Scotland smash the Barbarians

Hadden's heroes repel star-studded invaders

Scotland limbered up for their two-Test tour of South Africa with an impressive 66-19 victory over the Barbarians at Murrayfield on Wednesday evening, topping England's efforts against the same opponents by a full 20 points.

Edinburgh Gunners star Chris Paterson emerged as the hero of the nine-try romp, claiming a personal haul of 31 points.

The Scots made a rousing start, opting to play a mixed early game as they combined handling sequences with kicks into space before hooker Scott Lawson set up the first clear-cut scoring chance with a midfield break.

The move collapsed -- but they picked up an easy three points via the boot of Paterson as the Barbarians defence crept offside and the home winger chipped over the penalty from point-blank range.

There was an immediate scare for Scotland as Ireland flank Kieran Dawson snapped up an opportunist touchdown.

He broke from the scrum swiftly to charge down a Mike Blair clearance and was equally quick to react to pounce for the score in the corner.  Chris Malone made the wide-angled conversion look simple.

But Blair made instant amends at the other end just three minutes later -- skipper Jason White offloaded to Ally Hogg, whose lobbed short pass was snatched by Blair at the second attempt who just had to go over the line.

Paterson added the extras to restore Scotland's slender advantage -- and they wasted no time in grabbing their second try.

Barbarians skipper Will Greenwood, playing his last competitive game, spilled the ball in his own danger zone, leaving Andy Henderson with a formality of a task to scoop it up and cruise over.  Paterson again converted.

The visitors were spurred into more attacking action of their own and Greenwood's link work paved the way for full-back Steve Hanley to sneak through for their second counter.

The frantic end-to-end action continued as Paterson bagged a brilliant solo touchdown, latching on to a pass from Blair and outstripping Hanley and Leon Lloyd to dash to glory from 50 metres.  Then for good measure, he chipped over the conversion.

The Baa-baas stepped up the pace in the build-up to the break but Glasgow's Canadian star Kevin Tkachuk let the ball slip from his grasp just before he reached the target.

Scotland made a spate of changes at the restart, with skipper Jason White among those being given a breather.

The armband was handed to Paterson, whose first act of the half was to turn Marcus Di Rollo's try into a seven pointer.

And any prospect of a meaningful Barbarians fightback was snuffed out when substitute hooker Dougie Hall was driven over by his pack-mates for score number five which Paterson converted from wide on the right.

Replacement scrum-half Sam Pinder then marked his maiden appearance in a Scotland jersey with a runaway try following a surge by Glasgow colleague Donnie Macfadyen with Paterson maintaining his 100 percent kicking record.

The Barbarians refused to buckle completely and France centre Tony Marsh powered over for their third touchdown, converted by Malone.

Scotland replied positively to notch the half-century through Blair, who had returned to the fray on the wing as a rolling sub.  Paterson banged over his seventh conversion.

He was back on target after it became Henderson's turn to complete his double with five minutes left.

And the stage was clear for Paterson to round off a fantastic performance with his second score -- and his ninth conversion to take his points haul past the 30-mark.

The scorers:

For Scotland:
Tries:  Blair 2, Henderson 2, Paterson 2, Di Rollo, Hall, Pinder
Cons:  Paterson 9
Pen:  Paterson

For the Barbarians:
Tries:  Hanley, Dawson, Marsh
Cons:  Malone 2

The teams:

Scotland:  15 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Gunners), 14 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Gunners), 13 Marcus Di Rollo (Edinburgh Gunners), 12 Andy Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), 11 Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints), 10 Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), 9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh Gunners), 8 A Hogg (Edinburgh Gunners), 7 Kelly Brown (Border Reivers), 6 Jason White (Sale Sharks, capt), 5 Scott Murray (Edinburgh Gunners), 4 Alasdair Kellock (Edinburgh Gunners), 3 Craig Smith (Edinburgh Gunners), 2 Scott Lawson (Glasgow Warriors), 1 Gavin Kerr (Leeds Tykes).
Replacements:  16 Dougie Hall (Edinburgh Gunners), 17 Bruce Douglas (Border Reivers), 18 Scott MacLeod (Border Reivers), 19 Donald Macfadyen (Glasgow Warriors), 20 Sam Pinder (Glasgow Warriors), 21 Gordon Ross (Leeds Tykes), 22 Simon Webster (Edinburgh Gunners).

