Scotland 20-16 France(新聞) - 橄欖球

Two-try hero Sean Lamont inspired Scotland to a famous and surprise victory
over pre-tournament favourites France in their opening match of the RBS 6
Nations Championship at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Frank Hadden's decision to select Mike Blair over Chris Cusiter at scrum-half
provided the catalyst to their first triumph over their opponents since 1999
but it was Lamont's scores in both halves and Chris Paterson's 10 points
which destroyed the under-par French.

The Scots, led by 50-cap winning skipper Jason White, believed they could
shock the traditionally slow starters especially after giving them a scare on
the opening day of the last campaign in Paris.

They sent out an early warning to the pre-tournament favourites early on but
White spilled the ball from a crunching tackle and Simon Taylor knocked the
ball on, just short of the line.

But last season's runners-up did not heed those signs and Scotland forced
themselves ahead with their first try in the 11th minute with Blair spreading
play and Lamont crashing over the line.

Chris Paterson converted before his trusty right-foot sent over a 22nd-minute
penalty from 35 metres after the French had been penalised for having their
hands on the deck.

The talented Edinburgh wing then made it 13-0 with another penalty after he
had been taken out illegally by Cedric Heymans following another great piece
of work from the
impressive Blair.

Jean-Baptiste Elissalde gave the visitors some hope to take into the dressing
room at the break by reducing the scoreline to 10 points with a penalty.

But it quickly became a state of emergency for the French just seven minutes
after the interval.

The Scottish pack pushed their opponents back towards the try line and Lamont
forced the ball down for another score which Paterson again converted.

But that sparked an angry French riposte with Julien Bonnaire going over in
the corner but Elissalde eased the pressure on the home nation as his kick,
from tight to the touchline, hit the upright.

Blair was forced off in the 56th minute with a bleeding nose and the
introduction of Cusiter coincided with a change of luck for Scotland with
Paterson missing the easiest of his kicks.

Elissalde punished his rare slip moments later by sending a long-range
penalty through the posts to set up an anxious finale.

Sebastien Bruno added to the tension inside Murrayfield by forcing the ball
over the line in the corner, with three minutes remaining, but Elissalde
pulled his kick wide to bring a united sigh of relief.

來源: http://www.rbs6nations.com/report_sco_v_fra_6nations.htm


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