Re: [6Nations] Wales 32-20 Ireland
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4358121.stm
Wales survived some anxious moments to claim their first Grand Slam since
1978 with a historic victory in Cardiff.
Mike Ruddock's side held their nerve to beat Ireland at home for the first
time since 1983 and clinch the Six Nations.
A first-half try from Gethin Jenkins helped Wales to a 16-6 interval lead,
with Gavin Henson weighing in with a drop goal and a long-range penalty.
Kevin Morgan's try put them 29-6 up but tries from Marcus Horan and Geordan
Murphy ensured a nervous finale.
But Wales, for whom fly-half Stephen Jones added 16 points with the boot,
held on to complete a remarkable transformation in fortunes.
They failed to win a match in the Six Nations two years ago, but under
Ruddock they have flourished by reverting to the adventurous style of old.
Early on it seemed nerves might get the better of them, as Ronan O'Gara
nudged Ireland ahead with a penalty and Jones pulled one wide in response.
But the Welsh fly-half's long diagonal punt relieved the pressure, Henson
dropping a goal from the subsequent line-out to level the scores after 11
minutes.
Wales took the lead with a bizarre try in the 16th minute.
Brian O'Driscoll turned over Welsh ball but O'Gara, the Irish fly-half,
dawdled for a moment too long with his clearance kick.
The onrushing Jenkins charged it down, the prop showing remarkable composure
to kick ahead and then wait patiently before flopping on the ball over the
line.
Jones' conversion put Wales 10-3 up, and Henson extended the lead with a
monster 52m penalty from inside his own half before Ireland almost scored
with a a great attacking move.
O'Driscoll sent Denis Hickie haring away, but Girvan Dempsey was held up on
the line by another superb Stephen Jones tackle.
The visitors, by contrast, continued to shoot themselves in the foot.
A blatant Malcolm O'Kelly shove at a line-out allowed Wales relief before
O'Driscoll came in the side of a ruck and Jones kicked Wales further ahead
before the half-hour.
O'Gara did bring Ireland to within 10 points with a second penalty after 34
minutes, but Wales were happy with a 16-6 interval lead.
If there was a lack of authority about some of their first-half efforts, the
home side dominated the opening 15 minutes on the resumption.
Jones landed two penalties to put Wales 22-6 up, with O'Gara pushing one wide
at the other end.
Wales should have been further ahead, but Martyn Williams wasted a golden
try-scoring opportunity when he knocked on with a huge overlap to his right.
When Ireland number eight Anthony Foley failed to finish at the right corner,
forced into touch by the diminutive Shane Williams, Wales sensed their destiny.
Just before the hour, Shanklin burst through the Irish midfield and found
the supporting Morgan, who dived over for a try converted by Jones.
But Wales eased off and Ireland hit back with a close-range try from
replacement prop Horan.
When Murphy took advantage of David Humphreys' hanging kick to make it
32-20 with seven minutes left, a nervous finale was on the cards.
But Wales regathered themselves, and referee Chris White's final whistle
sparked wild celebrations.
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