Barbarians:  15 Steve Hanley (Sale Sharks & England), 14 Leon Lloyd (Leicester Tigers & England), 13 Will Greenwood (Harlequins, England & British Isles, capt), 12 Sonny Parker (Ospreys & Wales), 11 Lee Robinson (Bristol), 10 Chris Malone (Bath), 9 Jason Spice (Ospreys), 8 Dan Browne (Northampton Saints), 7 Jason Forster (Dragons & Wales), 6 Kieron Dawson (London Irish & Ireland), 5 Hottie Louw (Llanelli Scarlets & South Africa), 4 James Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), 3 John Davies (Llanelli Scarlets & Wales), 2 Pieter Dixon (Bath), 1 Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors & Canada).
Replacements:  16 Olivier Azam (Gloucester & France), 17 Simon Miall (Harlequins), 18 Darren Crompton (Bristol), 19 Bobby Skinstad (Richmond & South Africa), 20 Jake Rauluni (Bristol & Fiji), 21 Kevin Maggs (Ulster & Ireland), 22 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)

Referee:  Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges:  Dave Pearson, Robin Goodliffe (both England)
Television match official:  Rob Debney (England)

Barbarians fall at Twickenham

England record a morale-boosting win

England kicked off their end-of-season activities with a fine 46-19 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday, recovering from a very shaky start to run six tries past the stud-studded invitational side.

Bath fly-half Olly Barkley inspired the winning send-off as the world champions prepare to face Australia in Sydney and Melbourne next month.

England head south on Sunday night, and coach Andy Robinson will be relieved to have emerged from the annual Gartmore Challenge match at Twickenham without any major injury problems and a first win over the Baa-baas since 2002.

Barkley scored 21 points, including a try, and there were also touchdowns for James Simpson-Daniel (2), James Forrester, prop David Barnes and his fellow substitute Delon Armitage.

The Baa-baas, whose starting line-up boasted more than 600 Test caps, contributed to the entertainment with tries from fullback Matt Burke, wing Bruce Reihana and flank Olivier Magne.

At times though, the game resembled little more than a practice match, and it was difficult to imagine Robinson and his new-look coaching team of Brian Ashton, John Wells and Mike Ford learning a great deal.

Barkley, Simpson-Daniel and skipper Pat Sanderson were the pick of an efficient, if unspectacular England side, and Australia will provide an infinitely tougher challenge at Sydney's Telstra Stadium on June 11, then Melbourne six days later.

England made a bright start, off-loading well in contact before Barkley kicked them ahead through a 38-metre penalty after opposite number Carlos Spencer was denied an interception try for offside.

It was a harsh call by Irish referee Donal Courtney -- and Spencer's wry grin suggested he felt England had fortuitously escaped -- before Barkley doubled the lead with a second penalty.

Unlike England, the Baa-baas sacrificed a penalty chance in favour of an attacking scrum, and such adventure almost reaped its reward when Joe Roff was sent clear, but opposite number Simpson-Daniel produced a superb try-saving tackle.

England's defensive organisation came under threat from the Baa-baas' dazzling runners, and centre Mathew Tait emulated Simpson-Daniel's heroics when he hauled down his Newcastle colleague Burke and prevented a certain score.

Predictably, England proved more structured and deliberate in attack than their opponents, but an opening quarter high on endeavour finished try-less.

The Baa-baas looked poised to score after slick approach work created a two-man overlap, yet Reihana's pass was intercepted by Simpson-Daniel, who raced 80 metres unopposed for a gift try.

