Scotland narrowly avoided an embarrassing opening game defeat as their World Cup campaign got off to a stuttering start.
First Half
Scotland started the game well with a good handling move before a Romanian offside gave Paterson his first kick at goal which he subsequently converted. Then a sublime run by Simon Danielli gave Mike Blair a chance to go over under the posts. Within a couple of minutes Romania had registered their first points after a second penalty was converted making it 8 “ 3.
Joe Ansboro then went over after eluding three tackles with Paterson's conversion making it 15 “ 3. More Scottish discipline gave away another penalty giving Romania another 3 points. Romanian pressure saw Scotland give away a scrum which Romania dominate and Scotland collapse.
A penalty two minutes from time gives Scotland a comfortable looking 18 “ 6 lead just before half-time. Romania respond immediately with a 10 metre line-out and drive, eventually getting the ball over the line.
Half-time 18 “ 11
The wind again proves difficult in the second-half with Chris Paterson somehow missing another penalty (is Mr Reliable broken?). Fortunately he doesn't miss the next one and gives Scotland a 21 “ 11 advantage. A series of penalties gets Romania back into the match at 21 “ 17.
Then it starts to go wrong. Romania score another try putting them ahead for the first time in the match. A Scotland penalty puts them back on an even scoreline but this is certainly not the kind of result the Scots will be expecting.
Fortunately Simon Danielli comes to their rescue. Two tries in two minutes for the wingman, despite Paterson missing both conversions gives Scotland a 34 “ 24 lead as Dave Pearson blows the final whistle.
Full-time 34 “ 24
In the end the scoreline doesn't really reflect the match, Scotland are lucky to come away with the win after Danielli spared Andy Robinson's teams blushes. All in all a worrying performance by Scotland with their pack being too easily dominated. This is clearly an area the team will need to improve on if they are to have any chance of making it past England or Argentina to get out of the group.
Man of the Match - Romania captain Marcus Tincu
Scotland:
Tries - Blair, Ansbro, Danelli (2)
Conversions - Paterson
Penalties - Paterson (4)
Romania:
Tries - Lazar, Carpo
Conversions - Dimofte
Penalties - Dumbrava (2), Dimofte (2)
