Nikki Walker crossed for two tries as Scotland ended their Autumn Test series in encouraging fashion with an emphatic victory over Canada in the snow at Aberdeen. Frank Hadden's men produced an impressive all-round performance at Pittodrie to round off what had previously been a frustrating November.
Ben Cairns, John Barclay, Alasdair Strokosch and Rory Lamont also crossed for tries as Scotland put behind them the meek surrender at the hands of New Zealand's second string and the missed opportunity against South Africa.
The home side made a dream start when Aberdeen-born Nikki Walker slid over after just two minutes following a succession of purposeful drives in the Canada 22. John Barclay was denied his maiden international try when television match official Nigel Whitehouse judged that he was pushed into touch by lock Tyler Hotson, but Cairns crossed for Scotland's second to give his side a comfortable half-time lead.
Having earlier turned down two eminently kickable penalties, captain Mike Blair decided to take a simple three points from the boot of Godman to make it 8-0 just after the half-hour mark. The half closed in the same manner as it had begun, Nick De Luca making a fine break in midfield before feeding centre partner Cairns for a simple try. Godman added the extras to make it 15-0 at the break.
Scotland again made a quick start to the half when the forwards powered over for Barclay to score, referee George Clancy this time seeing no need to refer to the TMO. Godman converted to make it 22-0 after 42 minutes and Hadden, sensing the game was already won, replaced Barclay and Allan Jacobsen - both of whom had started all three November Tests - with Scott Gray and Alasdair Dickinson.
Taylor was full of running on his return to the side but was hauled down five yards short of the line by wing Justin Mensah-Coker after pocketing an interception and charging half the length of the field. It was only a short reprieve for Canada though as Strokosch, another to have been recalled to the side, plunged over from close range for Scotland's fourth try just before the hour mark, Godman again converting.
Hadden continued to introduce his replacements, with Dan Parks and Rory Lawson filling the half-back berths in place of Godman and Blair, and as a result his side lost some of its fluency. It took a piece of individual brilliance from Walker to put the next score on the board when the former Borders winger scythed through the tiring Canada defence to touch down unopposed with 12 minutes remaining.
Canada, having defended bravely for most of the game, were now falling off tackles regularly and more good work in midfield from Cairns and De Luca allowed Lamont to power over for his sixth Test try as Scotland reached the 40-point mark.