Barkley's conversion made it 13-0, although any hint of English complacency was immediately removed when Tait fumbled in defence and Magne capitalised by strolling over for his team's opening try, converted by Burke.

There was little pattern to the game, which suited the Barbarians far more than England, and Sanderson saw his team fall behind through a score that will have concerned defence coach Ford.

England were blown open in midfield by flanker Toutai Kefu's charge, leaving Burke with a simple task of sending Reihana sprinting over, with the conversion completing the wiping out a 13-point deficit during six damaging minutes.

England needed to regroup, yet the Barbarians were in mood to relent, and a wonderfully ghosting Spencer run had the hosts in all sorts of trouble.  Lock Alex Brown snuffed out the danger by dragging Spencer down.

The Baa-baas had their opponents on the ropes, but the game's unpredictable nature meant another expected turn as Tait broke out of defence, scrum-half Peter Richards kept the move going and Simpson-Daniel stepped neatly inside two attempted tackles for his second try to edge England 18-14 ahead at half-time.

Robinson resisted any temptation to make half-time changes, and a promising England opening almost produced tries for Simpson-Daniel and Balshaw, with Balshaw called back following a forward pass from Tait.

Barbarians coach Bob Dwyer though, began utilising his replacements' bench, with scrum-half Justin Marshall and prop Peter Bracken both given run-outs, and England fell behind again on 53 minutes.

A bullocking run by Cardiff Blues number eight Xavier Rush left England's defence at sixes and sevens, and quickly recycled possession saw Burke cross wide out.

Although the Australian could not convert, the Baa-baas led 19-18, which was a cue for Robinson to make four switches, taking off centre Mike Catt, prop Tim Payne, hooker Lee Mears and lock James Hudson and sending on Stuart Abbott, Barnes, David Paice and Kieran Roche.

Barkley then gathered Spencer's speculative kick out of defence, racing 30 metres for a try which he converted, making it 25-19, and England ran pulled away during the closing quarter, scoring 21 further unanswered points to give them a record winning margin for the fixture.

The scorers:

For England:
Tries:  Simpson-Daniel 2, Barkley, Forrester, Barnes, Armitage
Cons:  Barkley 5
Pens:  Barkley 2

For the Barbarians:
Tries:  Magne, Reihana, Burke
Cons:  Burke 2

The teams:

England:  15 Mark Van Gisbergen (London Wasps), 14 James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), 13 Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons), 12 Mike Catt (London Irish), 11 Iain Balshaw (Leeds Tykes), 10 Olly Barkley (Bath), 9 Peter Richards (Gloucester), 8 Pat Sanderson (Worcester Warriors, captain), 7 Michael Lipman (Bath), 6 James Forrester (Gloucester), 5 Alex Brown (Gloucester), 4 James Hudson (Bath), 3 Duncan Bell (Bath), 2 Lee Mears (Bath), 1 Tim Payne (London Wasps).
Replacements:  16 David Paice (London Irish), 17 David Barnes (Bath), 18 Kieran Roche (London Irish), 19 James Haskell (London Wasps), 20 Scott Bemand (Leicester Tigers), 21 Stuart Abbott (London Wasps), 22 Delon Armitage (London Irish).

Barbarians:  15 Matt Burke (Newcastle Falcons & Australia), 14 Bruce Reihana (Northampton Saints & New Zealand), 13 Thomas Castaignède (Saracens & France, vice-captain), 12 Dominic Feau'nati (London Irish & Samoa), 11 Joe Roff (Kubota & Australia), 10 Carlos Spencer (Northampton Saints & New Zealand), 9 Mark Robinson (Northampton Saints & New Zealand), 8 Toutai Kefu (Kubota & Australia), 7 Olivier Magne (London Irish & France), 6 Xavier Rush (Cardiff Blues & New Zealand), 5 Tom Palmer (London Wasps & England), 4 Bob Casey (London Irish & Ireland), 3 Christian Califano (Gloucester & France), 2 Raphaël Ibañez (London Wasps & France, captain), 1 Andrea Lo Cicero (L'Aquila & Italy).
Replacements:  16 Mark Regan (Bristol Rugby & England), 17 Peter Bracken (London Wasps), 18 Daniel Leo (London Wasps & Samoa), 19 Sam Harding (Northampton Saints & New Zealand), 20 Justin Marshall (Ospreys & New Zealand), 21 Isa Nacewa (Auckland & Fiji), 22 Fraser Waters (London Wasps & England).

