Paterson leads Scots rout
By Mark Townsend
Last Updated: 02/11/24 11:22am
Scotland hammered the Barbarians 66-19 as Chris Paterson recorded 31 points.
A rampant Scotland side ran in nine tries as they hammered the Barbarians 66-19 at Murrayfield.
The hosts put in a superb display as they prepare to leave for South Africa for a two-Test tour and Chris Paterson was particularly impressive, grabbing two long-range tries while landing 10 out of 10 kicks.
The winger got the scoreboard ticking with a penalty in the second minute but Scotland fell behind when Irish flanker Kieran Dawson charged down a clearance before leaping spectacularly to pounce in the corner with Chris Malone knocking over a brilliant conversion.
However that would be the last time the Barbarians would lead as the Scots added three touchdowns before the interval.
First Mike Blair took advantage after good work by Jason White and Ally Hogg to go in - after a fumble - under the posts, before a Will Greenwood error led to their second try.
The former England centre, playing his last competitive match, spilled a pass from Leon Lloyd after the referee had played advantage and Andy Henderson had the easiest of tasks to cross the line.
Steve Hanley reduced the arrears to 17-12 with a try in the corner following some swift passing by the visitors' back line before Paterson scored the try of the half with a brilliant solo effort, outstripping Hanley and Lloyd from 50 metres out.
After the interval and a number of changes Marcus Di Rollo skipped over, the home side then surging 36-12 ahead when replacement Dougie Hall was driven over, with Paterson adding his sixth straight conversion.
Replacement Sam Pinder, making his debut, claimed Scotland's seventh try after Glasgow team-mate Donnie MacFadyen had broken away following an interception.
The Baa-Baas restored some credibility with a Tony Marsh try, but 10 minutes later they fell further behind when Blair sped in at the corner from a suspicious-looking forward pass from Gordon Ross.
Henderson powered over for his second after 75 minutes and Paterson had the final word with another sensational solo effort after throwing two dummies and brushing off a weak tackle to go in under the sticks.