Scotland hold off storming Wales fightback for thrilling Cardiff victory

Scotland won in Cardiff for the first time in 22 years, but rarely can such a seemingly historic opening phrase fall so far short of adequately describing what actually happened. Here was yet another extraordinary display of breathless drama and skill in a sport seemingly overflowing with them.

It appeared Scotland had that historic victory in the bag within 40 minutes, very definitely within 43, by which time they had opened up a 27-0 lead, having obliterated their inexperienced hosts, for whom absolutely nothing was going according to plan. Then, as if a flick had been switched, the Welsh kids threw caution to the wind. And, boyo, it appears they can play when they want to.

Related: Wales 26-27 Scotland: Six Nations 2024 – live reaction

Having not been able to win lineout ball for love nor money in the opening half, they executed a sweet lineout and drive five minutes after that deficit had been established, for James Botham, son of Liam, grandson of Ian, to score. A murmur in the dumbstruck crowd.

That was just the first stirring. Five minutes later again, Wales were hammering at Scotland’s defence, by now reduced to 14 following George Turner’s yellow card. Tomos Williams, a half-time replacement, looped round Nick Tompkins to send Rio Dyer over out wide. More than a stirring now – a full-on riot. And seemingly nothing now could stop Wales winning ball and making ground. Scotland would not be awarded a single penalty in the entirety of the second half; Wales had 14 of them in a row.

On the hour, Sione Tuipulotu was shown Scotland’s second yellow, as the wave after wave of ravenous youngsters in red hammered at their line. Another tapped penalty and the magnificent Aaron Wainwright was over. Ioan Lloyd, on in the first half for his even younger fly-half comrade, Sam Costelow, landed his second conversion to pull Wales back to within eight.

Then the registering of the two bonus points they would end up with, courtesy of Wales’s fourth. Cameron Winnett, looking great on debut, combined with Dyer to cause havoc down the left. Another penalty, another lineout and drive – try for Alex Mann, another debutant. Ten full minutes to complete the job, the stadium was its traditional inferno now, the kids inspired.

But kids is what they are. That was as far as they could go. They lost their first lineout in those final 10 minutes. And so it was to Scotland to press at the end, in search of a bonus point of their own, but Duhan van der Merwe was denied his third try at the death by a prone Welsh leg. Scotland did not quibble.

Wales, meanwhile, had ridden seeming indignity to announce maybe the start of a new era. They had nothing to lose in the second half, it is true, but these deficits need overhauling – and Scotland were more than ruffled by the end.

Received wisdom had it that a good start was essential for this young Welsh team. Well, the cold reality could not have turned out more differently. Wales turned around 20-0 down, completely outplayed and with Costelow off with a head injury.

Opposite him, Scotland’s captain had seemed to announce almost immediately he was in one of those moods. Finn Russell had the ball on a string in that half, whether off hand or boot. For Scotland’s second try, on the half-hour, he flummoxed the youngster opposite with a show and go to send Van der Merwe over for his first.

Winnett looked confident at full-back, but Scotland’s new boy in the 15 shirt, Kyle Rowe, had the run of the place early on, linking with his namesake Steyn on the wing at will. All of which is much easier when you have oodles of ball to work with.

Scotland’s pack dominated the Welsh unit, which was, yes, very, very inexperienced. Scotland won more lineouts on Wales’s throw in the first half (five) than they did on their own. But, as their lead started to grow, so did Wales’s composure unravel.

• Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'.

• If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.

• In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.

• Turn on sport notifications.

Costelow was caught offside to allow Russell to open up an early lead in the fifth minute. Five minutes later, Russell put Rowe through a half-gap. The full-back found Kyle Steyn on the right, who cut hard inside to within a few yards. A couple of robust carries later, Pierre Schoeman forced his way over the line for a 10-0 lead in almost as many minutes.

As experienced a player as Josh Adams was next to have a brain fade, when he threw the ball into the crowd after Russell had landed a 50-22. The punishment was a further three points, before that second try created the 20-point lead at half-time. Scotland stole another lineout, Russell sprayed more kicks to his outside backs, the two Kyles making hay down the right, before Russell executed that loop round Tuipulotu to send Van der Merwe to the posts.

Warren Gatland brought on three players at the break, but the initial impact was limited. Van der Merwe had his second only two minutes in, rampaging round Williams, newly on, after a sweet counter by Russell. How imperious Scotland looked then; how lost Wales. How wrong we all were…