Referee:  Donal Courtney (Ireland)
Touch judges:  Alain Rolland, George Clancy (both Ireland)
Assessor:  Dougie Kerr (Scotland)

Spain turn tables on Germany

Advance to Round 4

Spain beat Germany 36-10 at Campo Central Ciudad Universitaria in Madrid on Saturday, thus overturning their first leg defeat in this crucial European Rugby World Cup qualifier.

In Heidelberg the strong German pack dominated and forged an 18-6 victory Spain needed to win by more than 12 points to advance to Round 4 of European qualification on the one hand and to return to the European Nations Cup ("Six Nations B") as well.

Next season Spain will be in the ENC with Romania, Georgia, Portugal, Russia and the Czech Republic, taking the place of Ukraine who are to be relegated

Spanish coach Ged Glynn bolstered his pack for this match but it was only in the last ten minutes on the hot Saturday afternoon that the Lions reached their target.

Right wing David Mota scored an early try for Spain but Germany took the lead when Kieron Davies scored a try and Mustafa Güngör converted.  Back came Spain with a try by hooker Diego Zarzosa, converted by flyhalf Esteban Roqué.  After Güngör had kicked a penalty goal the score at half-time was just 12-10 to Spain, 11 points short of the target

Germany did not score in the second half and it became a matter of how well their defence could hold out.  They got their first try soon enough when fullback César Sempere scored and Roqué again converted and added a penalty goal.  That made it 22-10, which meant the points' difference was as it was in Heidelberg.  But it took Spain nearly 24 minutes to get beyond that.  They were helped when, with eight minutes left, the German prop Alexander Widiker, received a yellow card.  Then Javier Canosa scored and again Roqué converted, much to the joy of the 7 000 spectators.  In injury time César Sempere's second try made the victory look comfortable.

Five tries to two is a worthy victory.

Scorers:

For Spain:
Tries:  David Mota, Diego Zarzosa, César Sempere 2, Javier Canosa
Cons:  Esteban Roqué 4
Pen:  Esteban Roqué

For Germany:
Try:  Kieron Davies
Con:  Mustafa Güngör
Pen:  Mustafa Güngör

Teams:

Spain:  15 César Sempere, 14 David Mota, 13 Ferrán Velazco (captain), 12 Alvar Enciso, 11 Javier Canosa, 10 Esteban Roqué, 9 Pablo Feijóo, 8 Alfonso Mata, 7 Juan González, 6 Rafael Camacho, 5 César Bernasconi, 4 Andrew Ebbet, 3 Manuel Serrano, 2 Diego Zarzosa, 1 Ion Insausti
Replacements:  16 José Maria Bohórquez, 17 Miguel Burgaleta, 18 Sergio Souto, 19 Iván Criado, 20 Carlos Arenas, 21 Andrei Kovalenco, 22 Víctor Marlet

When Miguel Burgaleta came into loosehead for Ion Insausti, he won his first cap

Germany:  15 Matthieu Franke, 14 Markus Walger, 13 Clemens von Grumbkow, 12 Colin Graznna, 11 Mustafa Güngör, 10 Kieron Davies, 9 Jacques Lemmer, 8 Robert Mohr, 7 Steffen Their, 6 Tim Kasten, 5 Bodo Sieber, 4 Jens Schmidt (captain), 3 Pierre Faber, 2 Tim Coly, 1 Alexander Widiker
Replacements:  16 Benjamín Krause, 17 Steffen Horwarth, 18 Christian Hugh, 19 Gerrit van Look, 20 Matthias Pipa, 21 Sebastien Chaule, 22 Lars Ecker

