WALES 22 SCOTLAND 15
(at the Arms Park, Cardiff).
The longest goal ever kicked at the Arms Park was the highlight of this game and also helped Wales to victory. It was landed by Neath full back Paul Thorburn when Wales were holding a slender 16-15 lead.
The ball was to land a distance of 70 yards and eight inches from the spot that Thorburn kicked, in front of the South Stand, to the point way behind the posts that the ball landed on.
Scotland had scored three tries to one by Wales wing Adrian Hadley and their fast rucking, led by ‘The White Shark’ John Jeffrey, was a lesson to the home side.
Then, flanker Finlay Calder was adjudged to have made a late tackle on outside half Jonathan Davies and Thorburn told his captain, flanker David Pickering, that: “I fancy my chance, as if I miss, the ball will still be in the Scotland half.”
He gave the ball a massive thump as he kicked towards the River Taff end of the ground amid an astonished silence. It was the longest goal kicked in the 105 years history of Welsh rugby.
“I probably kicked more important goals, but that was my longest,” Thorburn later commented. Over 20 years later he was asked to try a few shots by a television company, but had long finished playing and could go nowhere near to repeating the kick.
Scorers.
Wales – Try: Adrian Hadley. Pens: Paul Thorburn (5). DG: Jonathan Davies.
Scotland – Matt Duncan, John Jeffrey, Gavin Hastings. Pen: Gavin Hastings.
Wales v Scotland 1971
Wales v Scotland 1963
Wales v Scotland 1923
