Scotland Club International put in some hard graft tonight at Old Anniesland, but were turned over by a very powerful France Fédérale team, 30-3.

Centre, Jack Steele, the only player to play for the host club, Glasgow Hawks, scored the only points for the home team with a penalty on 46 minutes.

For France the stars of the show were stand-off Julien Lavie, who slotted three penalties and two conversions and man-of-the-match, Anthony Potente, who led the pack well and scored a try.

Scotland Club International head coach, Phil Leck, said: “Unfortunately, we were the architects of our own downfall tonight. It was a very tough game to play and we’re concerned about a few decisions made.

“We didn’t keep possession for more than three phases and that meant we struggled.

However, the players put in 100% and dug deep for every minute of the match.”

In the second period, scrum-half Peter Jericevich added some extra pace and created a few opportunities with some quick thinking. Also winger Craig Gossman and lock, Murray Douglas defended as though their lives depended on it throughout the match.

However, despite some good territory in the first half and the injection of pace in the second-half, the Scots were unable to convert chances into points.

Also on the score-board for France this evening were full-back Remi Lamarque with a try and a conversion and replacement prop, Fabien Dupuy.

Run of play:

France scored the first points of the match, three minutes into the game when stand-off Lavie kicked a penalty. 0-3

A prolonged period followed where both sides took turns at line-outs and scrums, as the set-piece featured heavily. During this time, Scotland had some good territory with stand-off Edwards pinning the ball back nicely. However, no points were gained.

Just shy of half-an-hour and France scored the first try of the game. First, Gossman halted his considerably bigger opposite number, who was in space out wide. But, one more phase through the hands and full-back Lamarque was in under the posts. Lavie converted. 0-10

Scotland’s first chance at points came two minutes later, however, centre Steele was short with the penalty kick.

Lavie scored a further two penalties on 32 minutes and 37 minutes respectively, ending the first half, 0-16.

Half-time: Scotland Club International 0-16 France Fédérale

Within six minutes of the second-half centre Steele added the first points for the hosts, with a penalty kick. 3-16

Potente scored his try for France on 58 minutes and Lavie converted. 3-23

The final score of the match came from France replacement prop, Dupuy with six minutes left on the clock. Full-back Lamarque converted 3-30

In the final play of the game a brawl broke out and centre Chris Auld was red-carded for the hosts, with France’s Kevin Kahn receiving the same punishment.

Full-time: Scotland Club International 3-30 France Fédérale

Scotland Club International team: Nyle Godsmark, Erlend Oag, Chris Auld, Jack Steele, Craig Gossman; Stuart Edwards, George Graham; Rory Sutherland, Fergus Scott, Ewan McQuillin, Craig Borthwick, Murray Douglas (captain), Andrew Nagle (for Hill, 49mins), Will Bordill and Jason Hill.

Replacements: Lindsey Gibson (for Scott, 73mins), Nicky Little (for Sutherland, 40mins), Struan Cessford (for McQuillin, 62mins), Callum Templeton (for Douglas, 73mins), Gary Graham (for Nagle, 40mins), Peter Jericevich (for Graham, 27mins), Richard Mill (for Steele, 62mins) and Grant Sommerville (for Oag, 52mins).

France Fédérale team: Remi Lamarque; Pierre Lafitte, Jordi Rouge, Jean Baptiste Lafite, Stephane Bonvalot; Julien Lavie, Paul Dubert; Agnesi Nicolas, Romain Lauga, Adrien Attia, Benoit Senac, Anthony Potente, Guilaume Geledan, Julien Capdeillayre (captain) and Louis Bezert.

Replacements: Renaud Palomera (for Nicolas, 45mins), Fabien Dupuy (for Lauga, 60mins), Kevin Kahn (for Senac, 55mins), Jean Baptiste Cros (for Geledan, 69mins), Jean Francois Cruzalebes (for Dubert, 55mins), Hugo Dupont (for Lavie, 66mins), Romain Edmond Samuel (for Bonvalot, 66mins) and Arnaud Etchegaray (for Attia, 45mins).

Man-of-the-match: Anthony Potente

Referee: Rizzo Elia (FIR)

Attendance: 831

This article was posted on 7-Mar-2014, 22:47 by Hugh Barrow.