Hot Scots Frozen Out Of Top Eight

Nov 23 2008 David Kelso Reports

Scotland 41 Canada 0

SCOTLAND shivered their way to a win over Canada in Arctic conditions at Pittodrie - but were still left out in the cold in the race for a top-eight seeding at the World Cup in New Zealand.

The Scots did everything asked of them but were pipped to a place among the elite by Ireland who beat Argentina yesterday.

Canada should have felt more at home in the cold snap but had no answer to the pace, power and poise of the Scots.

Now Scotland coach Frank Hadden will aim to use the victory as a springboard to success in next year's Six Nations campaign - although ending up as third seeds for the 2011World Cup could prove a massive handicap.

Comeback winger Nikki Walker grabbed the first try early on and said: "The boys released some frustration out there.

"We have been concentrating on scoring in training and it came off. The conditions were tough butwe managed to dig in and show what we can do in the last 20 minutes."

Scotland couldn't have dreamed of a brighter start. A chance to kick was sacrificed and the gamble of running a penalty instead of going for goal paid handsome dividends.

Simon Taylor was hauled down a stride short of the target but Phil Godman linked with Walker to send the winger over in the corner.

It was a sweet moment for Walker who was making an emotional return to the stadium where he cheered on Aberdeen as a teenager.

Canada replied in positive fashion and only a last-gasp tackle by Rory Lamont prevented skipper Ed Fairhurst sneaking over for an equaliser.

Scotland surged back into attack with Godman sparking panic among the Canadian backs courtesy of a delicate chip.

The visitors cleared the immediate danger but had to regroup to deal with dangerous charges by Walker, Ben Cairns and Nick de Luca.

A sizzling run from Simon Webster then set up a clear-cut scoring chance for flanker John Barclay.

The Glasgow man dived over only for video ref Nigel Whitehouse to rule he had put a toe on the touchline a split second before claiming the try.

Play became scrappy and disjointed as both teams struggled to cope with the icy surface which had been cleared of tons of snow before kick-off.

Lamont sparked the next Scotland raid with a cheeky grubber kick but it was expertly mopped up by James Pritchard.

Seconds later Canucks breakaway forward Adam Kleeberger was warned by ref George Clancy for an offside challenge on Mike Blair - leaving Godman with the formality of a penalty to stretch the lead. There was another fright for Scotland when a Walker clearance was charged down and only a frantic tackle by Lamont kept Canada out.

The mood changed two minutes before the interval as Cairns streaked in for try No.2 following great work by centre partner de Luca.

Godman banged over the conversion from a tricky angle to make the cushion 15 points.

The Scots maintained their momentum after the restart and Barclay wrestled his way over for another try - a consolation score for his earlier disappointment.

Godman's kick was spot on and it effectively ended the match as a contest. Taylor was then hauled down ametre from the line after latching on to an interception on the halfway line.

Scotland kept up the pressure and Al Strokosch pounced for the next try after picking up and driving on. This time Godman added the extras.

That was the cue for Hadden to send on most of his subs, knowing the win was in the bag.

Man of the match Walker burst back into the action to complete his double with sub Dan Parks turning it into a seven-pointer.

And the rout was completed by Lamont with Parks sending the conversion wide.

Scorers: Tries - Walker (2), Cairns, Barclay, Strokosch, Lamont. Conversions - Godman (3), Parks. Penalty - Godman.