Fullback Andrea Marcato scored a last-minute drop goal to hand Italy a 23-20 win over Scotland in their final Six Nations match on Saturday. The victory at the Stadio Flaminio gave Italy its first points of the tournament although it still finished in bottom place with Scotland, avoiding a second successive wooden spoon. Italy opened the scoring with a penalty try, converted by Marcato, only for Scotland to pull level with a try by flanker Allister Hogg midway through the first half, Chris Paterson converting. Scotland flyhalf Dan Parks and Marcato then exchanged penalties before captain Mike Blair picked up from a ruck to charge over with Paterson's conversion giving the Scots a 17-10 halftime lead. An interception by Italy captain Sergio Parisse for a try by center Gonzalo Canale had Italy level again with Marcato and Paterson putting over another penalty each before coach Nick Mallett celebrated his first win at the death.Canterbury unbeaten New Zealand's Canterbury Crusaders thrashed South Africa's Cheetahs 55-7 in Christchurch on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten start to the Super 14 season. The Crusaders ran in nine tries in a dazzling display of high-speed rugby to earn another bonus point and retain their place at the top of the standings after five rounds. Scott Hamilton and Casey Laulala both touched down twice while Daniel Carter, Sean Maitland, Leon MacDonald, Ti'i Paulo and Caleb Ralphall scored one each. Carter also slotted home five conversions. The Western Force, meanwhile, scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to beat Auckland 27-17 on Saturday and register its first Super 14 victory in New Zealand. In Melbourne, the Queensland Reds, humiliated 92-3 by the South African Bulls last year, produced a remarkable turnaround to beat the Super 14 champion 40-8 in Brisbane on Saturday. The Australians had managed only one win in four matches this season, prompting coach Phil Mooney to wield the ax and appoint a new captain and his new-look side responded in emphatic fashion. __
