TO FOLLOW
SCOTS(MIKE-COLIN LOSE TO ARGENTINA)


South Africa 7s 17, Scotland 7s 24

The Scotland 7s team made history at Murrayfield today on the first day of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s, the climax of the 2006/07 IRB Sevens World Series.

They re-wrote the history books, beating a top four team for the first time and topping their pool at the close of play with three wins from three.

The Scots took the field in front of 13,907 supporters and 1,000 children who were invited trackside as a thank you for their participation in the Martin Currie Festival of Rugby which took place on the back pitches all day.

Speaking after the game, Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell said: “That is the proudest moment I’ve ever had as a coach. We’ve beaten South Africa and Scotland teams don’t do that too often.

“I told the boys before the game that the pride you have in your jersey will be reflected in your defence. They certainly showed that today. We’re as strong as a team as we are as individuals.”

Speaking about the atmosphere that consumed Murrayfield, Gemmell continued: “The crowd have been outstanding today. They’ve all come along and seen some top class rugby from the first game until the last. I hope they turn out in force tomorrow for more of the same.”

Scorer of two of Scotland’s tries, Ben Cairns added: “The atmosphere was brilliant. It was absolutely fantastic to be playing for Scotland, against South Africa at Murrayfield with that crowd.

”It was probably just the players and the management that believed we could win that game. But to do it in such emphatic style was just brilliant.”

Scotland started the game with great intensity and Colin Shaw burned up the right wing and spun the ball left by Ben Cairns. Colin White and Colin Gregor linked up out left but Cairns’ pass was judged to have been forward.

As South Africa were put under pressure at the breakdown inside their own 22, Gregor pounced on their scrum-half and Cairns’ outstretched leg saw him chip the ball on. His turn of pace beat the last defender to claim first score. Adamson missed the conversion.

South Africa’s Dusty Noble clawed a try back for the visitors as his tricky footwork gave him enough room to turn away from Colin Gregor and cross for the score. Mzwandile Stick missed the conversion.

Mistakes on Scotland’s line resulted in a ruck forming on the home try line. Gcobani Bobo received a well weighted pass out of the contact area to slide over to take the score to 10-5 to the Boks. Stick missed his second attempt at goal.

With little over a minute into the second half, a great kick and chase from Scotland saw South Africa come under severe pressure from Gregor who helped turnover ball.

Great passing out of the contact and organised support play gave Cairns the opportunity to burst through the South African back-line and touch down underneath the posts. That touchdown helped Mike Adamson to slot the conversion.

Scotland kept their intensity up and followed that score up with a well worked try. The hard work put in by the majority of the squad in midfield helped put Mark Robertson in at the corner, his sidestep delighting the home and neutral support in the stands. Adamson converted.

A spectacular solo effort from Scotland’s highest point’s scorer in IRB tournaments, Colin Gregor, as Murrayfield was brought to his feet as he beat two defenders whilst collecting the re-start and a further defender at the corner to score on his own.

South Africa claimed a consolation try late on as Mpho Mbiyozo crossed the line and Stick added the conversion.

Scotland will now face Argentina in the Cup quarter-final tomorrow (Sunday), kick-off 12:57pm.

Scotland 7s squad for the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s at Murrayfield (2 & 3 June): Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors & Glasgow Hawks), Ben Addison (Glasgow Warriors & Stirling County), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh Rugby & Currie), Simon Cross (Edinburgh Rugby), Scott Forrest (Border Reivers & Hawick) CAPTAIN, Calum Forrester (Glasgow Warriors & GHA), Roddy Grant (Border Reivers & Gala), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors & Cartha Queen’s Park), Mark Robertson (Border Reivers & Melrose), Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), Colin White (Glasgow Warriors & Ayr)

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This article was originally posted on 3-Jun-2007, 12:21 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 3-Jun-2007, 14:05.