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Scotland ruin Wilko's big day
08/03/2008 19:29 - (SA)
Edinburgh - Jonny Wilkinson became the highest points scorer in Test rugby but was left with nothing to celebrate as Scotland shattered England's Six Nations hopes with a 15-9 win at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Wilkinson's three penalties took the star flyhalf's points haul in international rugby to 1 099, nine clear of the previous best mark set by Neil Jenkins of Wales.
But it was the boot of Chris Patterson and the rugged determination of a ferocious Scots pack that decided the outcome of what was a typically attritional Calcutta Cup match which gave the Scots only their third win in their last 19 meetings with England.
Patterson contributed 12 of Scotland's points with four penalties from four attempts, taking his streak of successful kicks in international rugby to an astonishing 30. He has not missed since August 2007.
It was far from pretty but for the first time in this year's tournament, Scotland, and their forwards in particular, performed to their potential.
Frank Hadden's men may yet end up with the wooden spoon should they go down to defeat by Italy in Rome next week but victory over the old enemy should be enough to ensure the head coach's position is secure for another season at least.
Briefest of visits to a London nightclub
England's preparations for the 115th Calcutta Cup match had been overshadowed by the row over head coach Brian Ashton's decision to drop Danny Cipriani as punishment for the briefest of visits to a London nightclub 48 hours before the match.
Harsh was the verdict of most pundits, although a little part of Cipriani may have been relieved at being spared the ordeal of making his first international start on a mudbath of a pitch in a wind custom-built to test the nerve of fullbacks.
In Cipriani's absence, Iain Balshaw was recalled and, predictably, immediately had his confidence put to the test by a barrage of early high balls from the boot of Chris Patterson.
The Gloucester back came through that exam unscathed before being involved in a stomach-churning collision with Rory Lamont mid-way through the opening period.
As he slithered along the turf with the ball in his hands, Balshaw's knee caught the Scotland wing flush on the jaw and the concussed Lamont needed six minutes of treatment before he was stretchered off.
By that stage, Paterson's reliable boot had put the Scots three points ahead courtesy of a ninth minute penalty.
Switched to the wing
But the loss of Lamont forced head coach Frank Hadden, who had gambled on the match being decided by the battle of the packs and named only one recognised back on his bench, to reshuffle his back-line, Dan Parks coming on at flyhalf with Paterson switching to the wing.
Six minutes later, Scotland were penalised at the scrum and Wilkinson slotted over with customary efficiency to go past Jenkins record.
Paterson quickly re-established the home side's lead however and, after Wilkinson failed to reach the target with a long-range penalty attempt, slotted over his third kick of the afternoon on the stroke of half-time to make it 9-3 at the break.
Paterson extended the lead within a minute of the restart after Toby Flood conceded an unnecessary penalty for holding on right under the posts and the Scots were left firmly in the driving seat after Jamie Noon pole-axed Hugo Southwell with a dangerously late body check as the Scots fullback attempted to launch a counter-attack.
Parks took over kicking duties for that penalty and his strike from ten yards inside the English half just carried over.
Two penalties in quick succession from Wilkinson got England back into the match with half an hour left to play.
But the Scots regrouped and neither side seriously threatened to add to their points score and England's miserable afternoon was summed up by the sight of Wilkinson and captain Phil Vickery trudging off with ten minutes still to play.
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Rugby
