CEDA reviews role of reforms in diversification of economy and surge in non-oil revenues    79 hospitality facilities in Makkah and Madinah face penalties for closure order violations    Saudi Arabia hosts large-scale iftar banquets in Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, and Malaysia    Saudi Arabia records 23,865 violations in nationwide residency and labor law inspections    S&P upgrades Saudi Arabia's credit rating to A+    Trump orders 'decisive' military action against Houthis in Yemen    US Senate passes Republican spending bill to avert government shutdown    Zelenskyy says territorial control key to peace talks, rejects recognition of occupied regions    Pakistan says train hijacking death toll rises to 30, accuses India and Afghanistan of supporting militants    Al Nassr climbs to third with dominant win over Al Khaleej, Al Qadsiah slips after loss to Damac    Power bank likely caused South Korea plane fire, investigators say    Makkah Lanterns Festival returns for the eighth year as part of Ramadan activities    Crown Prince receives Yazeed Al-Rajhi after historic Dakar Rally 2025 victory    SR17 million fines slapped on 16 individuals and companies convicted of violating Capital Market Law    Saleh Al-Shehri's late penalty rescues Al Ittihad against Al Riyadh    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Man lives for 100 days with titanium heart in successful new trial    Argentinian court begins trial of seven healthcare professionals over Maradona's death    Singer Wheesung who wooed Korea with his ballads, found dead at 43    Prince Frederik of Luxembourg dies from rare disease    Real-life shipwreck story wins major book award    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Ireland keeps alive title hopes with win over Scotland
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 15 - 03 - 2009

Ireland withstood a shaky first half and a determined Scotland side to win 22-15 at Murrayfield on Saturday and stay on course for a Six Nations Grand Slam.
Ireland trailed 12-9 at halftime and could have been further behind, but replacement No. 8 Jamie Heaslip scored the game's only try to give his team a lead it never relinquished.
The victory took Ireland, the only unbeaten side in the tournament, to eight points from four matches. It plays second-place Wales next week in the title decider, although only a convincing win for the Welsh is likely to deny Ireland the title.
Ireland has not won the competition since 1985 and completed its only perfect season back in 1948.
After struggling to put together successive phases in the first half against a fiercely competitive pack and surprisingly inventive back line, Ireland played more attacking rugby in the second period and was rewarded in the 51st when Heaslip touched down.
Scrumhalf Peter Stringer, one of four changes to the team that beat England 14-13 two weeks ago, darted through the defense and flipped a one-handed pass behind him for Heaslip to collect and go over.
Ronan O'Gara converted on his way to a tally of 17 points that established a new Six Nations record of 492.
The second of O'Gara's six kicks put him ahead of Jonny Wilkinson as the tournament's all-time leading scorer, but the Ireland flyhalf was overshadowed by Chris Paterson in the first half.
The Scotland fullback struck four times to put the home side 12-9 ahead at halftime.
It could have been an even bigger lead for Scotland. Just before the interval, winger Thom Evans raced on to collect his own kick downfield and managed to slip the ball to Phil Godman in the tackle, but the flyhalf was bundled out just short of the line by Brian O'Driscoll.
Heaslip, though, put Ireland ahead for the first time and O'Gara converted and then snatched a quickly taken drop goal to calm his team. Paterson and O'Gara traded penalties again to complete the scoring.
Wales edges Italy
In Rome, defending champion Wales came from behind with an unconvincing 20-15 win over Italy on Saturday.
The visitors struggled for rhythm throughout and crept home thanks to a try by replacement center Tom Shanklin eight minutes from time.
Wing Shane Williams also touched down and flyhalf James Hook kicked the rest for a third win from four for the Welsh, whose failure to pile up the points could leave them chasing a huge target in next week's final match at home to leaders Ireland.
Fullback Andrea Marcato had given Italy hope of springing a massive upset a minute before Shanklin's try, by putting them two points ahead with his fifth successful penalty.
Nick Mallett's side faces another wooden spoon but should be encouraged by a spirited performances after losing heavily to England, Ireland and Scotland.
Italy was unable to turn good field positions into points and Wales punished it in the 27th minute when Williams scored his 17th try in 17 games.
The home team kept plugging away and Marcato added two more penalties for a 9-7 lead.
Italy flyhalf Luke McLean then sparked panic with a lob to the corner shortly before the break but wing Mark Jones just managed to get a hand on the ball and save a try.
The host kept up the pressure at the start of the second half.
Marcato extended the lead before Hook edged the Welsh ahead with two penalties.
The Italian fullback was on target again with his boot in the 71st, but the home crowd's hopes of victory did not last, as Shanklin sold a dummy and went over after Wales had recaptured possession from the re


Clic here to read the story from its source.