YOUNG SCOTS EARN SOLID WIN
Scotland under-18 31 Boys Clubs of Wales 0

Scotland under-18 ran in four tries in the drizzle at New Anniesland this afternoon in their first warm-up match for next month’s Six Nations festival.

“It was a solid start,” declared head coach Colin Robertson. “The Welsh had played a match against an English team last week and lost 20-24. I was pleased we scored a few good tries and played with a bit of width but we’ve got a bit to work on before we continue preparations against the Irish Youth next Sunday,” he said.

One injury concern for the Scots involved lanky second-row Richard Gray. He hobbled off with ankle damage in the second-half and such was his lineout dominance that the coaches will be hoping he makes a speedy recovery.

A driven lineout from Gray’s touchline catch set up Scotland’s first try after five minutes, flanker Tom Drennan, who worked hard all afternoon, being credited with the score.

Three penalties from stand-off Scott Meakin extended the home lead to 14-0 and when Drennan surged into a tackle as the Welsh tried to counter, substitute scrum-half Andy Dymock latched onto a stray pass to dot down Scotland’s second try. Meakin converted for a 21-0 interval lead.

Amidst the usual flurry of substitutes, the Welsh made a better start to the second-half but Scotland sealed victory with a 54th minute try from full-back Grant Anderson, off Drennan’s driven maul strength and Paul Loudon’s fine break, and a 66th minute try from winger Fraser Thomson, profiting from a fine off-load in contact by substitute prop Dougie Orr.

Scotland under-18: Grant Anderson (Greenock Wanderers); Fraser Thomson (Gala/Galashiels Academy), Paul Loudon (Edinburgh Accies) captain, Steven Wilson (Howe of Fife/Bell Baxter HS), Adam McKenzie (Barnard Castle School); Scott Meakin (Ivybridge), Chris Jackson (Newbury); Cameron Godfrey (Biggar/Merchiston Castle), Finlay Gillies (Haddington), David Morton (Bristol Academy), Richard Gray (Glasgow Hawks), Fraser Galbraith (George Watson’s College), Tom Drennan (BATs/Trinity Academy), Edward Maslaveckas (Harrogate), Neil Rodger (Haddington/Knox Academy). Subs: Andrew Dymock (High School of Dundee) for Jackson (29 mins), Robbie Johnston (Newark) for Wilson (43 mins), Dougie Orr (North Berwick HS) for Morton and Andrew White (Annan) for Meakin (both 52 mins), Craig Findlater (Highland) for Anderson (55 mins), Nick Campbell (Allan Glen’s) for Gray (59 mins), Chris Fusaro (Howe of Fife/Bell Baxter HS) for Rodger (63 mins).

Boys Clubs of Wales: Aled Davies; Robert Hemmings, James Howe, Rhys Roberts, Jonathan Phillips; Ricky Thomas, Keiron Evans captain; Matthew Jeffries, Jordan Roderick, Thomas Piper, Daniel Lewis, Lewis Ayling, Jamin Edwards, Dean Roberts, Dean Summerhayes. Subs used: Neil Williams, Harry Cole, Ben Read, Daniel Dearden, Marc Street and Gareth Hall.

Referee: Richard Phillips (RFU)

This article was posted on 11-Mar-2007, 19:04 by Hugh Barrow.