THE Wales coach Kevin Bowring rued the chances that got away, despite the tourists notching up their third victory in Australia, by 42-9, against Victoria in Melbourne yesterday.
Wales scored seven tries against what is one of the lesser State sides, but Bowring said: "Our inexperience in midfield was reflected in our play we didn't get the balance right."
Wales could only manage an Arwel Thomas penalty goal in the opening quarter, before Andy Moore darted over for the first try. Wing Wayne Proctor and full back Crispin Cormack added others, Cormack going on to complete his try hat trick deep into injury time.
Flanker Mike Voyle got Wales' other first half score, a brace from Cormack in the second half sandwiching one for battling number eight Andrew Gibbs.
Wales again denied the opposition a try. Andrew Hendry kicked all the Victoria points, with three penalty goals.
Scotland coach Richie Dixon admitted his side had plenty of preparation to do before the second Test against New Zealand after a nail biting 35-31 victory over Bay of Plenty in Rotorua yesterday.
Dixon watched his side recover from 31-22 down going into the last quarter - before a fortuitous try by scrum half Andy Nicol turned the tide. The telling contribution for the Scots, though, came from Stuart Lang, whose three successful kicks at goal won the game.
The 6ft 5ins full back, who had earlier made a try saving tackle, took over from stand off Craig Chalmers after the Melrose player had endured a dismal afternoon with his goal kicking.
Lang's conversion of Nicol's try and two penalty goals in the last 10 minutes gave the Scots their win.
Scotland started in confident fashion, responding to a penalty goal by Bay's stand off Andy Miller with a try by scrum half Nicol. Then winger Derek Stark raced in for try number two - the first of a personal hat trick. Chalmers kicked the conversion but two more penalty goals by Miller kept Bay in contention.
Scotland extended their lead when Stark touched down from a simple set piece move, but Bay hit back with tries by centre Jason Spanhake and hooker Joe Edwards, and they moved further ahead after Stewart Campbell had been penalised for an off the ball offence.
Then, from what looked to all intents like an illegal `flying wedge', number eight Clayton McMillan was bundled over for try number three.
The Scots came back with a fine try from Stark carved out by Glasgow, but Bay's right wing George Tamani got the touchdown from a chip through by stand off Miller. Miller's conversion extended Bay's lead to nine points, but Scotland took command in the last 13 minutes.
