RETIRING Newport captain Gary Teichmann lifted another cup in his final appearance Wales yesterday.

As skipper of the Barbarians team which gained a last-kick 40-38 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium, Teichmann was presented with the Scottish Amicable trophy.

But not before his teammates had dashed to the touchline to embrace South Africa outside half Bram van Straaten after he had converted an injury-time try from right off the touchline to clinch a memorable victory.

"It was a good game and I enjoyed it. Now that I'm leaving the sun comes out," said Teichmann ruefully.

"Both sides tried to play Barbarians rugby and it was a nice way to finish. "What brought the Barbarians back in was that it was not just any other game. We wanted to win and it was always competitive."

It was that desire to win almost at any cost which ironically actually cost Wales the match.

For with the clock showing normal time was up acting captain Andy Moore, who leads the side in Japan this summer and with British Lions David Young and Mark Taylor off the field, elected to go for goal. Stephen Jones duly kicked it, the first time a penalty had even been attempted, but it rebounded severely on Wales.

Had the ball been put into touch and their own ball won enough time might have been wasted to clinch Wales a 38-33 win.

But the Barbarians attacked from the kick off, replacement flanker Pat Lam broke though, handed on to van Straaten and Friedrich Lombard squeezed in at the corner.

Van Straaten's dramatic conversion did the rest and Wales were undone. But there was consolation in the performance of the youngsters which showed Welsh rugby is in good hands.

None more so than teenage outside half Gavin Henson, who showed what a talent he is after going on for Neil Jenkins three minutes before half-time. Rival Southern Hemisphere coaches Graham Henry and Bob Dwyer both praised him particularly for his ability to find space.

Shane Williams, neglected by Henry this season, showed what a popular figure he is.

His electrifying pace and quick hands showed what a crowd pleaser he has become as the fans got to their feet almost every time he had the ball.

And then there was Kevin Morgan, not exactly a newcomer or a youngster, but out of the international limelight nonetheless for the last three years.

He also showed his running ability and his two tries after 54 and 58 minutes appeared to have won the game for Wales.

But the Barbarians kept coming back. Percy Montgomery showed flashes of brilliance at full back, as did scrum half Joost van der Westhuizen, though he missed out on his customary try against Wales.

Neil Jenkins set the ball rolling for Wales in what could be his last appearance at the Millennium Stadium, jinking inside and dashing over. That equalled a try by Dan Luger, proving his fitness for the Lions, New Zealand heavyweight Joeli Vidir adding another down the opposite flank. That made it 14-7 to the Baabaas at the interval.

Morgan opened up with his brace, then Lombard got his first, but Williams shot over for Wales.

Again the Baabaas replied through replacement hooker Naka Drotske, but Craig Quinnell stormed over from a line-out. The Baabaas hit back through a Montgomery try. Then came the Jones penalty and injury time drama.

If only the public and the media had not been conned into thinking it was a full international, with caps being handed out. But that's another story...nothing changes in Welsh rugby.