Outplayed for long periods, Wales needed just one moment of individual class to keep its Six Nations Grand Slam aspirations on track at Twickenham Saturday. With five minutes left and the scores level, Scott Williams ripped the ball from the hands of England lock Courtney Lawes, collected his own chip kick and raced over for the only try. Leigh Halfpenny converted to make it 19-12 and round off a Triple Crown triumph with a third win from three matches. Wales has home games against Italy and France remaining and became a stronger favorite to win the championship, although France can strengthen its cause against Scotland Sunday. Ireland kept its faint title hopes alive with a comprehensive 42-10 win over Italy. Beaten by Wales in its opener, Ireland looked rusty after the three-week layoff caused by the postponement of its second match at France. Lions edge Cheetahs In Johannesburg, Elton Jantjies landed a Super 15-record nine penalties in a game as the Lions edged South African rival the Cheetahs 27-25 in a kickfest Saturday. Jantjies provided all of the Lions' points as he won his duel with Cheetahs No. 10 Johan Goosen, leading the home team back from a 22-12 deficit in the opening round. Jantjies' record-breaking ninth shot in the 74th minute also gave the Lions the lead for the first time since the opening 10 minutes at Ellis Park. In Cape Town, the Stormers needed a 72nd-minute penalty try to finally shake off a stubborn Wellington Hurricanes team and seal a 39-26 win. Earlier in the day in Sydney, winger Dom Shipperley dashed 80 meters for a try in the last play of the game to give defending champion the Queensland Reds a stunning 25-21 win over the New South Wales Waratahs in Super 15 rugby. Queensland seemed likely to start its first-ever title defense with a loss after former Cheetahs scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius sneaked over its goalline in the 67th minute to lift the Waratahs to a 21-15 lead. In New Zealand, Otago's Aaron Smith and Phil Burleigh scored second half tries as the Highlanders came from 10 points down to beat the Waikato Chiefs 23-19 in Super 15 rugby Saturday. The Highlanders trailed 19-9 nine minutes into the second half but tries to replacement scrumhalf Smith and inside center Burleigh turned the game in Otago's favor.In South Africa, Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn kicked five penalties and a drop goal as the three-time champion clung on for an 18-13 win over the Sharks on the first day of the Super 15 season Friday.
