Scotland 34-10 Italy: Scots put Azzurri to the sword with deserving win

Scotland responded well from last weekend’s Calcutta Cup defeat to England to record their first win of the 2013 Six Nations by 34-10 over Italy at Murrayfield.

Play begun under a symphony of noise from the Murrayfield crowd, and they continued to the very last minute as their team romped to a four-try victory.

The scoring began after 15 minutes, Scotland capitalising on a missed Italy penalty to convert two of their own, which was swiftly followed by their first try - scored by Dutch-born winger Tim Visser.

The visitors were awarded a penalty to claim their first three points, but the Thistle really kicked into gear after the break, scoring two quick-fire tries in a frantic three minutes.

Matt Scott got the first to the delight the on-looking head coach Scott Johnson, but it was Stuart Hogg’s effort that elated the crowd.

The full-back was alert as he expertly intercepted an Italy move which was a pass away from a certain try, and responded with an 80 metre dash across the length of the field to make it 27-3 as the Azzurri back-line sluggardly tried to keep up with his lightning pace.

Sean Lamont then recorded his ninth international try, and probably his easiest, as he picked up a loose ball from a ruck and casually headed between the posts to touch down.

Italian back-rower Alessandro Zanni made sure his side weren’t totally embarrassed when he scored a consolation try with five minutes to play to complete the scoring.

But the hosts were dominant throughout, while scrum-half Greig Laidlaw, who dictated and controlled the game, picked up a deserved man-of-the-match award.