England dominate Scotland for first 2013 Six Nations victory

England got the opening points of the game with a penalty, scored by fly-half Owen Farrell.

However, thoughts that this Calcutta Cup clash might be a walk over were quickly dismissed, when a break by fullback Stuart Hogg through the English defence saw the ball fed to inside centre Greig Laidlaw, and then onto winger Sean Maitland, who scored on his Scottish debut.

Owen Farrell put England back in the lead minutes later with another penalty conversion, and four minutes later his boot extended the lead by another three points, from a penalty.

Scotland closed the defecit, again with a penalty, after England hooker Tom Youngs came in from the side. Laidlaw converted the points.

But England were looking the dominant of the two sides – and in the 30th minute when winger Chris Aston crossed the line which, with the Farrell conversion, gave England double Scotland’s points at 16 points to 8.

Two further penalties, one for England and one for Scotland, put the scores at England 19, Scotland 11 going into half time.

Second half

England maintained the pressure from the first half, rewarding the side with a try from Billy Twelvetrees, on his debut, three minutes into the second half. Farrell, whose boot was never looking in doubt, converted.

In the 52nd minute another try appeared to be scored, but was cancelled out after the touch judge spotted a high tackle – with Scotland being given the resultant penalty.

However, any upset this may have caused for the English players was dispelled minutes later when Toby Youngs broke through the Scottish line. He was able to hold onto the ball when tackled, which was then released down the white line, allowing Geoff Parling (above) to run in for the try. For once, Farrell failed to convert the points.

Scotland were beginning to look tired, having had to put up a stern defence for much of the first half. However, there was still life in the players – and after winning the ball back from next to their own try line, Scotland took the ball the length of the field for Hogg to score, and Laidlaw to convert – bringing the points gap down to 13 with nine minutes remaining.

Scotland continued to pile on the pressure – but failed to convert the pressure into points. England, however, showed their fitness. Hitting Scotland down the other end of the picture to score – taking the final result to England 38, Scotland 18.