Scotland overwhelm Barbarians

EDINBURGH - Scotland maintained their unbeaten 2006 run at Murrayfield this morning with a 66-19 victory over a Barbarians rugby side who had few answers to the Scots' all-round game.

Scotland, who defeated both France and England at home in the Six Nations championship this year, play two tests against South Africa next month.

The Scots gained early points through a Chris Paterson penalty goal before conceding a try to their hosts, after flanker Kieron Dawson had charged down Mike Blair's scrum clearance kick. Chris Malone added the conversion.

The Scotland halfback quickly atoned with a try made by successive surges from skipper Jason White and number eight Ally Hogg and then it was the turn of centre Andy Henderson to add to the Scots tries with a touchdown off a handling error by the Barbarians. Paterson converted both scores.

The Barbarians finally showed their attacking prowess with fingertip handling to give Sale's Steve Hanley a try in the corner. But it was Scotland who had the final say in the first half scoring as Paterson converted his own try after outsprinting the visitors' fragmented defence.

Four minutes into the second half Marcus Di Rollo raced in under the posts to start a try glut that continued with a more traditional forward score credited to replacement hooker Doug Hall. Then when replacement Donnie Macfadyen broke clear fellow sub Sam Pinder celebrated his first appearance in a Scotland jersey with a try.

A try from replacement Tony Marsh briefly checked the Scots deluge but touchdowns from Paterson (2) and Henderson and Paterson's unfailing goal kicking gave Scotland a substantial win.

Coach Frank Hadden would have been pleased by the display of newcomer Sam Pinder at halfback when he came on as a replacement, and flanker Kelly Brown who brough this sevens skills to bear upon the game.

TEAMS:

Scotland:

15-Hugo Southwell (22-Simon Webster 40); 14-Chris Paterson, 13-Marcus Di Rollo (9-Mike Blair 61), 12-Andy Henderson, 11-Sean Lamont; 10-Dan Parks (21-Gordon Ross 55), 9-Mike Blair (20-Sam Pinder 55); 8-Allister Hogg, 7-Kelly Brown, 6-Jason White (captain)(19-Donnie Macfadyen 40), 5-Scott Murray (18-Scott MacLeod 47), 4-Alastair Kellock, 3-Craig Smith, 2-Scott Lawson (16-Doug Hall 40), 1-Gavin Kerr (17-Bruce Douglas 40).

Barbarians:

15-Steve Hanley (22-Ugo Monye 45); 14-Leon Lloyd, 13-Will Greenwood (captain) (23-Tony Marsh 60), 12-Sonny Parker (21-Kevin Maggs 60), 11-Lee Robinson; 10-Chris Malone, 9-Jason Spice (20-Jason Rauluni 37); 8-Daniel Browne, 7-Jason Forster (19-Bob Skinstad 48), 6-Kieron Dawson, 5-Hottie Louw, 4-James Hamilton, 3-John Davies, 2-Pieter Dixon, 1-Kevin Tkachuk (17-Olivier Azam 56).

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

- REUTERS