Hat-trick for Hogg as Scots run riot

ALLY HOGG claimed a hat-trick of tries as Scotland warmed up for their clash with World Cup favourites New Zealand by strolling to victory in the Pool C match with Romania at Murrayfield last night.

Chris Paterson opened the scoring after little more than a minute of action and further tries were added in the first half by Hogg and Rory Lamont as Frank Hadden’s side displayed more fluency than they had in their opening win over Portugal.

Hogg then touched down twice in the same corner within 12 minutes of the start of the second period to complete his treble before Lamont notched his second of the evening to end the scoring.

Hadden’s men now prepare for the meeting with the All Blacks in Edinburgh on Sunday, when the Scotland coach may rest some of his key players ahead of the pivotal pool meeting with Italy in St Etienne a week on Saturday.

Scotland made a dream start when the Romanians failed to deal with an up-and-under from Dan Parks and Paterson, recalled on the wing effectively at the expense of Marcus Di Rollo, gathered the loose ball.

The recalled utility back chipped ahead and was fortunate to see the ball elude the Romania defenders to allow him to touch down after just 68 seconds.

Scotland’s superiority was demonstrated in the 17th minute when a classic rolling maul from the forwards culminated in a try from close range for flanker Hogg, Paterson converting.

Another break from Webster sparked some more fluent play as first Sean Lamont and then Rob Dewey burst through the Romania line.

Dewey’s run created sufficient confusion in the opposition’s defensive line that a flat pass from Parks enabled Rory Lamont to slide in for Scotland’s third try of the night two minutes before half-time and Paterson again converted.

Scotland added to their try tally when Blair raced down the touchline and flicked the ball inside for Hogg to stroll over and secure a bonus point. Paterson made it 28-0.

With the points safe, Hadden made changes and within seconds Hogg touched down in the same corner to complete his hat-trick as Daniel Santamans’s outfit became increasingly ragged and dispirited.

The final quarter was distinctly stale as a result of the numerous substitutions but Rory Lamont added considerable colour when he brilliantly left the Oaks defence in his wake to score Scotland’s sixth try after being fed by Lawson.

Scotland: R. Lamont, S. Lamont, Webster, Dewey, Paterson, Parks, Blair, Kerr, Ford, E. Murray, Hines, Hamilton, White, Hogg, Taylor.

Replacements: Southwell for Dewey (59), Walker for Parks (68), Cusiter for Blair (59), Smith for Kerr (52), S. Lawson for Ford (59), MacLeod for Hines (52), Brown for Hogg (65).

Romania: Dumitras, Fercu, Gal, Gontineac, Brezoianu, Dimofte, Sirbu, Toderasc, Tincu, B. Balan, Socol, Petre, Corodeanu, Manta, Tonita.

Replacements: Vlaicu for Gontineac (73), Tofan for Dimofte (46), Calafeteanu for Sirbu (45), Mavrodin for Tincu (41), Florea for B. Balan (69), Ratiu for Corodeanu (61), Tudori for Manta (53).

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRFU).