Wales A began their quest to win five Skanska Four Nations titles in a row with a tight 22-16 win over Scotland in Glasgow on Sunday.

Wales took the lead after five minutes when Swansea Valley Miners' Andrew Jenkins ran in. Blackwood Bulldogs’ David James increased that lead to 10-0 on the quarter hour before Scotland hit back with a Rob Smart try.

Smart added another on the half hour that was converted by Jamie Benn, but Wales went in with a 16-10 half-time lead after Sean Gilbertson forced his way over.

A Benn try, converted by Smart on the hour levelled the scores again leading to a grandstand finish as both sides battled to get the winner.

But it was Valley Cougars' Breakingbury

who ran in minutes before the end to give Wales the win with Cardiff Demons' Gareth Jones kicking his third conversion to round off the scoring.

Wales' next game is against Ireland on Saturday 19th August at the Brewery Field. It will be Ireland's last chance to stay in the hunt for the title following their loss to England on Saturday.

If all goes according to the form book in August, we could see an England v Wales decider at Headingley on September 10th.

Wales : David James (Blackwood Bulldogs), Damien Smith (Torfaen Tigers), Jon Breakingbury (Valley Cougars), Gareth Holtham (Cardiff Demons), Chris Roets (Swansea Valley Miners), Gareth Jones (Cardiff Demons), Andrew Jenkins (Swansea Valley Miners), Mark Wheeler (Newport Titans), Tyrone Mahoney (Newport Titans), Mark Devine (Cardiff Demons), Sean Gilbertson (Cardiff Demons), John Bowd (Newport Titans), Jason Hill (Torfaen Tigers, Captain). Subs: Steve Mayley (Torfaen Tigers), Lee Meredith (Newport Titans), Wes Palmer (Cardiff Demons), Lewis Culverwell (Newport Titans), Mark Burke (Aberavon Fighting Irish).

article by Ian Golden
16th July 2006