Scotland restored pride in Cardiff but still fell to their ninth RBS 6 Nations defeat in succession as a two-try second-half spurt from Wales secured their tenth win a row against their visitors.
Tries from Jamie Roberts and George North midway through the second half turned the tide in Wales’ favour after Scotland enjoyed the best of the first hour, but defensive mistakes again cost them dear.
The men in blue had recovered admirably from an early blow with a controversial try after just seven minutes to lead 16-13 going in to the last quarter, but Wales big-match experience told in the end.
Tommy Seymour and Duncan Taylor with barely seconds left on the clock were the Scottish try scorers but there were key missed chances and they lost Stuart Hogg after the full-back was forced off injured after less than half an hour.
The Scottish effort was especially admirable after the hammer blow of Gareth Davies’ seventh minute try that probably should not have been allowed.
A little chip from Dan Biggar was contested by Jamie Roberts and Duncan Taylor on halfway and when the ball fell loose Davies saw a huge gap open up in front of him and raced 50 yards for the score.
Confirmation was delayed to see replays that the Welsh scrum-half was not offside, and although the decision looked at best marginal with the Scots clearly believing it should go in there favour, the try was given and Biggar converted.
The Scottish response was crucial and it was almost immediate. They strung together 20 phases of play systematically moving up the field with Stuart Hogg, Mark Bennett and Jonny Gray prominent.
They moved into the Welsh 22 and Russell spotted a gap behind Tom James, his deft chip being swept up by Tommy Seymour for the try, Greig Laidlaw converting.
The Scots then had a golden chance to take a grip on the game when John Barclay emerged from a ruck with the ball and ran 30 metres, but didn’t see Hogg and Bennett racing up on his right and kicked instead of giving it to Scotland’s two quickest players with little Welsh defence to cover.
Two Scottish attacking mauls were stalled by the Welsh locks who were also causing problems at the lineout, but John Hardie won a penalty on the deck and Laidlaw booted the Scots ahead from 42 metres.
Scotland suffered a big blow as Hogg limped off after taking a blow to the hip, and Wales replied with a Biggar penalty strike after getting the push on at the scrum.
But more systematic Scottish phase play missing the errors of last week’s Calcutta Cup game forced won territory and a penalty right on half-time, Laidlaw sending his side in 13-10 ahead at the break.
Dan Biggar’s early second half penalty after a powerful run by George North levelled the scores, but Scotland continued to put pressure on Wales with Richie Gray’s chargedown of a Biggar clearance nearly producing a score.
Eventually Laidlaw put the Scots back in front when Wales were penalised at the scrum and the Scots were pressing again only for the tide to turn in the home side’s favour in decisive fashion.
Hardie was making ground in the 22 when he spilled the ball and James hared down the touchline only stopped by a try-saving tackle from Duncan Taylor.
But a messy lineout tap from Richie Gray gave the Welsh a scrum five, and although the Scots initially held their ground under severe pressure, Roberts smashed over from close range for the try, Biggar converting.
And barely had that score registered than the Welsh attacked off solid sctum ball, North coming off his wing on an arcing run and going completely untouched for the clinching try, again converted by Biggar.
Scotland got some consolation with second remaining when Taylor went through a gap and held off tacklers, but Wales’ second-half surge had secured them victory.
Wales: L Williams; G North, J Davies, J Roberts, T James (G Ainscombe 66); D Biggar (R Priestland 76), G Davies; R Evans (G Jenkins 48), S Baldwin (K Owens 48), S Lee (T Francis 69); L Charteris (B Davies 48), A W Jones; S Warburton (capt), J Tipuric (D Lydiate 62), T Faletau.
Scotland: S Hogg (R Jackson 29); T Seymour, M Bennett, D Taylor, S Lamont; F Russell (D Weir 69), G Laidlaw (capt, S Hidalgo-Clyne 77); A Dickinson (G Reid 66), R Ford (S McInally 66), WP Nel; R Gray, J Gray (T Swinson 69); J Barclay (B Cowan 66), J Hardie, D Denton.
Ref: G Clancy (IRFU)