SCOTS KNOCKED OUT OF CUP COMPETITION
Posted: 03/Jun/07
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Scotland 7s 10, Argentina 7s 22
The pressure to achieve something that no other Scotland 7s team has done before (reach a Cup semi-final) looked to affect the structure and confidence of the seven players that took to the field at Murrayfield this afternoon.

The 10-22 loss to Argentina saw the Scots crash out of the Cup competition and mean that Scotland will now face Kenya in the Plate semi-final at 4:01pm.

Speaking after the game, Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell said: “What a huge disappointment. When you get into the top level of this competition, you have to be clinical in attack and defence and we didn’t play like that today.

”We tried to force too many things, which in fairness, Argentina responded to. We didn’t play how we know we can play.

“We now have a real opportunity to have another go and finish as one of the top five teams in this competition.”

Scotland started the game off on the wrong foot as Colin Gregor’s kick-off fell short of the required ten meter distance. Play was duly brought back which dissipated the initial impact that the Scots were looking to create.

The Argentineans then broke up the left wing and, with an Argentinean body obstructing the defender, the tackle couldn’t be made and Gonzalo ran in for unconvincing opening try. Martin Rodriguez missed the conversion.

Scotland tried to mount a comeback but tentative passing and failure to execute simple skills as confidently as they had yesterday, Ramiro del Busto broke away for Argentina’s second score. Santiago Bottini converting.

As little as one minute of time had passed in the second half before Francisco Albarracin crossed the line to put Scotland even further behind. Rodriguez again missing the conversion.

However, two minutes later, Mark Robertson struck back after he received a long ball out wide.

Argentina responded with another try as Robertson’s last ditch attempt to tackle del Busto failed to bring the attacker to the ground.

Scotland’s character shone as they refused to give up. Scott Forrest took a quick tap and mounted a solo burst up the midfield and as he was brought down almost 15 meters short of the line, the ball was spun wide and replacement Roddy Grant claimed the last word.

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This article was posted on 3-Jun-2007, 14:08 by Hugh Barrow.