Scotland’s barren run in this year’s Under-20 Six Nations came to an end in emphatic fashion as they ran in four tries to secure a bonus-point win over Wales in Edinburgh.
Captain Connor Boyle led the way for the hosts, scoring an early opener before Robbie McCallum and Rory McMichael got in on the act before half-time.
The tries kept coming and Jack Blain secured a morale-boosting bonus-point after the break.
Substitutes Will Griffiths and Sam Costelow added late scores as Wales rallied in search of the win they needed to keep their own title hopes alive, but Scotland held on to hand the Championship to Ireland.
FAST STARTERS
It took Carl Hogg’s hungry team just six minutes to open the scoring as skipper Boyle powered his way over in an early statement of intent.
Centre McCallum burst through for a second ten minutes later, and although two Cai Evans penalties halved the deficit, a revitalised home side added a third when winger McMichael pounced on a precise cross-field kick.
In between, Kwagga van Niekerk was given his temporary marching orders for a late tackle, but with the bit between their teeth, a relentless Scotland continued to press.
Leading 19-6 at the interval, winger Blain took advantage of a neat kick from fly-half Ross Thompson to seal the Scottish bonus-point with 30 minutes left on the clock.
WELSH HOPES DASHED
With title rivals Ireland victorious over France in a tight game in Cork, Wales knew they needed a miracle to take their challenge into the final week.
And in the end it was not to be, replacements Griffiths and Costelow dotting over to restore some pride but leave them seven clear by the final whistle.
Joy for Scotland, who will now hope to make further ground on the sides above them during the final week of the Championship.
But a night to forget for Jason Strange’s Wales, with their under-20s Six Nations dreams left in tatters. They will need to rally in a week’s time if they are to prevent Ireland claiming a Grand Slam.
