THE HERALD REPORTS

Scottish Clubs 18 - 11 Irish Clubs
Scotland gained revenge for last year's defeat in the inaugural club international with a rousing comeback at Meggetland last night. The home side looked in danger of being over-powered in the first half, but gradually worked their way into the game and took charge after the break.

"We were bullied last year, so picked a more streetwise side this time," said Ian Rankin, their delighted coach. "While we made a nervy start, we went on to play a lot of rugby as well as showing a huge amount of passion.

Having seen little of the ball, the Scots did well to restrict the damage in the first quarter to a 6-3 deficit, with two penalties by Andrew Thompson all the Irish had to show for their dominance while Murray Strang knocked one over from long range for the home side.

Having to play into the wind was something of a handicap for the Irish, so it looked ominous for the home side when the visitors claimed the opening try, working the blindside well from a set scrum. Frank Cogan picked up at the base and carried it 10 metres with Fiachra O'Loughlin scampering alongside in support and with the defence over-stretched Richard McCarter came roaring in from the right touchline to go through.

It looked as if there might be a major problem when some of the floodlights went out on the half hour but after the two captains were consulted it was decided to play on in the slightly dimmer conditions.

Thereafter the quality of the Scottish back play illuminated play before the interval. Graham Thomson was particularly impressive and made a break which should have produced a try. The centre got his head down to power through a brace of tacklers on halfway and burst into open field. Angus Martyn provided excellent support, getting into the 22 before delivering what looked like the scoring pass but Damien Kelly, uncharacteristically, failed to take it.

Yet confidence seemed to surge through the Scots as a result, as they realised that they had to put width on the ball at every opportunity.

It was, though, essentially route one rugby that finally got them a try and secured a foothold in the game three minutes into first-half injury time. From turnover ball on his own 10-metre line, the stand-off made a clean break on the right and got midway into opposing half before putting boot to ball. His chip was weighted perfectly to allow Marc Teague to beat two covering men to it as it sat up just short of the try line and he fell over for the score.

After the interval they continued to play with much greater enterprise and took the lead after the Irish scrum was disrupted. Alasdhair MacFarlane latched on to the ball as it was hacked loose and Andy Adam got alongside him to give Rory Couper just enough space to round his man and get in on the right.

The win was sealed with a third Scottish try as forwards and backs engaged in role reversal. Steven Lawrie made an initial break and Couper then made ground on the fringe of a ruck.

When the ball was shifted wide Lawrie and McNeil were twice involved in a delightful handling exchange which also saw John Houston get in on the act with the hooker the man to finish what he had started.

The only pity on a fine night for the Scottish players was that so few of their clubmates supported them, with only 1112 in attendance.

1:27am Friday 9th March 2007



By KEVIN FERRIE, Chief Rugby Writer

This article was posted on 10-Mar-2007, 07:54 by Hugh Barrow.