Brilliant Paterson steals show from Wilkinson

By Rex Gowar

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - On the day Jonny Wilkinson set a world points record the England flyhalf was upstaged by opposite number Chris Paterson in Scotland's upset 15-9 victory at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Paterson, a metronome-like place kicker, is on a remarkable run of 30 successful penalties and conversions in a row dating back to the 2007 World Cup after his four penalties on Saturday secured Scotland's first win of the year.

Wilkinson, who booted three out of four penalties, took his international points tally to 1,099, surpassing Welshman Neil Jenkins.

The Scots had lost all three previous matches in the tournament but put in a disciplined performance in foul weather against a poor and erratic England side who upset France in Paris two weeks earlier.

Conditions were difficult in the wind and driving rain, said Paterson, who nearly missed his third penalty of the afternoon which gave Scotland a 9-3 halftime lead, the ball sailing low but just getting over the bar.

"The wind was the biggest factor. There was a strong cross wind," Paterson told reporters.

His second kick from nearly 40 metres out on the left was brilliant.

"It was the same range as at the World Cup against Argentina," he said, referring to the quarter-final in Paris which Scotland lost narrowly to the Pumas.