Scotland made a winning start in Dubai this morning with victory by 33-12 over Morocco at the Exiles stadium to top Pool W.

But the Scots know that they will have a task later today if they are to qualify for the quarter finals of the prestigious Emirates Trophy after watching Tonga fight hard against the number one seeds New Zealand before losing 14-0.

Scotland play Tonga this evening at local time 5.30 but the Scots may have to go into this vital tie without their
stand-off Chris Paterson. The former Gala player picked up a knee injury in the opening minute of the game against
Morocco after being tap tackled with a try beckoning,

The Scotland medic James Robson has put his chances of playing in the later ties at 50/50. An assessment will be
made this afternoon but at the moment the Scots cam just hope that their talented youngster will make it.

Paterson looked in brilliant form as he cut through the Moroccan defence for what seemed a certain try only for a
vital tap tackle to thwart him. Scotland however did profit from the break, Adam Roxburgh finishing off the move with a try converted by Marcus ddi Rollo.

But Paterson, although in pain , got just reward with a fine try to put the Scotland 12-0 ahead only for Morocco to
come into the game with a converted try just before the break as the Scots , in their own words, "hit a brick wall
of heat".

A second Morocco try at the beginning of the second half levelled the scores but thereafter Scotland took control of
the tie as first skipper Nick Penny ran in a try converted by di Rollo and then Darren Burns, showing great pace, touched down twice, both scores converted by Paterson's replacement Scott Nichol.

Results
Pool W - New Zealand 14 Tonga 0, Scotland 33 Morocco 12
Pool X - Fiji 38 Zimbabwe 17
Pool Y - Australia 36 USA 15
Pool Z - Samoa 36 Japan 7