Scotland U-19s out-muscle Georgia

ALAN LORIMER
IN DURBAN

SCOTLAND Under-19s pulled off a second successive victory in the IRB U-19s World Championship, defeating Georgia 32-19 at Durban High School in a match that at times became over-physical.

The result means that Scotland will play for the ninth and tenth finishing places in the final round match on Sunday and, crucially, have avoided the possibility of relegation.

"We needed the win and the boys produced the game to deliver it," said coach Peter Wright. He added : "We played well in the first half and rather sat back on our lead after the break."

Scotland had to match the physicality of a powerful Georgia side which at times threatened to take control of the match. But the young Scots showed composure and attacked well when opportunities arose.

Two tries by former the Merchiston winger Cammy Johnston and the conversions by Borders stand-off James King gave Scotland a useful 14-0 lead, but a catch-and-drive try from a lineout by chunky prop Otar Turashvili gave Georgia their first score.

Scotland, however, reasserted themselves in the first half with a try by inside centre Chris Dunlop from clever phase play and the conversion and a penalty goal by King for a 24-5 interval lead.

A second try for Georgia by winger Iraki Chkhikvadza suggested a fightback by the former Soviet republic, but indiscipline that resulted in two yellow cards took the momentum out of the Georgians.

Scotland then rediscovered their attacking skills to add further points from a penalty by King and a second try for Dunlop to seal a good win.

This article was originally posted on 14-Apr-2005, 07:21 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 14-Apr-2005, 11:11.