Six Nations - England battle past Scotland

Eurosport - Sun, 22 Mar 08:32:00 2009

England survived an error-strewn second half to complete a 26-12 victory over Scotland on Saturday, reclaiming the Calcutta Cup and finishing their Six Nations campaign on a high.

Harry Ellis - England - 0

First-half tries for Ugo Monye and Riki Flutey had England deservedly ahead 15-3 at the break but Scotland closed within six points before a Danny Care drop goal and a late Mathew Tait try made sure.

Ireland's Grand-Slam clinching victory over Wales in Cardiff later on Saturday left England in second place for the second successive season having been outside the top two for the previous four years.

The victory also continued England's home stranglehold on the Scots, who have not won at Twickenham since 1983, and piles the pressure on Scotland coach Frank Hadden after a frustrating campaign that produced a solitary win, over Italy.

Twickenham was again bathed in the warm sunshine that encouraged England's first-half romp against France last week but the fans had to be a little more patient this time.

Scotland started strongly, led with a Chris Paterson penalty and were denied a try for Thom Evans only by a superb last-ditch tackle by Monye after a high-speed chase down the left wing.

A lengthy break for treatment for a head injury to England scrum-half Harry Ellis after 17 minutes worked in the home side's favour as they regrouped and looked far more positive, with Care taking over the scrumhalf duties.

Some patient passing and a clever delay by Toby Flood set up the opening score for Monye, his first in his sixth international, after 23 minutes.

Seven minutes later Flutey, who scored two against France last week, blasted through two tackles and kept enough of his little finger on the ball the get the nod from the video referee.

Flood, looking more confident with each game, finished the half off with a penalty for a 15-3 lead.

The third quarter was full of scrappy rugby, with handling errors undoing good attacking positions for both sides. Scotland came out of it the better, closing the gap marginally to 18-9 after an hour with two penalties.

Flood also landed one then missed a sitter as England, just as they did against France last week, lost their way and stopped doing the basics.

The Scots took full advantage, closing within six points when Paterson slotted another penalty to make it 16 out of 16 goal-kicks in the championship for the fullback, who started Scotland's first three games on the bench.

England's nerves were eased with Care's drop goal seven minutes from the end and they finally gave the crowd a third try to cheer when, following an uncontested scrum, replacement Tait crossed in the left corner.

Reuters

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  1. I think the whole six nations have been marred by the­ introduction of the ELVs. They have not made for good­ rugby.
    Its a flaw in the game that has to be sorted out­ before the next world cup. Once it rains the game will­ fall apart due to the restrictions of the ELVs have in­ allowing sides to vary their game and play to the­ conditions.
    Wales lost because they did understand the­ rules and kicked the ball out. The rule of not kicking­ to touch from the 22 if its passed back is stupid.
    The­ players have suffered because its like paying rugby as­ an 11 year old with so much whistle now and no flow to­ the game.
    Scrap the ELVs before we ruin the world cup­ 2001.
    I thought the standered of the officals from­ South Africa so low it must be a cocern for the IRB.

    From john b, on Sun 22 Mar 10:57AM

  2. soooooo proud to be English!!

    From Nicola B, on Sun 22 Mar 9:19AM

  3. Quite right Fiona.

    What I like about rugby is seeing­ supporters from all sides in the stands mixing­ together. In the club used by presenter John Inverdale­ et al before the Wales Ireland match you could see the­ mix of green and red shirts in the background.

    From The Iron Duke, on Sun 22 Mar 9:10AM

  4. Just read forums for Ir vs Wales and Eng vs Scot. ­ Being english of scottish decent (Wallace) it was sad­ to see Scotland loose, but someone has too. This is­ rugby, and traditionally fans just enjoy the game then­ get together winner & loser and have a good time. ­ Some of the people seem to have forgotten this or they­ are not real rugby supporters. Long live Rugby.

    From Fiona, on Sun 22 Mar 8:53AM

  5. No doubt that Scotland had some chances and had they­ gone the other way the result might have looked very­ different, however England took a deserved victory.­ Englands 2nd place in the table is a bit flattering but­ none to the less good to see.

    I have been less than­ happy with MJ as England coach and I am still not sure­ he is the right guy but never the less, having taken­ the stick he should also take some praise.

    Oh yes -­ well done to the Irish guys - that was a great match to­ watch, might have gone either way in the very last few­ minutes but the result went England's way!!!!!!­ Lets hope its another 60 odd years until your next­ Grand Slam, Ireland!

    From The Iron Duke, on Sun 22 Mar 7:39AM

  6. I'm a proud Scotsman and I am gutted for the­ Scottish boys today, but there's no doubt about it;­ England deserve their victory. Congratulations­ especially to Ugo Monye - his tackle on Thom Evans was­ an outstanding effort. Okay guys, enjoy your win, but­ beware, we'll be gunning for you again next year at­ Murrayfield!

    From Colin, on Sun 22 Mar 2:58AM

  7. Fantastic England!! Well played, lets hope this is the­ beginning of something great! xx

    From Clare, on Sun 22 Mar 12:25AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Isn't it about time the the 6 nations format was­ improved. the top 3 should play each other home &­ away , same for the bottom 3, with 3rd going down &­ 4th going up next season. Thoughts?

    From David, on Sat 21 Mar 9:06PM

  9. come on England, yes we are getting better and i see­ good times coming and a very good side starting to­ develop. So England fans let us look forward.

    From Colin H, on Sat 21 Mar 8:26PM

  10. england!!!!!!!!X900000000 we rock!!!!

    From sam, on Sat 21 Mar 5:39PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    @#$%

    From Joseph, on Sat 21 Mar 3:51PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    come on you spurs

    From Joseph, on Sat 21 Mar 3:51PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    come on scotland

    From Joseph, on Sat 21 Mar 3:50PM

  14. It will be tight, but we are stronger mentally­ (Scotland) . May the best team win, the result is not­ the thing. Do I believe that? Not really, but bring it­ on.

    From m.robertson15, on Fri 20 Mar 10:32PM

  15. It gonna be really tight tomorrow, as the scots will be­ so fired up for this. We are better than them, but we­ have stay strong mentally.

    From laboca123, on Fri 20 Mar 10:03PM

  16. Phil Vickery and Andrew Sheridan needs to do better­ than last week

    From alan, on Fri 20 Mar 7:34PM

  17. I have just posted a comment that England should beware­ the big Scots pack (as stated by Rowntree in the­ article to which I was invited to be the first to­ comment on), and given my fears that Shaw and Goode(on­ the bench) were not up to the challenge. This has been­ deemed Invalid!

    From TONY, on Fri 20 Mar 5:57PM
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