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Rugby Union

Match Report

Calcutta Cup drawn

Calcutta Cup drawn

03/13/2010 07:35:26 PM

Scotland and England battered each other into a brutal 15-15 Calcutta Cup stalemate at Murrayfield as international rugby's oldest fixture ended in a record 18th draw.

Earlier in the championship, Scotland had sacrificed a draw to chase victory over Wales and ended up suffering a heartbreaking defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

On this occasion, Andy Robinson's men were glad to accept a share of the spoils from a tense, tight showdown.

Dan Parks, on his 50th Test appearance, kicked all Scotland's points with Jonny Wilkinson landing three penalty goals for England and Toby Flood two.

Scotland coach Robinson was playing for England the last time a Calcutta Cup clash ended in a draw in 1989.

The result ends England's distant hopes of winning the Six Nations title while Scotland remains bottom of the table, still chasing a first victory.

Ugo Monye was carried off on a stretcher and there were broken bodies strewn all across the pitch throughout an intensely physical encounter.

The last two Murrayfield Calcutta Cup matches had been decided by the boot and this was never going to be any different.

Both teams had their moments but could not score a try.

After a cagey opening, Scotland edged into the lead when Dan Cole was harshly penalised at the breakdown and Parks drilled over a 43-metre kick.

The Scottish back row, particularly Johnnie Beattie, injected some pace into the game and England tried to respond with a powerful charge and clever offload from James Haskell.

It came to nothing as Wilkinson floated a pass into touch but the England fly-half drew the scores level with his first penalty after a quick free-kick from Nick Easter caught Scotland napping.

The game was no great spectacle however. Every scrum was reset as the Murrayfield turf cut up but Scotland had the bolder approach and continued to set the tempo.

Graeme Morrison and Max Evans, who had been given a roving brief by Robinson, caused England constant problems as the home side dominated possession.

When Parks fired a cross-kick towards Evans, Riki Flutey did well to cover but was immediately under pressure and penalised for not releasing.

Scotland opted for the lineout and drew another penalty from England, prompting referee Marius Jonker to warn captain Steve Borthwick, and Parks slotted his second penalty.

Scotland was desperate to turn the screw but needed more composure. Parks missed with two drop-goal attempts when he should have kept the ball in hand.

England was losing the breakdown battle, the scrum contest was becoming increasingly feisty and Dylan Hartley was fortunate not to be penalised for throwing a punch at opposite number Ross Ford.

Referee Jonker opted not to reverse the penalty and Wilkinson levelled the scores but Parks succeeded with an ugly drop-goal attempt to earn Scotland a 9-6 half-time lead.

Scotland made 103 passes in the first period to England's 30 but Wilkinson's boot kept the visitors in touch and he landed his third penalty a minute after the restart.

But almost immediately Wilkinson was forced out of the action after colliding with Borthwick as both men tackled Evans.

Having enjoyed only a third of possession in the first half, England was dominating. Cueto's break teed up a fluid attack and Flood nudged England ahead for the first time when Barclay was caught offside.

But England's breakdown problems continued and Parks levelled the scores before hitting the post with an easier chance.

Scotland's tails were

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images
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