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Rugby Union

Henderson hat-trick boosts Scots

12/08/2007

Andy Henderson scored a hat-trick of tries to help Scotland overcome Ireland for the first time in eight attempts with a 31-21 win at Murrayfield.

Despite Henderson's heroics Scotland's victory was built on a dominant display from the forwards who also scored themselves through Alistair Hogg and Ewan Murray.

Hogg crossed the whitewash after just three minutes as he peeled off the side of a ruck to score from close range.

Paddy Wallace slotted a penalty to reduce Ireland's arrears but Henderson replied with his first try, going between the posts despite a number of Irishman trying to thwart him on the line.

Geordan Murphy added another Irish penalty while Wallace was receiving treatment for a head injury before Murray burrowed over the line to give the Scots a 19-6 half-time lead.

Henderson grabbed his second try soon after the break, scoring in the corner after solid work from the forwards.

Ireland then mounted a comeback. Centre Tommy Bowe made a break which led to a try for scrum-half Isaac Boss, who was able to roll over the line from the base of a maul.

This appeared to galvanise the visitors and David Trimble then added another try for Ireland but Wallace failed to convert. A few minutes later he atoned for the error, slotting home a penalty to make it 24-21 to the home side.

But Henderson sealed the game with his third try after Dan Parks released him to drive over from short-range seven minutes from time.

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