Referee:  Frank Maciello (France)
Touch judges:  Eric Briquet Campin, Grégoire Silvan (both France)

Savai'i Samoa claim Pacific crown

Fiji Warriors fall in the Final

Savai'i Samoa are the inaugural IRB Pacific Rugby Cup champions after coming from behind to beat Fiji Warriors 10-5 in a tense final in Apia on Sunday.

The Samoan side, who enjoyed home advantage for the final owing to their position at the top of the standings, had to repel wave upon wave of Warriors attacks to claw their way back from a 5-3 half time deficit in muddy conditions to delight the 2500 home support.

A downpour before kick-off ended all hopes of seeing a free-scoring affair between the competition's top try scoring teams, but despite the tricky conditions both sides produced a compelling final of exceptional skill and passion, demonstrating exactly how the teams have developed during the competition's six weeks.

Once again Pacific Rugby Cup top-scorer Rambo Tavana was the star for Savai'i, pegging the Warriors back at every opportunity and kicking the decisive points in conditions that frustrated both goal-kickers.

Tavana opened the scoring after six minutes with his first shot at goal to give the home side an early lead, but Savai'i were very much on the back foot in a first half that the Warriors completely dominated in terms of territory and possession.

The Fijian side threw absolutely everything at Savai'i but Samoan defence held firm until five minutes from the interval.

When the try line was eventually breeched it was flanker Kiniviliame Salabogi who dotted down for the game's opening try for the Warriors after some patient build-up play.

The Warriors may have been concerned in the build-up to the match about gaining parity in the forward exchanges, but the Fijian eight produced a series of powerful drives to stretch the Savai'I defence before Salabogi broke free to give the visitors a 5-3 half time lead.

The Warriors began the second half well and silenced the partisan home support who sensed that Savai'I needed a moment of inspiration to turn the tide in the match.  That moment came courtesy of a Warriors turn-over.

Savai'i capitalised on the Warriors' error to quickly work the ball downfield before centre Henry Bryce made a beautiful break to score much to the delight of the home support.  Tavana's conversion nosed the Samoan side back in front.

Both sides missed penalty opportunities in a final twenty minutes that was dominated by the tricky conditions, but it was the Warriors, who with a plentiful supply of possession, threw everything at Savai'i.

However, it was to no avail as the home side held out to lift the inaugural IRB Pacific Rugby Cup trophy.

"I am so proud to have won the first IRB Pacific Rugby Cup," said an emotional Rambo Tavana immediately after the game.

"The players have worked so hard for this moment.  It really is beyond words."

With the Pacific Rugby Cup now completed, attention turns to the IRB Pacific 5 Nations which begins on June 3.

For the national coaches of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga the competition has been invaluable in developing locally-based players for the Test arena and a number of players from the Pacific Rugby Cup are expected to be selected for the tournament which involves Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the Junior All Blacks.

The scorers:

For Savai'i Samoa:
Try:  Bryce
Con:  Tavana
Pen:  Tavana

For Fiji Warriors:
Try:  Salabogi

The teams:

Savai'i Samoa:  15 Alesana Laumea, 14 Tauvaga Fa'afou, 13 Henry Bryce, 12 Pati Fetuai, 11 Esera Lauina, 10 Rambo Tavana (Key Anufe, 63), 9 Ioane Evalu, 8 Egelani Fale, 7 Iosefa Taina (Filisoa Faaiu, 45), 6 Ulia Ulia (Manaia Salavea, 85), 5 Lale Latu, 4 Luti Pese, 3 Rudy Levasa, 2 Viliamu Viliamu (Lafoga Aoelua, 61), 1 Jake Grey.
Unused replacements:  18 Robert Johnstone, 20 Gafa Siona, 22 Mika Viane.

