bind at the scrum, leaving the scoreline 16-3 at the half-time interval.

After the restart, Hook attempted to increase the advantage with a penalty from almost 50 metres, but although his kick had the legs it drifted just wide.

Parks reduced the arrears by another three points after Wales were penalised for hinging down at a scrum, as the contest became more and more scrappy.

Wales centre Jamie Roberts was on his way to killing the game off as he raced towards the line after Scotland gave the ball up, but Sean Lamont made a terrific try-saving tackle.

The visitors came away with three points, however, as Hook kicked his third penalty and shortly afterwards Williams ran onto a Jonathan Davies kick to touch down again and put the result beyond doubt.