![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/65000/images/_68438_dawson.jpg)
![image: [ England's pressure in the scrummage told on Scotland in the second half ]](/olmedia/65000/images/_68438_pen300.jpg)
The first-half was a dour affair. The sides went in to the break at 6-6 and neither side really looked like scoring. The second-half was a revelation for England and they scored four tries to seal the game 20-34.
In the first half Scotland produced the bulk of the attacking rugby with no real result. Craig Chalmers squandered an early chance to edge the Scots ahead, hooking a second-minute penalty attempt.
Paul Grayson put England ahead in the 11th minute with a 40-yard penalty when Scotland full back Derrick Lee was penalised for hanging on to the ball.
Four minutes later Chalmers brought the Scots level with a penalty from 30 yards.
Grayson wisely landed a drop goal in the 27th minute to put England back in front but, when Darren Garforth was penalised in front of England's posts in the 36th minute, Chalmers again equalised with a simple kick.
Scotland attempted to use every scrap of possession they received with scrum half Gary Armstrong working busily to get his backs moving.
England came to life with a couple of inspirational bursts from centre Jeremy Guscott but never threatened that elusive try.
Dramatic change
The second half started better for England. They had four consecutive scrums close to the Scottish line but they either wheeled or collapsed.
The referee decided that the Scotland pack deliberately collapsed the scrum in the 48th minute and awarded a penalty try to England.
Grayson converted from in front of the posts and England led 13-6.
England scored two tries at the start of the last quarter.
In the 61st minute scrum-half Matt Dawson initiated a move that involved Grayson and Greenwood. Dawson took the final pass to score between the posts.
And when Alan Tait dropped a difficult pass deep inside his half, Jeremy Guscott hacked the ball on. Austin Healey gave the ball a couple more nudges and touched.
Grayson scored his third conversion. Only minutes later he straigtened his angle of running just outside the Scottish 22-metre line, threw two side-steps and powered over the line.
Despite the defeat, the best move of the game came from Scotland. Angus Roxburgh received the ball in his own half, made a break and after some intelligent passing released Tony Stanger to score in the corner.
Just before the end of the game, Roxburgh again burst through a tackle and fed winger Shaun Longstaff who restored some pride to the Scots.
Dragons triumph in Dublin
(21 Mar 98 | Sport)
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