Six Nations - Scots down Italy for first win

Eurosport - Mon, 02 Mar 08:28:00 2009

Scotland displayed superior imagination on attack to record a 26-6 win over Italy at Murrayfield and clinch their first win of the Six Nations.

Simon Danielli - Scotland - 0

Right wing and man-of-the-match Simon Danielli and replacement flanker Scott Gray scored tries either side of halftime to build on the Scots' promising performance in Paris two weeks ago.

During a 10-minute appearance as a blood substitute for flyhalf Phil Godman, Chris Paterson gave his side the perfect start with two penalty goals. He landed another as a replacement for fullback Hugo Southwell in the second half.

Italy, however, showed early signs of penetrating the Scotland defence and flanker Alessandro Zanni was presented with an easy interception from a slack pass by Southwell.

Danielli tracked down Zanni but three phases later Italy profited as skipper and number eight Sergio Parisse demonstrated his all-round abilities with a drop goal to post his side's first points.

Godman, fully patched up, then restored Scotland's six-point advantage with a simple penalty goal, that was to preface a great score for the Scots.

From a lineout just outside the Italian 22 metres, Alasdair Strokosch provided possession allowing the Scots to work a midfield move, an inside pass from Graeme Morrison to Danielli that sent the blindside wing scorching through the Italy defence for a try under the posts.

Just before half-time Andrea Marcato was wide with a penalty attempt to leave his side trailing 16-3 at the break.

The gap narrowed 12 minutes into the second half when Luke McLean kicked his first penalty goal.

Scotland responded with a second spectacular score. This time the Scots moved the ball left to Danielli whose quick inside pass sent Max Evans darting to the line. When the centre was stopped by Parisse, Gray was on hand to take Evans' off-load before diving over for a great try, converted by Godman.

The Scots should have extended their lead when prop Alasdair Dickinson showed remarkable pace in a dash to the line but sadly for the home side his pass to the supporting Chris Cusiter, the replacement for scrum-half and captain Mike Blair, was ruled forward.

As it was Paterson added extra points with his third penalty goal but Italy were not finished and came desperately close to scoring when Mauro Bergamasco chipped ahead only for the flanker to be denied by Gray in a scramble on the Scots' line.

Reuters

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  1. Hey its great to be following what all other nations­ seem­ to consider is the worst team of players in the­ world. ­ However, Consider this: If England are so bad­ then how come Wales and Ireland­ could only manage a­ single score difference between­ themselves and England­ who only had 14 of the so called worst players on the­ pitch for aquater of each of those matches! Doesnt say­ much for Wales and Ireland does, just about scraping­ wins. Even Englands worst performance was enough to­ thrash­ Italy.

    If this is the worst ever team, then I­ am proud to support them because if­ they had managed­ to keep 15 players on the pitch for the whole match­ they would­ probably have beaten Wales and Ireland.­ With that in mind bring on the­ great French and the­ Scottish supermen. Lets see if­ they can beat our 14­ worst players as well, as I am sure the referees will­ give them that advantage.

    From Sadoldgit, on Mon 2 Mar 9:45PM

  2. Hey great to be following what all other nations seem­ to consider the worst team of players in the world. ­ Consider this: England are so bad yet Wales and Ireland­ can only manage a single score difference between­ themselves and only 14 of the worst players to play­ against for a quater of the match! So how great are­ your teams? The worst performance was enogh to thrash­ Italy. Its great to follow the worst ever team who if­ they manage to keep 15 players on the pitch would­ probably have beaten Wales and Ireland. Bring on the­ great French and the Scottish supermen. Lets see if­ they can beat our 14 worst players as well.

    From Sadoldgit, on Mon 2 Mar 7:31PM

  3. I think someone told Borthwick that they will get a­ bonus point if they collect 12 yellow cards. Perhaps­ the France game will provide them with the­ opportunity.

    When Johnno said that he was only­ interested in breaking records, I dont think this is­ what he meant.

    By the time the 6N is over they will­ have enough yellow cards to make their own
    'Post­ it' pad!

    From brw1marine, on Mon 2 Mar 11:35AM

  4. Number 4 Get off their case, a handful of teams and­ players to choose from, not like England who are by far­ the richest and who have by far have the most clubs and­ subsequently players(more than Scotland ,Wales and­ Ireland put together) Wales and Ireland have a few more­ than Scotland who always have a really good go.
    In any­ case Wales and Ireland have beaten you once again and­ my money (heart at least is on Scotland!)

    From iagoapcoyne, on Mon 2 Mar 1:10AM

  5. Scotland are abysmal and Italy were worse, and this­ game was like the battle of the wooden spoon­ contenders.

    I can't help feeling that Italians­ have no luck either, they never seem to get the bounce­ of the ball they need. As for Nick Mallet's­ comments about his own side and the levels of the­ Italian players.... well, he wouldn't be coaching­ my side for very long that's for sure.

    From Tarquinius S, on Sun 1 Mar 11:34AM

  6. After watching France Vs Wales, this game looked like a­ bunch of amateurs Vs another bunch of amateurs

    From Donald D, on Sat 28 Feb 5:17PM

  7. As an English man living in the South of France there­ is only one team in this game. Im with you Gary.
    Come­ on Scotland

    From John B, on Sat 28 Feb 1:43PM

  8. Come on SCOTLAND!!

    From Gary Murray, on Sat 28 Feb 1:17PM
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