Scotland 18-21 Ireland
Ireland got their Six Nations campaign back on track as they survived a late onslaught from Scotland to win 18-21 at Murrayfield.
First Half
Ireland were the better side in the opening stages of the match and it took only 5 minutes for them to score their first points of the game when Jamie Heaslip scored a try after Ronan O'Gara's long kick was taken into touch by Chris Paterson resulting in a scrum to the Irish 5 metres from the Scottish try-line. (Scotland 0-5 Ireland) Ronan O'Gara converted the try. (Scotland 0-7 Ireland)
The poor discipline shown by Ireland in their Six Nations defeat to France remained with them at Murrayfield and after 15 minutes they were made to pay when Chris Paterson scored Scotland's first of many penalties. (Scotland 3-7 Ireland)
Scotland showed signs of improvement as the game progressed and in the 18th minute the ever reliable Chris Paterson scored his second penalty kick of the match. (Scotland 6-7 Ireland)
Just before the half hour mark though, Ireland scored their second try of the afternoon through Eoin Reddan. Sean Lamont fumbled the ball from a lineout inside Scotland's 22 and Ireland earned themselves a 5 yard scrum and ultimately led to the Irish number 9 scoring the try. (Scotland 6-12 Ireland) Ronan O'Gara converted the try. (Scotland 6-14 Ireland)
Only minutes later, Scotland were given the chance to get back into the game when Rory Best conceded a penalty after he failed to release the ball after being tackled. Chris Paterson scored the penalty. (Scotland 9-14 Ireland)
Ireland had one last chance to add to their 14 first half points when they were awarded a penalty after Scot Allan Jacobsen failed to roll away after being tackled. However the penalty kick was missed by Ronan O'Gara and at half time the score remained Scotland 9-14 Ireland.
Second Half
Scotland started the second half poorly and their lack of discipline in the scrums came back to haunt them when Allan Jacobsen, after being cautioned in an earlier scrum, was sin binned for pulling.
The Irish were keen to take advantage of this but Scotland's defence held firm and the game was end to end for a small period but eventually the Irish managed to capitalise on their extra man advantage when Ronan O'Gara scored a try after 54 minutes. The number 10 showed great strength to hand off one challenge and he earned himself an easier conversion when he shoved off Chris Paterson inside the Scottish try zone to touch down under the posts. (Scotland 9-19 Ireland) Ronan O'Gara converted the try. (Scotland 9-21 Ireland)
Scotland rarely attacked the Irish try line but Ireland's lack of discipline again helped the Scots back into the game and after 58 minutes Chris Paterson scored his 4th penalty kick of the match. (Scotland 12-21 Ireland)
With the game heading into the last quarter, the home side took advantage of every Irish error and when Donncha O'Callaghan held onto the ball in a ruck and gave Scotland another penalty which Dan Parks successfully kicked from 46 metres. (Scotland 15-21 Ireland)
Scotland were roared on by their crowd in the final 10 minutes of the match and after good work from Max Evans and Sean Lamont they gained ground on Ireland and eventually earned a penalty advantage. Dan Parks found himself on Ireland's 22 metre line and knowing his side had the advantage he scored a drop goal making for a tense finish. (Scotland 18-21 Ireland)
The final 5 minutes of the match saw Ireland having to defend successive attacks from the Scots however they held on and won what was in the end a tight match at Murrayfield.
Full Time - Scotland 18-21 Ireland
Scotland's inability to score tried was again evident and they now face a vital match against Italy as they look to avoid winning the wooden spoon.
Ireland will be pleased to have won but coach Declan Kidney will still be concerned with his side's disciplinary issues.
Man of the Match- Ronan O'Gara (Ireland)
Scotland:
Tries: None
Conversions: None
Penalties: Chris Paterson (4), Dan Parks (1)
Drop Goals: Dan Parks (1)
Ireland:
Tries: Jamie Heaslip (1), Eoin Reddan (1) and Ronan O'Gara (1)
Conversions: Ronan O'Gara (3)
Penalty Goals: None
Drop Goals: None
