Scotland came agonisingly close to a perfect start to their IRB Under 21 World Championship campaign this evening as Australia scored a try five minutes from time to win the match 28-22 in Mendoza, Argentina.

Going into the final minutes Scotland were trailing by a point following a try from replacement hooker Steven Lawrie but Australia edged further ahead as full-back Cameron Shepherd crossed for the late score.

As the clock ticked away, Scotland had an opportunity to win the match but a handling error just a few metres from the Australian line denied them glory.

Australia were quick off the mark with a try in the second minute from left wing Digby Ioane but Scotland stand-off David Blair hit back with a penalty 10 minutes later. Australia came back immediately with their second try as scrum-half Nic Berry crossed over for a 10-3 lead.

That was increased to 13-3 as Shepherd knocked over a penalty before Blair clawed his side back with three successful goals on the trot to take the Scots to within a point at half time.

Centre Garry Law took over the kicking duties and gave Scotland the lead at 15-13 two minutes into the second half. Shepherd took Australia back in front after 51 minutes with another penalty before replacement back-row forward Leroy Houston bagged Australia’s third try. Shepherd converted to lead 23-15.

Three minutes later Lawrie crashed over allowing Garry Law to convert for a 23-22 deficit but Shepherd killed it off with his 75th minute try.

Scotland captain Neil Cochrane said: "It was a hard game. Our pack did well in the first half to cause Australia to give away penalties. But we couldn't maintain it and suffered in the second half.

"I'm disappointed as we made too many errors towards the end of the game. But we will regroup ahead of the game against Wales and we'll give it all we have."

Scotland take on Wales on Monday (13 June).

SCOTLAND: Alan Nash (Watsonians and East of Scotland Institute of Sport), Ben Addison (Stirling County & Central Scotland Institute of Sport), Nic De Luca (Heriot's & Scottish Institute of Sport), Garry Law (Hawick & East of Scotland Institute of Sport), Ben Cairns (Currie & Scottish Institute of Sport), David Blair (Sale Sharks), Alasdhair McFarlane (GHA); Stuart Corsar (Aberdeen GSFP & Grampian Institute of Sport), Ross Ford (The Borders & Scottish Institute of Sport), Willie Blacklock (Hawick), Sean Tomes (Newcastle Falcons), Ian Nimmo (Heriot's & Tayside and Fife Institute of Sport), Colin White (Stirling County & Central Scotland Institute of Sport), Scott Forrest (Glasgow Hawks & West of Scotland Institute of Sport), Neil Cochrane (Watsonians & East of Scotland Institute of Sport) CAPTAIN

Substitutes: Steven Lawrie (Watsonians & East of Scotland Institute of Sport), Stuart Fenwick (Ayr), John Beattie (Glasgow Rugby & West of Scotland Institute of Sport), Alan MacDonald (Heriot's & East of Scotland Institute of Sport), Greig Laidlaw (Jed-Forrest), Iain Kennedy (GHA & West of Scotland Institute of Sport), Michael Adamson (Glasgow Hawks)

This article was posted on 9-Jun-2005, 22:33 by Hugh Barrow.