by John Preece
Murrayfield was to be the venue for Scotland’s only win of the 2011 RBS 6-Nations tournament, against an Italy squad, who only the week before, had beaten France in Rome.
Scotland started well, against a wall of noise from a typically fervent home crowd, helped along by a large contingent of away support for Italy, with a penalty from Chris Paterson after 5 minutes, following a break-down infringement. Italy came back strongly from the re-start and following a missed penalty from Bergamasco, put Andrea Masi through for a touch-down after 12 minutes, Bergamasco hitting the post with the conversion attempt.
Scotland had another period of sustained attacking on the Italian try line, falling just short on several occasions, with Simon Danielli coming closest. The Italian defence held strong, however, but gave away another penalty, which Paterson duly slotted home.
Mirco Bergamasco then took Italy two points clear, with a successful kick from a penalty awarded for foul play from Scotland at a ruck in their 22. With 10 minutes to go to half time, Scotland again dominated possession, but weren’t able to convert ‘pressure into points’.
Half-time score Scotland 6, Italy 8.
The second half started as had the first, Scotland attacking from the off, putting Sean Lamont away from a fly-hack through, with only hooker Ghiraldini’s amazing turn of pace in beating Lamont to the ball, preventing a score. Just reward was duly granted to the Scots, when on the 47th minute, Nathan Hines put Nick de Luca over in the corner for his first International try. Eight minutes later, Nikki Walker (pictured), forced his way over, through and under the Italian defenders from 20 metres out to score the second try for the home side. Paterson converted this time around to give Scotland a 10 point margin.
This seemed to give a wee boost of confidence to the Scots and they fairly easily saw off a period of Italian pressure in the last quarter, althouh Chris Paterson had to make a repeat of last weeks try-saving tackle near the line, to close the game out with Paterson scoring another penalty to leave a final score at Scotland 21 – Italy 8.
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