Post by Busby Boy on Mar 10, 2007 18:35:14 GMT
Ireland claimed a second successive Triple Crown but were made to battle every inch of the way before edging out Scotland 19-18 at Murrayfield.
This was a very different Scotland side from the one humiliated by Italy on this ground two weeks ago, but it was also a much poorer Ireland display after their record victory over England in round three.
Scotland led by five points with 15 minutes left before Ireland finally upped their intensity and forced two late penalties, Ronan O'Gara knocking over the crucial kicks to edge the visitors ahead.
Ireland just about deserved to win on the basis of their dominance of possession and territory, but the Scots tackled heroically, disrupted Ireland's much-vaunted back line and almost nicked the win thanks to the rock-solid boot of Chris Paterson - his six penalties took his perfect streak in the Six Nations to 20.
The early signs were ominous for Scotland as Paul O'Connell burst through the centre of their defence, earning an early penalty for O'Gara.
Moments later it was Gordon D'Arcy's turn (pictured) to streak up the gut of the hosts' defence, although this time O'Gara missed a straight shot at goal.
Ireland were rampant in the first quarter and would have had a try out wide only for Girvan Dempsey to knock on, and it was a shock to see Scotland level on the scoreboard on 15 minutes, Paterson knocking over a penalty from the first foray into Irish territory.
Scotland could even have edged ahead on 24 minutes as their confidence slowly swelled against a mis-firing Irish side that was haunted by knock-ons and forward passes throughout the 80 minutes.
Sean Lamont made the initial break and Paterson looked set to score only for Denis Hickie to come up with the try-saving tackle.
When the game's only try did arrive after 29 minutes it came from an error - or perhaps, more generously, a moment of opportunism.
O'Gara was on Dan Parks like a green flash as the stand-off took the pass from a scrum on halfway, forcing the charge down, racing into undefended space and exchanging passes with D'Arcy before scoring beneath the sticks.
That could have been the signal for Scotland to crumble - as they had in similar circumstances against Italy - but they hit back immediately, winning the re-start, forcing a five-metre scrum and then a penalty, which Paterson duly knocked over.
In the closing stages of the half both teams were penalised in quick succession for not rolling away to give Ireland a 13-9 lead at the break.
Ireland started the second half in similar fashion to the first and a brilliant break from skipper Brian O'Driscoll almost set up a try for Hickie in the corner.
When second row Nathan Hines was sin-binned for deliberately slowing quick ball, Scotland looked in big trouble, but still the Irish attack could not click into gear.
In fact Scotland cut the deficit during Hines' absence and edged ahead on the hour mark when Ireland were pinged for offside in front of their own posts.
When O'Gara missed touch with a penalty from inside his own 22 and Paterson was immediately handed the chance to stretch the lead to five points, a huge upset looked on the cards.
But to their credit, Ireland refused to panic and relentlessly turned the screw in the final 15 minutes.
Their efforts earned three penalties inside the Scotland half as the defence became increasingly desperate - and illegal.
O'Gara knocked over two out of three and the Triple Crown was secured - although few would have predicted it would be by the narrowest of margins.
Source: Sky Sports
-
;D
This was a very different Scotland side from the one humiliated by Italy on this ground two weeks ago, but it was also a much poorer Ireland display after their record victory over England in round three.
Scotland led by five points with 15 minutes left before Ireland finally upped their intensity and forced two late penalties, Ronan O'Gara knocking over the crucial kicks to edge the visitors ahead.
Ireland just about deserved to win on the basis of their dominance of possession and territory, but the Scots tackled heroically, disrupted Ireland's much-vaunted back line and almost nicked the win thanks to the rock-solid boot of Chris Paterson - his six penalties took his perfect streak in the Six Nations to 20.
The early signs were ominous for Scotland as Paul O'Connell burst through the centre of their defence, earning an early penalty for O'Gara.
Moments later it was Gordon D'Arcy's turn (pictured) to streak up the gut of the hosts' defence, although this time O'Gara missed a straight shot at goal.
Ireland were rampant in the first quarter and would have had a try out wide only for Girvan Dempsey to knock on, and it was a shock to see Scotland level on the scoreboard on 15 minutes, Paterson knocking over a penalty from the first foray into Irish territory.
Scotland could even have edged ahead on 24 minutes as their confidence slowly swelled against a mis-firing Irish side that was haunted by knock-ons and forward passes throughout the 80 minutes.
Sean Lamont made the initial break and Paterson looked set to score only for Denis Hickie to come up with the try-saving tackle.
When the game's only try did arrive after 29 minutes it came from an error - or perhaps, more generously, a moment of opportunism.
O'Gara was on Dan Parks like a green flash as the stand-off took the pass from a scrum on halfway, forcing the charge down, racing into undefended space and exchanging passes with D'Arcy before scoring beneath the sticks.
That could have been the signal for Scotland to crumble - as they had in similar circumstances against Italy - but they hit back immediately, winning the re-start, forcing a five-metre scrum and then a penalty, which Paterson duly knocked over.
In the closing stages of the half both teams were penalised in quick succession for not rolling away to give Ireland a 13-9 lead at the break.
Ireland started the second half in similar fashion to the first and a brilliant break from skipper Brian O'Driscoll almost set up a try for Hickie in the corner.
When second row Nathan Hines was sin-binned for deliberately slowing quick ball, Scotland looked in big trouble, but still the Irish attack could not click into gear.
In fact Scotland cut the deficit during Hines' absence and edged ahead on the hour mark when Ireland were pinged for offside in front of their own posts.
When O'Gara missed touch with a penalty from inside his own 22 and Paterson was immediately handed the chance to stretch the lead to five points, a huge upset looked on the cards.
But to their credit, Ireland refused to panic and relentlessly turned the screw in the final 15 minutes.
Their efforts earned three penalties inside the Scotland half as the defence became increasingly desperate - and illegal.
O'Gara knocked over two out of three and the Triple Crown was secured - although few would have predicted it would be by the narrowest of margins.
Source: Sky Sports
-
;D
