SCOTLAND 18 WALES 19
(at Murrayfield, Edinburgh).
This was one of the greatest matches ever played in the Five-Nations Championship with the bearded English born-and-bred flanker John Taylor being always remembered for the kick that won the match for Wales just two minutes from time.
Scotland had played well, but Wales had a great side and just pulled out the final try with a piece of magic that they did so often in the 1970s.
Scotland skipper Peter Brown used his unique style to land two penalties but Wales responded with a Barry John drop goal and conversion of a
splendid Taylor try to leave Wales 8-6 ahead at the interval.
Gareth Edwards produced one of his special tries, but Scotland hit back in a purple patch as strong prop Sandy Carmichael – a great favourite of the Welsh players – ran all of two yards for a try and a third Brown penalty swept them into a 12-11 lead.
Then, John weaved like a magician through the home defence, but was shaken as he dived over halfway out and missed the conversion kick.
Scotland were far from finished and after Brown’s fourth penalty had restored their one-point lead, it was centre Chris Rea, who crashed through Wales tacklers to score one-handed as he was held at the line. Brown missed his kick from the side of a post and that gave Wales a lifeline.
They took it as Scotland tired and Delme Thomas rose to win a lineout on the left and sent it to Edwards, who passed to Barry John, John Dawes (missing out centre Ian Hall) and JPR Williams before Gerald Davies received on the right wing and beat a tiring defence, evading full back Ian Smith to touchdown nearer the corner flag than the posts.
Taylor was given the kick by skipper Dawes and he left-footed placed the conversion over with a mighty effort though several players refused to look until they heard the roar of the crowd.
Scorers.
Scotland – Tries: Sandy Carmichael, Chris Rea. Pens: Peter Brown (4).
Wales – Tries: John Taylor, Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Gerald Davies. Cons: John Taylor, Barry John. Pen: Barry John.
Wales v Scotland 1963
Wales v Scotland 1923
