| Wales, needing to beat Scotland and claim their seventh consecutive outright title, were denied victory by a Scotland side that fought tooth and nail to gain a 6-6 draw. Wales were therefore forced to share the title for the very first time after England had outplayed Ireland 38-19 earlier in the day.
England and Wales finished joint top with four points apiece and Tournament Director Paul Thorburn ruled that the title would be shared. If goalkicker Ross Curle (Glasgow Academy) had kicked his goals then Scotland would have gained a famous victory.
The little fly half put over a drop goal and penalty in the first half and missed two others but cruelly failed with a 22 metre penalty right in front of the Welsh posts with just 6 minutes to go. Wales were strangely out of sorts up front and lacked the cutting edge behind that they had shown against England in Tuesday’s 20-6 win. But all credit to underdogs Scotland who had been dubbed no hopers by the press.
They dominated the line out from the off and lock Steven Turnbull (Strathallan) and No. 8 Richard Vernon (Dundee HS) must take huge credit for their nothing short of brilliant work, with and against the throw.
“It was the key area of the game” said Wales’s forwards coach Ian Gardner. ”Scotland had done their home work on our line out and starved of possession in that area, we could never build up any momentum of attack.”
Wales trailed 6-0 before some second half substitutions, including the appearance of prop Hugh Gustafson (Coleg Sir Gar) brought more urgency to their game. Fly half Kristian Baller (Neath Port Talbot College) kicked two penalties and there were some threatening attacks in the latter stages but Scottish defence, led by tough tackling centre and captain Graham Hogg was up to the challenge.
Scotland: Pen R Curle Drop Goal R Curle
Wales: Pens K Baller (2)
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