Scotland 36 Fiji 22

Scotland followed up their record and historic win over South Africa a week ago, by beating Fiji 36-22 at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.  Centre Andy Craig sealed the win for his country by scoring three tries in a somewhat disappointing game.

The match, although not particularly spiteful, still produced three yellow cards for illegal play.

The first was dished out to Fijian flanker Sisa Koyamaibole, who plays his club rugby for Toyota-Shokki in Japan, when he was sin-binned by South African referee Mark Lawrence for repeated infringements at the rucks and mauls.

Then four minutes from time Fijian captain and hooker Greg Smith, as well as Scottish flank Martin Leslie were given 10 minutes in the sin bin each for their part in a punch-up.

Although the game at times showed promise of developing into a highly entertaining affair, all too often play seemed to break down -- either through a combination of solid defence and poor handling, or some cynical tactics.

But the Scottish hat-trick hero, Craig, probably summed the game up best when trying to explain why Scotland disappointed.  "After (the 21-6 win over) South Africa it was always going to be difficult to get up to that level again," he said.

However, he expressed satisfaction of having scored his first hat-trick for his country.

Scotland had a somewhat fortunate 18-12 lead after a first half in which neither side truly stamped their authority on proceedings.

Craig opened the scoring the eighth minute for Scotland, with Brendan Laney adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead.  This was followed by two Joseph Narruhn penalties, in the 14th and 19th minutes, before two Laney penalties restored the seven point lead after 24 minutes.

Craig picked up his second try in the 29th minute, after some patient build-up work by Scotland, before the ball eventually went wide.

Narruhn added two more penalties to close the gap to 18-12 at the break.

Scotland were given a rude awakening in the 50th minute when Api Naevo went over, after the Fijians countered from a Scottish mistake.  At 18-17 a surprise seemed on the cards.

Then in the 57th minute followed one of those weird and rare occurrences.  Fiji was penalised for having 16 men on the field -- with a substitute having come on before the injured player, who was being treated on the field, had left the playing area.

The Laney penalty kick made it 21-17 to Scotland.

Laney scored a try four minutes later from a great move, but the try was only awarded after consultation with the video referee.  He missed the conversion, but the gap had by then opened to 26-17.

Craig scored his third try in the 73rd minute, when he came up in support after Moffat was caught just before the Fijian line.  Another failed conversion, but Scotland was looking comfortable at 31-17.

Norman Ligairi restored some pride with a late try, after substitute Weisale Serevi cut through the Scottish backs but lock Stuart Grimes added the final nail with a try four minutes into injury time for a 36-21 win.

Man of the match:  It has to go to the hat-trick hero Andy Craig.  He did what most good backline players are supposed to do, finish off promising moves.

Moment of the match:  Probably Norman Ligairi's try, even though it had no affect on the outcome of the match.  It was the try of the match, scored in typical Fijian fashion.

Villain(s) of the match:  The three yellow card offenders -- Sisa Koyamaibole, Greg Smith and Martin Leslie.  Repeated offences and punch-ups spoil the game for all.

The Teams:

Scotland:  1 Bruce Douglas, 2 Gordon Bulloch, 3 Tom Smith, 4 Stuart Grimes, 5 Jason White, 6 Budge Pountney, 7 Simon Taylor, 8 Jon Petrie, 9 Bryan Redpath (c), 10 Gregor Townsend, 11 Chris Paterson, 12 Brendan Laney, 13 Andrew Craig, 14 Nikki Walker, 15 Ben Hinshelwood
Reserves:  Stuart Moffatt, Nathan Hines, Gordon Ross, Graeme Beveridge, Martin Leslie, Steve Scott
Unused:  Dave Hilton

Fiji:  1 Billy Cavubati, 2 Greg Smith (c), 3 Isaia Rasila, 4 Apisai Naevo, 5 Simon Raiwalui, 6 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Alfi Mocelutu Vuivau, 8 Seta Tawake Naivaluwaqa, 9 Jacob Rauluni, 10 Joseph Narruhn, 11 Fero Lasagavibau, 12 Seremaia Bai, 13 Epeli Ruivadra, 14 Norman Ligairi, 15 Atonio Nariva
Reserves:  Waisale Serevi, Bill Gadolo, Emori Katalau, Kele Leawere, Viliame Satala
Unused:  Paula Biu, Isaac Mow

Referee:  Lawrence m.

Points Scorers:

Scotland
Tries:  Laney B.J. 1, Craig A. 3, Grimes S.B. 1
Conv:  Laney B.J. 1
Pen K.:  Laney B.J. 3

Fiji
Tries:  Ligairi N. 1, Naevo A. 1
Pen K.:  Narruhn J. 4