Wales continue Grand Slam march

Updated 15.39 Sat Mar 08 2008

Keywords: six nations, wales, ireland

Shane Williams plundered the decisive try as Wales continued their Grand Slam march with a deserved 16-12 victory over Ireland at Croke Park.

Wales dominated the encounter yet had to wait until the 57th minute to pierce the Irish defence with the elusive Williams dancing over to wrestle the Triple Crown from their opponents.

Wales dominated the encounter yet had to wait until the 57th minute to pierce the Irish defence with the elusive Williams dancing over to wrestle the Triple Crown from their opponents

It was the Ospreys winger's 40th Test try, equalling the record set by Gareth Thomas, and lifted his remarkable strike rate to 11 tries in eight games.

Llanelli fly-half Stephen Jones contributed two penalties and a conversion while his eventual replacement James Hook weighed in with three points.

Wales controlled long passages of play, refusing to give up possession, but Ireland's muscular defence held up impressively until Williams' moment of magic.

They face France in Cardiff next Saturday, where they will be seeking to complete the Grand Slam they last won in 2005.