Scotland V Romania: Live Match Report

Scotland V Romania: Live Match Report

Rugby Park Stadium, InvercargillSaturday 10 September, kick-off 1pm (local) (2am BST) Full time: Scotland 34-24 Romania Scotland kick off their 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign at the foot of the South Island. Live report below and photos in our RWC gallery Scotland run on to the pitch in Invercargill to an enthusiastic welcome with many Saltires, blue and white faces and flashes of tartan amongst the crowd. Romania win the toss and kick off but it’s Scotland making the running in the first few minutes, with a strong break from Sean Lamont in the opening 20 seconds. A series of offsides from Romania give Scotland a penalty after two minutes, slotted easily between the uprights by Chris Paterson (3-0). Knock-on from John Barclay and it’s a scrum, with Romania winning the ball. But a massive boot upfield from Ruaridh Jackson sets up the Scots for a good run from Simon Danielli who passes to Mike Blair for his first World Cup try and Scotland’s first of this tournament, after seven minutes. An untimely topple of the ball from the tee causes the conversion from Paterson to be missed.(8-0) Blustery gusts look to be a problem as Romania’s penalty attempt a minute later, goes wide. A second opportunity, after 11 minutes, is nailed however by stand-off Danut Dumbrava (8-3). Good numbers from Scotland, a great run from Max Evans and a sure try opportunity comes to nothing as Danielli holds on to the pass just too long and runs into trouble. A great individual move from Joe Ansbro, weaving through the Romanian defence ends in try number two for Scotland, this time successfully converted by Paterson (15-3 after 20 minutes). It’s another penalty to Romania, after 22 minutes, the three points added again by Danut Dumbrava.(15-6). Some handling errors from Scotland and a collapsing maul see the play begining to be dictated by the Romanians as they work their way methodically upfield. A collapsing front row of the scrum leads to another penalty and Romania opt to kick; Danut Dumbrava’s attempt just hooks to the left, however. The power of Romania’s pack continues to cause problems for the Scots however it’s Scotland who benefit from the opposition’s errors with Paterson nailing another penalty after 37 minutes (18-6). Barclay is penalised for going over the top and Romania hammer a long kick to touch. As their pack drive forward the score which has been threating comes when loose-head prop Mihaiti Lazar crosses the line after 40 minutes. Danut Dumbrava’s attempt denies them the extras as the whistle goes for half time. Half time: Scotland  18-11 Romania The second half starts with Romania continuing to cause problems for Scotland and a handling error from Blair. As the action moves upfield, however, Romania are penalised for not rolling away and Paterson lines up another penalty; the attempt is picked up by the wind and wanders wide. Good lineout throw from Ford aides the Scots’ progress to the line as the blues pile on the pressure. Paterson’s offload goes awry and the Romanians clear to touch. Persistent infringements by Romania give Paterson another penalty attempt and a further three points for Scotland, after 51 minutes. (21-11). Double substitutions from both sides see Parks and Hines replace Gray and Jackson for Scotland. A penalty for Romania seconds later, for an error in the tackle on Marius Tincu, taken successfully by Ionut Dimofte (21-14 after 53 minutes). A great turnover opportunity for Scotland comes to nothing after Ansbro is charged with hands in the ruck. Minutes later a loose ball over the Scots’ line is hoovered up by Blair. Romania continue to attack Scotland’s line in waves, with numbers out wide gearing up for another try. In the event, their efforts end in another penalty, the points taken by Dimofte (21-17). With under 20 minutes to go, Jacobsen, Barclay and Blair are replaced by Dickinson, Rennie and Cusiter. The Romanian pack turn up the pressure again and push over the line – the drive across the line goes to the TMO. The try is given to Carpo (66m) and the conversion from Dimofte ses Romania take the lead 21-24 after 67 minutes. Lawson comes on for Ford and Romania replace the talismanic Tincu. Another penalty for Scotland, 10m out, sees Paterson level the scores 24-all with under ten minutes to go. Six minutes on the clock and a great run down the wing from Vernon, started off by Evans, is finished off by Danielli, scoring his seventh try for Scotland (75m). Paterson’s conversion wavers wide. (29-24). Great interplay amongst the backs sees Evans pass to Parks to Lawson, Paterson to Rennie, Parks to Danielli and it’s a second try for the number11, after 78 minutes. The conversion attempt from Paterson goes to the right of the posts but there’s now a ten-point margin with a minute to go (34-24). As Cusiter kicks the ball to touch the whistle goes and Scotland collect the win plus the bonus point. Full time: 34-24 Scotland v Romania, Rugby Park StadiumInvercargill, kick-off 1pm local (2am BST) 15 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Rugby) 14 Max Evans (Castres) 13 Joe Ansbro (London Irish) 12 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 11 Simon Danielli (Ulster) 10 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby) Vice-Captain 1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) Captain6 Kelly Brown (Saracens) 7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 8 Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks) Substitutes 16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) (on for Ford, 68m)17 Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks) (on for Jacobsen, 61m)18 Nathan Hines (Clermont Ferrand) (on for Gray, 52m)19 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) (on for Barclay, 62m)20 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) (on for Blair, 61m)21 Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues) (on for Jackson, 52m)22 Rory Lamont (Toulon) (unused) Tries: Blair (7m), Ansbro (20m), Danielli (75m and 78m)Conversion: Paterson (20m)Penalties: Paterson (2m, 37m, 51m, 70m) RomaniaMihaita Alexandru Lazar, Marius Tincu (c), Paulica Ion, Valentin Neculai Ursache, Cristian Constantin Petre, Mihai Macovei, Ovidiu Tonita, Daniel Carpo, Lucian Mihai Sirbu, Marin Danut Dumbrava, Madalin Vlad Lemnaru, Tiberius Ionut Dimofte, Csaba Minya Gal, Stefan Eugen Ciuntu, Iulian Dumitras Substitutes (all used) Bogdan Zebega Suman, Silviu Florea, Valentin Poparlan, Sandu Stelian Burcea, Florin Surugiu, Ionel Cazan, Florin Adrian Vlaicu Tries: Lazar (40m), Carpo (66m)Conversion: Dimofte (67m)Penalties: Dumbrava (11m, 22m) Dimofte (53m, 61m)Officials Referee: Dave Pearson (England)Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (NZ), Tim Hayes (Wales)

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