6N: Wales wallop overhyped Scotland 34-7

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) – A depleted Wales brought an overhyped Scotland back to earth by doing what it usually does to the Scots in Cardiff – beating them.

The only surprise was the scoreline, a whopping 34-7 with a four-tries bonus point on Saturday.

Valid expectations of a tight contest – Wales without eight Lions, more than 500 caps, and Scotland willing to give it a lash – were ripped up in the first minutes as Wales started fast with two tries to lead 14-0.

Scotland settled and drew the majority of possession but kept dropping passes or conceding penalties and didn’t stress the Wales defense until the very end.

Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny, who hadn’t scored a test try in five years, scored two for the first time since the same fixture in 2012. Back then he collected 22 points, on this occasion 24, becoming the third Welshman after Neil Jenkins and Stephen Jones to pass 700 points in tests.

After bombing at least three other tries, Wales bagged a bonus-point fourth with a Steff Evans dive and one-hand touchdown in the left corner. Hadleigh Parkes’ last pass was forward and missed by the officials, but it began from yet another turnover and Scotland, which hasn’t won in Cardiff in 16 years, couldn’t complain about the margin of defeat.

Scotland strung its longest series of phases together at the very end for a converted try for replacement center Peter Horne and prevented being blanked.

But the Scots, who have grown tough at home, still can’t get over a woeful record away from Murrayfield: This was their 16th loss in their last 18 away matches in the championship.

Wales’ Gareth Davies passes the ball from a ruck playing against Scotland during the 6 Nations match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday Feb. 3, 2018. (Paul Harding/PA via AP)

Wales’ Gareth Davies scores the opening try of the game against Scotland, during the 6 Nations match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday Feb. 3, 2018. (Nigel French/PA via AP)

Wales’ Leigh Halfpenny with the ball during the game against Scotland, in action during the 6 Nations match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday Feb. 3, 2018. (Paul Harding/PA via AP)

Wales’ Aaron Shingler wins the line-out against Scotland, during their 6 Nations rugby match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday Feb. 3, 2018. (Paul Harding/PA via AP)

Wales’ Aaron Shingler wins a line-out against Scotland, during their Six Nations rugby match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday Feb. 3, 2018. (Paul Harding/PA via AP)