SALE JET PAST YOUNG SCOTS WITH NINE TRIES
Posted: 09/Jan/06
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SALE JETS 65 SCOTLAND U21 19

Iain Paxton’s Scotland Under-21 side were taught a harsh lesson this evening by the Sale Jets at Heywood Road, losing 65-19 in their penultimate development match before the shadow Six Nations competition gets under way next month.

The Scots competed well in the first half, going into the break 19-18 up but their hard work “evaporated” in the second half as Sale ran in seven unanswered tries. For the lead, Scotland captain Dave Blair kicked four penalties and added a conversion to centre Ben Cairns’ try but his side was unable to penetrate the strong defence in the second period.

Cairns’ try came as the Scots pressurised Sale inside the home team’s 22. The Currie centre had lined up his opposite man for a tackle but instead reacted well to a loose pass and sailed in under the posts. Paxton said: “It’s very easy to be negative but there were some positive performances.”

He went on: “Sale had more power and pace and their players were better conditioned than most of our own. They have played together more as a team but we competed well in the first half. That evaporated in the second period. I think a few of our players found the extra intensity a step too far but to become a better player you have to play against the best.

“It’s the harsh reality of where we are. We’ve got another tough game next week and then we’re into the Six Nations. As coaches we’re not too concerned because it shows us what needs to be done and tonight Sale’s strength in depth took its toll on us,” he added.

The young Scots were without some crucial players for the clash against Sale. Edinburgh Gunner Alan MacDonald, Border Reiver Garry Law and the Glasgow Warriors’ back row duo of John Barclay and John Beattie were all unable to take part this evening due to pro-team commitments.

Paxton said: “We had a number of key players unavailable tonight and that makes a difference. We were also playing against players out with the age-group but during the Six Nations we’ll play more like for like in terms of age. We have to react positively to tonight’s game and the best players will do that.”

Scotland Under-21 face Newcastle Falcons at Percy Park in Newcastle a week today (Monday 16 January, kick-off 7pm) before the Six Nations brings a clash with France at Falkirk Community Stadium on 3 February. Last year the Scots finished third overall in that competition and are aiming to better that result next month.

Scotland Under-21: Ben Addison (Stirling County), David Whiteford (Melrose), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh Gunners and Currie), Iain Kennedy (Glasgow Warriors and Glasgow Hawks), Lee Kibble (Border Reivers and Biggar); Dave Blair (Sale Sharks) CAPTAIN, Greig Laidlaw (Jed-Forest); Ryan Grant (The Army), Sean Crombie (Aberdeen GSFP), Innes Brown (Stirling County), James Eddie (Glasgow Warriors and Ayr), Ian Nimmo (Leicester Tigers), Scott Newlands (Border Reivers and Heriot’s), Ross Miller (Melrose), James Taggart (Currie)
Substitutes: (all used) Willie Brown (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh Gunners and Boroughmuir), Calum Forrester (GHA), Michael Robertson (Hawick), Stephen Biggart (Glasgow Hawks), Scott Wight (Melrose), Robert Cairns (Boroughmuir)

Sale Jets: Selorm Kuadey; Joe Knowles, Matt Riley, Jason Duffy, Steve Hanley; Rhys Jones, Ben Foden; Eifion Roberts, Neil Briggs, Martin Halsall, Ben Lloyd, Sean Cox CAPTAIN, Adam Newton, Michael Hills, David Tait
Substitutes: Marc Jones, Tom Mantell, Rob O'Donnell, Glen Townson, Chris Leck, Chris Parrott, Olly Pursglove

This article was posted on 10-Jan-2006, 09:04 by Hugh Barrow.