Fiji Warriors:  15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Napolioni Vonawale, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Julian Vulakoro (Tevita Latianara, 85), 11 Mosese Luveitasau, 10 Josevata Tora, 9 Emosi Vucago (Aporosa Vata, 80), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole (Etonia Naba, 81), 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Kini Salabogi, 5 Jone Qovu (Wame Lewaravu, 69), 4 Isoa Domolailai, 3 Apisai Turukawa (Sikeli Gavidi, 68), 2 Sunia Koto(Maciu Vakaruru, 83), 1 Apisai Nagi.
Unused replacements:  21 Jiuta Lutumailagi

Germany wins first round

Big hill for Spain to climb

Germany beat Spain 18-6 in Heidelberg on Saturday in the first leg of the final elimination at the end of Round 3 of Europe's qualifiers for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.  The second leg will be played in Madrid in a fortnight's time.

For Spain to overtake Germany they will have to win by more than 12 points.

The Fritz-Grunebaum-Stadium was packed for the match.

The German pack set up the victory for the Germans depriving the fast Spanish backs of ball.  In addition the German defence was well marshalled for the full 80 minutes and gave the Lions no leeway.

Experienced No.8 Robert Mohr, who plays his rugby in France, scored the first try from a line-out in the Spanish 22.  The German pack drove the maul over Spain's line for the try.

Spain's answer in the first half was a penalty goal by Esteban Roqué, which made the half-time score 5-3.

There were two red cards early in the second half.  After fighting the Welsh referee Neil Ballard sent off the German lock Sascha Fischer and the Spanish hooker Mathieu Cidré.  Earlier there had been yellow cards for Germany's Tim Kasten, Sascha Fischer and Jens Schmidt and Spain's Santiago Serrano.  It was a hotly contested, if slow, match.

Fullback Matthieu Franke increased Germany's lead with a penalty goal.

Play remained fairly even until wing Markus Walger scored Germany's second try.  Franke converted to make the score 15-3 with five minutes to go.

In those five minutes Franke kicked a second penalty goal, which was countered by one by replacement Andrei Kovalenco, Spain's veteran of Ukranian birth.

The German margin of victory could have been much greater had their goal-kicking been more accurate.

Scorers:

For Germany:
Tries:  Mohr, Walger
Con:  Franke
Pens:  Franke 2

For Spain:
Pens:  Roqué, Kovalenco

Teams:

Germany:  15 Matthieu Franke, 14 Mustafa Güngör, 13 Clemens von Grumbkow, 12 Colin Grzanna, 11 Markus Walger, 10 Kieron Davies, 9 Jacques Lemmer, 8 Robert Mohr, 7 Steffen Thier, 6 Tim Kasten, 5 Sascha Fischer, 4 Jens Schmidt (captain), 3 Pierre Faber, 2 Tim Coly, 1 Alexander Widiker.
Replacements:  16 Benjamin Krause, 17 Steffen Horwath, 18 Gerrit van Loock, 19 Alexander Pipa, 20 Mathias Pipa, 21 Hendrik van Loock, 22 Lars Eckert

Spain:  15 César Sempere, 14 David Mota, 13 Ferrán Velazco (captain), 12 Jaime Nava, 11 Ignacio Martín, 10 Esteban Roqué, 9 Pablo Feijoo, 8 Alfonso Mata, 7 Santiago Serrano, 6 Rafael Camacho, 5 Francisco López, 4 Andrew Ebbet, 3 Ion Insausti, 2 Mathieu Cidre, 1 Sergio Padrisa.
Replacements:  16 Diego Zarzosa, 17 Manuel Serrano, 18 Cyril Hijar, 19 Iván Criado, 20 Carlos Arenas, 21 Andrei Kovalenco, 22 Víctor Marlet

Referee:  Neil Ballard (Wales)