SCOTLAND registered their first win in the NatWest competition by dominating play against Worcestershire in Edinburgh yesterday and holding off a spirited fightback by Gavin Haynes and Stuart Lampitt in a seventh-wicket stand.

They added 131 runs, bringing Worcestershire to the verge of victory, when Mike Allingham, who had contributed significantly to Scotland's total of 244, bowled Haynes for a splendid 74 with 16 runs still needed for victory.

Lampitt's brave effort however continued but with five runs needed from the last ball of the game, he was bowled by Greig Williamson.

The foundation for victory had been laid by Bruce Patterson and Allingham, who put on 118, creating a second-wicket partnership record for Scotland in one-day internationals. Allingham then dragged a delivery from Lampitt on to his stumps, having scored 54. He had hit four boundaries in an innings occupying 109 balls.

Patterson continued in rich form, once lofting Illingworth over the long-off boundary for six before falling, also to Lampitt, when he tried to make room for a drive into the off-side and was yorked. His 71 included seven boundaries and that one six. He was at the crease for 161 minutes and received 136 balls.

The Scots pushed on to 244 with useful late contributions from Drew Parsons and Ian Stanger and Worcestershire found themselves deeper in trouble when Weston went for just six, accumulated in 12 overs, with the score on 32.

But it was West of Scotland's Craig Wright who was to become Scotland's hero as he produced a magnificent spell of seam bowling to take five wickets, including those of Tom Moody and Graeme Hick, four of them caught by wicketkeeper Alec Davies.

With Worcestershire teetering on 98 for six, Haynes and Lampitt came together to breath new life into the innings, only to be finally frustrated by an inspired bowling and fielding performance.

Throughout, Scotland played with a determination which, until that late stand, Worcestershire never matched. It was throughout, a positive performance from the Scots, especially in the field.

Wright deservedly won the man of the match award with an inspired spell of bowling during which he repeatedly moved the ball away from the batsmen off a slow, low wicket. His return of five for 23 from 12 overs was the difference between the two sides.