Two in a row for Wales

Wales have followed up their shock RBS Six Nations win against England by taking a 30-15 victory over Scotland at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

It was ultimately a comfortable victory for the Welsh and yet coach Warren Gatland will have plenty upon which to ponder - particularly how his side largely controlled possession and yet found it difficult to convert their chances.

This was especially the case in the first half, when Shane Williams scored the first of two tries, and Scotland would have been happy with a half-time deficit of 10-6 after they had made a number of set-piece errors.

The match continued in its fast-paced yet scrappy way and, despite a try from James Hook early in the second half, Scotland might also not have complained about their two-point deficit after an hour's play - Chris Paterson kicking five penalties.

However, they had cause to after Williams scored his second try on 67 minutes, the match's video referee giving the winger the benefit of the doubt even though his foot appeared to be in touch when going over.

Scotland lost their opening line-out when a loose throw from hooker Ross Ford saw Martyn Williams booting the ball forward, before Hugo Southwell finally did what Nick de Luca failed to do moments earlier and recover the situation.

Onslaught

A Wales scrum deep in opposition territory was the result but Scotland's defence held out against the early onslaught and the visitors eventually earned a reprieve with a penalty.

Scotland were making errors and Wales looked to take advantage after five minutes when Jamie Roberts broke on the overlap; however, his pass inside was intercepted.

A similar error moments later from Hook then saw Scotland making their first serious incursion, with Tom Shanklin eventually recovering. Nevertheless, a Paterson penalty put the first points on the board.

But Wales' breakthrough came after 12 minutes, with Shane Williams jinking in to touch down after a right-to-left move which saw Hook's deft pass send through Lee Byrne - the full-back then releasing the winger to score.

Hook converted and Scotland's woes soon mounted when Nathan Hines was sin-binned for taking a swing at Ian Evans.

They did manage to hold out despite the one-man deficit, however, with Wales' next break of note ending after 26 minutes when Shanklin's final pass to Shane Williams was adjudged forward.

Two minutes later, after Scotland had been penalised for not releasing, Hook placed Wales 10-3 ahead.

With captain Jason White then suffering a knock to the head and replaced by Allister Hogg, a second Paterson penalty brought the deficit back to four points.

Scotland were gaining more possession in the closing minutes of the opening period, but mistakes were still being made - de Luca and Euan Murray both knocking on needlessly.

But the visitors made the stronger start to the second half, with a break orchestrated by Hogg and John Barclay resulting in Paterson's third penalty.

And, with only one point now in it, Scotland's resurgence had by now neutered the hitherto crackling atmosphere.

Poor defence

But their defence was non-existent after 46 minutes when, and in spite of a poor pass from Mike Phillips to Hook, the latter was able to collect the ball and sell the dummy before touching down.

Hook kicked the extras and, with the game opening up, two penalties from Paterson - the second being from a good 45 metres - brought Scotland back to within two points.

With Stephen Jones now on for Hook, the replacement fly-half rounded off a period of Wales possession with a simple penalty after 64 minutes.

Far more crucial was Williams' second score two minutes later, the winger wriggling to the outside and evading three challenges before touching down.

The video referee decided that Williams' foot had not grazed the touchline - Scotland perhaps having cause for grievance - Jones then converting to place Wales 12 points clear, before the fly-half found the target again with a long-range penalty.

Replacement Sonny Parker was then bundled out of play before he could add a fourth try with five minutes remaining.

With victory out of reach, Scotland nevertheless persevered for a try of their own, but, after spending the closing moments of normal time camped on the Wales line, the ball was instead turned over.