He snatched three tries for Scotland as they ran out rousing winners against Ireland in the Bank of Scotland Corporate Test match at Murrayfield this afternoon. But they had to survive a strong Irish comeback in the second half before the Glasgow centre secured victory with his third try. Deservedly, he was named man of the match.
Scotland dominated the first half. From the start their intent was obvious. After little more than a minute Chris Paterson struck a penalty into the left corner, and from the lineout there a series of hammering rucks and maul rumbled across the 22 like advancing thunder until Allister Hogg barged over in a melee. Paterson converted.
In what was to be a rare venture into Scottish territory Paddy Wallace kicked a penalty goal for Ireland. Back came the Scots with another close-range penalty lineout and the follow-up percussion. But that assault was thwarted when Geordan Murphy rose to gather a Paterson crosskick that was intended for the Lamont brothers.
Rory Lamont responded by running back an Irish kick to send Ross Ford scampering through deep into opposition territory. That came to naught. But the Scots’ aggressive forward game was soon rewarded again when they produced the ball for Andrew Henderson to touch down beside a post. Paterson again converted – 14-3 for Scotland after 28 minutes.
Murphy interrupted the flow by kicking Ireland’s second penalty goal. But just before half-time the home pack worked up a third try, this one by Euan Murray. It was his second try in successive internationals, following up his score against France in Paris in March. Paterson missed the conversion.
Time was still left for Fergus Thomson to join the fray for his first cap as a blood replacement before Scotland still went into the interval with a lead at 19-6. It was satisfying to all the Scots in the crowd of 25,127.
No sooner had the second started than Thomson almost scored his first international try. Supporting a stirring break by Mike Blair, the substitute hooker was denied inches short of the line. But Scotland’s fourth try was not long denied as Henderson dived over in the right corner for his second score of the game only six minutes in to the second half.
Ireland, down 6-24, were not out of the contest, though. Two tries in seven minutes boosted them back into it at 18-24. Isaac Boss pounced from close range, and Andrew Trimble finished off a crossfield sweep.
Wallace converted only the first of those. But when he kicked his second penalty goal the Scots’ lead was down to just three points at 24-21.
Nathan Hines took over as Scotland’s captain when Jason White was replaced after 64 minutes, and Irish hopes were raised more when Ronan O’Gara substituted for Wallace at stand-off, especially when he struck a typically precise kick into right corner. But a chip through to the right corner by Rory Lamont procured a five-metre scrum for Scotland. Nothing came directly from that, but the Scots were in position for their fifth try. Opting for a scrum instead of a free kick, they released Henderson in for his third try of the match.
Dan Parks converted for 31-21, which was to be a valuable cushion as the Scots finished with 14 men. Chris Cusiter was helped off with an injury, and no subs were left on the bench.