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However, there was cause for optimism. Not only had Scotland come closer than ever to gaining a first ever win over New Zealand in the autumn international - only a missed conversion attempt in the dying minutes by Peter Dods allowed the All Blacks to leave Murrayfield with a 25-25 draw, but it could also be argued that the fixture list fell kindly for the Scots.
Home advantage against the two sides likely to be Scotland's closest challengers, England and France, were interspersed with away games against Wales and Ireland, meaning that there was a realistic chance of victory in each of the games.
Cardiff Arms Park was never an easy ground for opposing sides, so when Scotland emerged from their opening game of the season with a 15-9 success over Wales, it gave rise to thoughts that something special might be occurring. Tries by Ian Paxton and skipper Jim Aitken, the latter converted by Dods who also added a penalty, were enough to win a match which Scotland dominated and could have won more convincingly.
The result was an ideal confidence booster for the Scots as they returned to Murrayfield for their hundredth match against the Auld Enemy, England.
David Johnson's first half try, converted by Dods was enough to give Scotland a narrow 6-3 lead at the interval; Dusty Hare having kicked England's only points from a penalty.
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Scotland travelled to Lansdowne Road, Dublin, for their third match in the series, knowing that victory against Ireland would not only ensure the Triple Crown for the first time in forty-six years, but would also leave them one step away from a Grand Slam.
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