Scotland complete comfortable win over hapless Canadians
Saturday, 22 Nov 2008 17:04
Lamont got a deserved try late in the match against Canada
Scotland got their first win of the autumn international series with a comfortable 41-0 victory over Canada at a snowy Pittodrie.
Frank Hadden's men were in control from the very start and got the win they had been threatening to achieve against New Zealand and South Africa in previous weeks.
Scotland got off to a fast start when back-rower Simon Taylor burst through the Canadian defence. He was held up just short of the line but from the resulting ruck Nikki Walker was able to touch down in the corner.
Jon Barclay nearly added to Scotland's early try when he broke down the wing, and although he managed to get the ball down replays showed he had a foot in touch and he was denied what would have been an excellent solo try.
Scotland's dominance was eventually rewarded with a penalty by Phil Godman, who made it 8-0.
Just before the break Nic de Luca side-stepped past the Canadian defence and released centre partner Ben Cairns who scored the second try of the half to give the hosts a 15-0 lead at the break.
Scotland continued in the second half where they had left off in the first 40 minutes. This time it was Rory Lamont with the breakaway and Barclay again benefitted to score from short-range.
Canada then began to get a foothold in the game and kept Scotland at arms length for much of the half.
However, their defensive hold out could not last and 25 minutes after their third try Scotland registered their fourth.
Once more it came following a ruck close to the Canadian try line. On this occasion Alasdair Strokosch dived over a group of players and managed to land over the try line.
In the final ten minutes the floodgates opened as Walker cruised in for his second try of the afternoon before Lamont roared over for a deserved try three minutes before full time.