Scotland, Oct 1: After a setback in the third league match against New Zealand, Scotland Rugby team regained its name in the Rugby World Cup 2007. With this hard earned victory the Scottish team enters into the quarter final round of the world cup. Frank Hadden’s men survived the scare and a good few others to defeat Italy, the score card was horribly close thing, and anxiety prevailed up to the last moment. Some crucial flaws from the Italian side paved the way for the Scottish team’s victory.
The game was tight with plenty of kicking from both sides but in the end Scottish team gained the edge amidst heavy rain in St Etienne. In the initial league matches against Portugal and Romania the Scottish team won with a clean margin. But against the New Zealand side they failed to continue their winning streak as they gave way to a crumbling defeat.
With the rain interrupting the smooth conduct of the match, the wet field led to the flaws from both the sides. Most of the rugby on show came from the Italians who scored the only try of the night and were far more willing to risk moving the wet ball. The Scottish Coach won’t care about aesthetics and this victory was built on the backs of two kickers. Parks led the team into attacking areas and Chris Paterson just doesn’t miss when given the opportunity. He was given six in all and, insatiable, he took every one.
In the match against Italy the Scotland team give away 21 points in the initial stage of the match, but this time they were in no mood to repeat that generosity. Instead they got off to a flying start with two penalties within the opening five minutes, the perfect way to calm the nerves. In the final hour of the match, when the Italian team began to fought back the Scots team took defence as their rescue. Bortolussi kicked two penalties in quick succession; the first after Nathan Hines was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
With the clock ticking and Scotland leading 18-16, Italy full-back David Bortolussi has the chance to win the game for his team. His long-range effort drifts wide and it favours the Scotland team. This crucial victory will let the Scottish team helped in getting the last minute berth in the quarter final round. They have to improvise their performance so as to overcome the trouble against Argentina or France in the next match to come.