Three former Hawks players;Andy Henderson,euan Murray and Rory Lamont featured in Scotland's first win over the Barbarians in Aberdeen tonight --report from SRU website

Scotland recorded their first win in history over famous touring side the Barbarians tonight at Aberdeen’s Pittodrie, to where international rugby return after a 70 year absence, giving Frank Hadden’s interim coaching party the start they were looking for in front of a capacity 20,000 screaming fans, including Prince William who met with the players following the final whistle.

The Barbarians, who were led out by former Scotland captain and scrum-half Bryan Redpath to mark his final game in Scotland, could not match the Scots’ determination and skill in a performance that shone with pride and overall enjoyment, ending 38-7.

Clearly delighted by the five tries to one result, coach Hadden said: “The enthusiasm of the players this week deserved an outstanding performance and Scotland’s first ever win over the Barbarians.”

The first score came after a nervy opening 10 minutes from both sides as Glasgow Rugby centre Andrew Henderson powered his way through the Barbarians’ prop Darren Morris having tidied up a sticky situation on the visitors’ 22 metre line. The centre broke free and charged in unopposed under the posts allowing fullback Chris Paterson to convert.

The Scots had two opportunities to increase their 7-0 lead sevens minutes later as the Barbarians were penalised twice deep inside their 22. The men in blue resisted the temptation to go for goal and instead Paterson nudged the ball into the corner on both occasions for the lineout, demonstrating to the fans how they intend to see out the remaining minutes.

At the other end of the park the Baa-Baas adopted the same tactics, slotting the ball into the corner following a Scottish infringement 20 minutes in. From the lineout Italian prop Andrea Lo Cicero gathered the ball and, with the assistance of his pack, marched with his head down towards the Scots’ line. Referee Nigel Owens’ view was obstructed by a pile of bodies but video ref Carlo Damasco confirmed the ball had been touched down. Stand-off and captain David Humphreys of Ireland levelled the score with the conversion.

The two teams proceeded to eat away at each other as the clock ticked down towards half time, with Scotland enjoying a sizeable amount of possession. The black and white striped defence held fast however and the score remained tied. Flashes of excitement came from both sides with Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair characteristically darting this way and that, feeding the men out wide. Winger brothers Sean and Rory Lamont were also brought into play as the ball reached the touchline on several occasions.

On the 40 minute mark Paterson gave his side the lead as the Barbarians were penalised for coming into the side of a Scotland ruck. The fullback slotted the penalty goal from just to the right of the posts for a 10-7 lead. A flurry of action in the half’s remaining minutes produced no points but pleased the capacity crowd at the home of Aberdeen FC.

Following the turn-around, scrum-half Blair was seen to cover a huge amount of ground, putting in several key tackles across the park. Seven minutes into the half former Scotland winger Kenny Logan appeared, for his final match at before retiring this summer and fatherhood.

At the other end of the international-experience scale, Scott Lawson, making his debut in the blue of Scotland, continued to impress as he made significant ground in open play and performed admirably in the set piece.

On the hour mark referee Owen was forced to radio upstairs to the video ref once again as Scotland centre Marcus Di Rollo grubbered the ball past opposite man Matt Burke. Di Rollo won the chase to the ball beating fullback Girvan Dempsey but the officials deemed that he had knocked it on over the line.

However minutes later Blair’s brilliance shone through again, lifting the capacity crowd to their feet as he weaved past three Barbarians before drawing Dempsey and offloading to replacement hooker Hall who strolled in to finish a fantastic try made by the scrum-half. Paterson converted from out wide for a 17-7 lead after 63 minutes.

That lead was increased once again as replacement flanker Andrew Wilson, also making his debut, plucked the ball out of the air from a lineout on the Barbarians’ 22. The pack reformed around him and the ball was escorted toward the line. The visitors reacted but, spotting the overlap, replacement stand-off Dan Parks diverted play down the blindside to put winger Sean Lamont in with an overlap. Paterson was again accurate from out wide for a 24-7 lead after 69 minutes.

With the stadium at fever pitch Scotland made it 31-7 as Allan Jacobsen, who had been substituted earlier in the match but then returned to the field in place of the injured Bruce Douglas, joined the pack following a Scotland lineout and marched the ball over the line. Paterson continued to shine with the boot and converted from out wide.

In a final flurry, once again full of individual skill, Scotland landed their fifth try as replacement lock Craig Hamilton gathered the loose ball inside his countrymen’s half. He fed Sean Lamont who glided up field, avoiding the scattered Barbarians, before throwing a wide pass to replacement fullback Hugo Southwell. The Edinburgh man outpaced everyone and dived in at the corner where he was greeted by his ecstatic team mates. Paterson kept his 100% kicking tally putting the final conversion over for six from six attempts (one penalty and five conversions).

The Barbarians could not answer Scotland’s run of tries and the match ended 38-7 for a historic win under the guidance of the interim coaching party. The squad head for Romania next week for their second and final summer test on Sunday 5 June (kick-off 7.30pm local time, one hour ahead of BST).

REFEREE: Nigel Owens (Wales)

ATTENDANCE: 20,228

This article was originally posted on 24-May-2005, 20:32 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 24-May-2005, 22:03.