Poms draw short straw
England’s Six Nations’ title hopes were ended when they drew 15-15 with Scotland at Murrayfield.
The stalemate broke a run of five consecutive home victories in the Calcutta Cup, with England retaining the trophy thanks to last year’s win at Twickenham. That, though, will be scant consolation for Martin Johnson’s men, who will meet France next weekend with nothing to play for.
The first half was little more than an arm wrestle, and the scorers were troubled only by penalties as periods of territorial dominance from both sides went unrewarded.
Dan Parks opened the scoring in the seventh minute after English prop Dan Cole was penalised for lying on the wrong side, but Jonny Wilkinson’s reply followed soon after. The two flyhalves then exchanged penalties before Parks slotted a drop goal with seconds remaining in the half to give Scotland a 9-6 lead.
The second act saw England kick two penalties, from Wilkinson and Toby Flood, after they had spent 10 minutes in the Scottish half, before another breakdown infringement by the visitors allowed Parks to make it 12-12.
Flood added another three points in the 65th minute, but Parks responded five minutes later to level the scores again. Flood then missed a crucial penalty with two minutes to go that would have kept his team in the Six Nations race.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Kilted Dragons
March 13th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Doesn’t anyone care? Is there anyone out there?
March 13th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
All eyes on the S14!!
But I may just turn to BBC1 if the jocks look like they’ll beat the poms!
March 13th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Please let it happen.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
@AiDoc: ai shame man… this is a Saffa based blog after all
March 13th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Come on Scotland!!
March 13th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
@SpringbokSarah:
s14 too predictable tonight. Go the boys in skirts!
March 13th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
@AiDoc: The Reds beat the Saders, the Cheetahs beat the Canes
March 13th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
@SpringbokSarah: ummm Sarah, reds saders was 3 weeks ago…
March 13th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
jeez 6 nations sounds exciting. stephen jones must be wetting himself
March 13th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
@munkiboi: they played S14 interpretations today, penalty-fest
March 13th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
@poppa69: I know… pointing out it’s not predictable… we do have our upsets
March 13th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
We were appalling once again, clueless backs no attacking threats. God our rugby is getting worse by the game.
I gave MJ a chance but now some serious questions need to be asked. To sit through 7 years of this tripe and excuses since 2003 is just getting boring, oh whats that? there is some paint to watch dry, book me in as its better than that rubbish i just sat through.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:38 am
Sounds like this game was one for the highlights reel
March 14th, 2010 at 1:53 am
@Big Hit: Yeah, thought that as well.
England backs just can’t work a move, does Johnson have a backs coach in the team? Watched them shuffle across the field for 3 games now, just no penetration.
Is Johnny the answer, as much as I like him I feel he is no more than a good boot and heroic defender now. It dies outside him.
March 14th, 2010 at 2:35 am
@Greenfever: forwards aren’t punching any holes, when that happens you go across the field.
Our pack is woeful at present: Borthwick, Deacon, Payne…who are these guys really? most saffers probably wouldn’t have even heard of them. Hartley and Cole are rookies, it’s a mess at present.
March 14th, 2010 at 4:04 am
So England couldnt beat the team that Italy beat.
Christmas has come early. Will the Poms and their whinging whining tweeded twats finish in the top half of the table of a B-rated competition ?
As usual, their fans will always look for excuses….”they played S14 interpretations today, penalty-fest”.
Its always someone elses fault. There were no ‘S14 interpretations’ to blame on EOYT and they scored even less tries.
March 14th, 2010 at 11:44 am
What an abysmal game. Parkes has the opportunity with plenty outside and he kicks??? He has a penalty advantage!!! FFS less than 10 metres out…. run the friggin thing.
The result a DRAW was indicative of the negative play. At least the Rose kicked for a lineout 5-10 metres out, then tried to get over the line; knowing all they had to do was draw a penalty… WIN WIN no matter what.
What the heck were they doing with Johnny though, you either protect the guy with a couple of forwards, so he can hit a line to offload. Poor ******* is being used and abused. Either Johnson starts coaching this team or he chucks it in. He is *****.
March 14th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Bravehearts..!!
March 14th, 2010 at 11:54 am
@RugbyRulz: Yeah…Johnson is fast losing respect…just how long can he ride the coatails of 2003..?
March 14th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Here is little bit of useless info:
England………….Total Male Registered Players = 2,116,292. (and no, it is not a typing error).
Scotland………Total Male Registered players = 31,514.
The scores may have been level at fulltime, but when you are outnumbered 67 to 1.
.
.
.
Well, you make your own mind.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
@cane: I don’t bother with those stats. In oz Rugby has pretty pathetic stats too, we win a few and lose a few. No excuses mate.
March 14th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
poms couldn’t beat the scots…ha ha
March 15th, 2010 at 3:22 am
I watched a bit of this game and I actually fell asleep whilst watching a rugby game for the first time in my entire life.
If I were England I’d get Jake White on the line and pray he didn’t sign anything that can’t be broken by a few pounds.
As for Johnny “Is it still 2003″ Wilkinson, when is the coaching staff gonna realize he ain’t the same player we all remember all those years ago.
Northern Hemisphere rugby is boring.