Brough's bravado fires Scots

Scotland 30 - Wales

Danny Brough showed the qualities that tempted Hull to offer him a Super League contract with an outstanding international debut that inspired the Scots to an exciting victory in the European Nations Cup over Wales in Glasgow yesterday.

Danny Brough showed the qualities that tempted Hull to offer him a Super League contract with an outstanding international debut that inspired the Scots to an exciting victory in the European Nations Cup over Wales in Glasgow yesterday.

The 21-year-old scrum-half, who scored over 400 points for York in National League Two this year, must have impressed the watching Hull coach John Kear with his accomplished display, sparking his side's attacks with clever distribution and astute kicking while landing five goals from as many attempts, which ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.

Scotland take on Ireland in Navan on Friday, with the winners assured of a place in the final.

"Brough had a big game, especially considering it was his first international and I was pleased by the way the four Scottish amateurs integrated into the squad," said the Scotland coach, Steve McCormack. "We have a big task next week but we are looking forward to it."

Scotland held a commanding 18-6 lead at the break with the Scottish Students winger Andy McPhail scoring a debut try and Spencer Miller and Dave McConnell also going over. But Wales, whose first-half try came from Ian Watson, looked the livelier side for much of the second half and tied the scores at 22-22 with 13 minutes remaining. Steve Thomas, Aled James and Bryn Powell all crossed for the visitors.

But the home side finished with a flourish, an 80-metre counter-attack featuring the South African-born centre Jamie Bloem, who had earlier kicked two conversions, setting up the winning try for the veteran Swinton winger Jason Roach.

Scotland: Graham (Batley Bulldogs); Roach (Swinton Lions), Marsh (Oldham), Bloem (Halifax), McPhail (Glasgow Bulls); McConnell (Leigh Centurions), Brough (York City Knights); Howieson (Sheffield Eagles), Henderson (Wests Tigers), Tunstall (Workington Town), Szotack (Bradford Bulls), Lowe (Featherstone Rovers), Miller (Whitehaven). Substitutes used: Shaw (Scotland Students), Brown (Fife Lions), Birchall (Halifax).

Wales: Gibson (Castleford Tigers); O'Hare (Huddersfield Giants), Tassell (unattached), Hughes (Widnes Vikings), Powell (Salford City Reds); Lennon (Manly Sea Eagles), Watson (Oldham); Price (Rochdale Hornets), Clark (Barrow Raiders), Dean (Workington Town), J James (Sheffield Eagles), Thomas (London Broncos), Pugh (Barrow Raiders). Substitutes used: Strong (Bridgend Blue Bulls), A James (Sheffield Eagles), Taylor (Leeds Rhinos), Brown (Coventry RU).

Referee: T Alibert (France).

¿ England romped to a 17-try, 98-4 victory over Russia in their opening Nations Cup match in Moscow yesterday. Karl Harrison's team also had four tries disallowed as they only narrowly failed to top their record 102-0 victory over the Russians at Bradford a year ago.