Welsh U21 bounce back in Newport

Scotland beaten in exciting match

Wales outscored Scotland by four tries to two as the hosts won an entertaining under-21s clash 34-24 in Newport.

Although they trailed 21-20 at the interval, Wales played much the better brand of rugby – James Hook weighing in with 14 points.

The victory made up for last week's 26-18 defeat against England at Worcester, while Scotland have opened their campaign with two straight defeats.

But it was the Scots who got off to a spectacular start on just 32 seconds when centre Ben Cairns picked up a loose ball and ran in from 70 metres out.

Their 7-0 had some of the gloss taken off it when number eight John Barclay had to be carried from the field following a clash of heads with his opposite number Tom Smith.

When play restarted following the five-minute delay Wales hit back with a fine try of their own, half-backs Martin Roberts and Hook combining to put centre Andrew Bishop over in the left corner.

But with Wales playing a high-risk game, Scotland pounced on another loose ball – with wing Ben Addison winning the foot race ahead of Hook.

Wales then stormed into a 17-12 lead through fine tries by Dafydd Hewitt and Darren Daniel in the space of five minutes.

The try-fest then turned into a kicking contest as Blair slotted two penalties to Hook's one.

Scottish centre Garry Law then put over a drop goal to give the Scots that slender half-time lead.

The advantage lasted only until the 10th minute of the second half when Hook kicked his second penalty – a score which was to be cancelled out by a 50-metre effort from Blair four minutes later.

But Wales' ability to come up with a great try was highlighted when full-back Jamie Roberts crashed over in the right corner from a break by Hook.

Hook was on target again with his third penalty to give Wales a 31-24 advantage, and the same player's trusty right boot earned him a fourth three-pointer seven minutes from time to give Wales a healthy cushion.