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SCOTS DELIVER ANOTHER MILLFIELD SUCCESS
Posted: 07/Apr/07
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Scotland under-17 16 Wales under-17 11
Having trailed 3-6 at half time, Scotland had to find extra resolve to protect their unbeaten record in the U17 International Festival at Millfield, Somerset today.
Playing their third match since Tuesday, the young Scots staved off thoughts of any fatigue and, through a heady mix of driving maul and width from their backs, fought back to finish the event with a 100% record.
Historically Scottish age-group sides have found it hard to win any matches, never mind three in succession, a point noted by assistant coach Bryan Easson.
“There’s now an air of expectation. We probably went into today’s game expecting to win and that hasn’t happened very often for age-grade teams in Scotland. But the great thing is that the players are delivering.”
Scotland toiled to win ball in the first-half today when their only points were a penalty by stand-off Andrew Lundie.
Easson said: “We turned it around in the second-half and a couple of outstanding driving mauls from our own 22 set up good field position which enabled us to put width on the ball.”
The second-half saw substitute stand-off Ross Aitken land two penalties and the conversion of prop Craig Owenson’s try, whereas Wales’ only addition was a single penalty and late try.
The Scots, who defeated France and England earlier in the tournament, head to Spain in late June for a conditioning camp and the management would hope that lock Robert Harley will be able to take his place there, in spite of an ankle injury in today’s contest, which required hospital treatment.
Scotland under-17: Tom Brown (Edinburgh Academy); Max Learmonth (Berwick), Sam Hughes (North Berwick HS), Alex Dunbar (Annan), Jamie Harris (Merchiston Castle); Andrew Lundie (Glasgow Academy), Patrick Boyer (Highland); Craig Owenson (Musselburgh), Mungo Strachan (Fettes College), Andrew Fraser (York), Robert Harley (West of Scotland), Andrew Renwick (Selkirk YC), Tom McGarrity (West of Scotland), Stuart McInally (George Watson’s College) captain, Michael Maltman (Musselburgh).
Substitutes: Lindsey Gibson (Hawick Wands), Nicky Little (Hawick PSA), Colin Wood (Selkirk YC), Euan Dods (Gala Wands), Michael Fedo (Howe of Fife), Jack Walker (St Columba’s, Kilmacolm), Alex Black (Harrogate), Ross Aitken (Howe of Fife), James Johnstone (Merchiston Castle School), Dougie Fife (Boroughmuir) and Euan Shand (Fettes College).
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This article was posted on 7-Apr-2007, 22:09 by Hugh Barrow.
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