The win over Wales was a bit more like it and the win was a timely boost for the forthcoming trip to face England.
Our first half display at Murrayfield showed how well we can play as a unit and we completely controlled the game in the opening 40 minutes.
We were guilty of showing the Irish and French too much respect in our opening defeats and were determined not to do the same again.
Scoring early gave us the impetus to drive forward with self-belief and we quickly found our attacking rhythm.
It was good to give the Murrayfield crowd something to shout about after a disappointing start to the championship. The spectators definitely give the team a lift but they are not going to get behind you if nothing is going on.
It was vital to get off to a good start and we kept the scoreboard ticking over, which does wonders for confidence.
Chris Paterson turned in a marvellous kicking performance, which was great because we have struggled a little in that department.
To see penalties converted and five points turned into seven gives everyone a massive boost.
The management team brought back a few more experienced heads and we are all aware that World Cup places are up for grabs.
The pressure was on us and we had been written off by some sections of the media, so there were a few points to be proved.
 Scotland were too powerful for Wales |
Everyone raised their game a notch or two and the early cushion we gave ourselves made life so much easier. Against Ireland and France we were always chasing the game and that's when mistakes creep in.
We didn't see enough of the ball in the second half and it was disappointing to lose two late tries.
It definitely took some of the gloss off the result.
The score would suggest a tight game, which I don't think it was. However, we must learn to concentrate until the final whistle.
The Welsh came back at us in the second half, but we defended well and were absorbing their pressure without too many problems.
There was blatant crossing for the last try but the referee may have turned a blind eye because the points were already decided.
While we're not getting carried away with Saturday's result, it's nice to have that winning feeling again and hopefully we can build on that for the trip to Twickenham. We haven't had much joy in England for a long time, but they're not looking like world-beaters at the moment and they struggled to find the try-line against France and Wales.
I was talking to some of the Welsh boys after the game and they said they really beat the English up for 50 minutes at the Millennium Stadium before running out of steam.
With a bit of luck, we can do the same and take the chances that come our way.
That was the big difference against Wales. We took our chances and converted pressure into points.
At international level opportunities don't come along that often and you will be punished if you don't take them.
MMIX
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