Scotland produced a blistering second-half display to trounce Wales at Myreside tonight.

The Scots, beaten in their opening game against France a fortnight ago, opened the visitors up with a combination of forward power and incisive running from midfield.

Number eight Simon Taylor, out since November with a broken hand, signalled his intention to earn a senior recall before the Six Nations campaign is complete with a fine performance, capped by the final Scottish try.

Full-back Glenn Metcalfe did the same, collecting a second-half score for himself against a pitiful Welsh team that offered little until the game was lost.

A dismal opening period produced a single memorable moment, David Officer making a half-break which set up the field position from which outstanding hooker Gavin Scott finished a catch and drive in injury time.

Ross converted, giving him a 50% success rate for the half, following one success and two failures from his earlier penalty attempts.

Craig Warlow had levelled Ross' three-pointer just before the half hour but as the teams trooped in for their interval drink, most of the 6,000 crowd were left to wonder why they had exposed themselves to such a bitterly cold evening.

Salvation came in a thrilling start to the second half.

Within 15 minutes, the packed throng had seen three tries, a mass brawl and a single Jonathan Humphreys punch which brought the experienced hooker a yellow card just seconds after the re-start.

The Scots capitalised on their man advantage immediately when prop Paul Johnstone grabbed a replica of Scott's opening try from the resulting penalty.

However, home skipper Graeme Burns kicked away the clear advantage when his attempted punt downfield was charged down by opposite number Huw Harries, who scooped up the loose ball and charged home from 30 metres.

Despite fielding almost an entire team of full internationals, Wales could not capitalise on the situation and quickly found themselves further in arrears.

In contrast to their previous efforts, Scotland's third try was a reward for
dynamism.

Five players were involved in a move which swept the length of the field before Taylor gave Longstaff a clear run to the posts.

The touchdown was sandwiched between a Ross penalty and drop goal to leave the visiting fans heading for the exits with 20 minutes still remaining.

Those who remained poured scorn on their own players, Glenn Metcalfe juggling Kevin Utterson's short pass as he crossed the line after the home side had created a five-man overlap.

Lock Chris Stephens and winger Craig Morgan raced in for consolation tries for the visitors, sandwiching another sin-binning for Scotland flanker Don Mackinnon.

But it was far too late to affect the outcome, which was sealed when Taylor intercepted and dashed over unopposed, allowing Ross to convert with the final kick of the game.