SCOTS QUALIFY FOR CUP IN SINGAPORE
Posted: 27/Oct/07
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Scotland’s 7s squad, playing as Rugby Ecosse and sponsored by Weatherford at the Singapore Cricket Club International Tournament, have duly qualified for the main competition, The Ablitt Cup, tomorrow.

On paper an aggregate of 126 points for and none against from their pool ties might suggest something of a cricket score, but the raw statistics do not quite tell the whole story.

The severest challenge to the Scots would certainly have been posed by the New Zealand Maori and the boys were keyed up to test their mettle against such quality opposition.

Unfortunately the Maori failed to turn up and scheduled ties against them were officially recorded as 40-0 victories to their opponents.

As coach Stephen Gemmell observed this generated a degree of frustration among the squad because they had not been seriously tested and while there was satisfaction to be derived from the clean sheet of points conceded, there were bouts of slackness which would be unlikely to escape unpunished against stronger sides.

The opening tie against the Western Australia side Tri Line Academy Development strand featured the odd mistake by Ecosse but possession surrendered was speedily retrieved and converted into scores.

Stephen McColl opened their account in the early stages and touched down again before the break. James Thompson sprinted clear between times to ensure the comfort zone was achieved by the interval.

Grant Anderson scored twice in the second half with Struan Dewar and Mike Adamson also crossing, the latter also posting four conversions in the 43 points tally.

That was also the total when they met Thai Barbarians, but such a margin looked improbable in the early exchanges as some rank sloppy play allowed the opposition attacking opportunities until a long-range try well into the half by Colin White settled the nerves.

Thomson quickly consolidated and Adamson converted both for a half time advantage that had been an uncomfortably long time in coming.

There was a considerable tightening up after Gemmell’s half time analysis and five further tries snuffed out the early spirit of their opponents. Chris Kinloch and Thompson each claimed a brace and there was another from McColl,
Adamson adding conversion points to three of them.

Rugby Ecosse Scotland 7s squad
Scott Forrest and Colin White (both Ayr and National Senior Academy), Calum Forrester (GHA and National Senior Academy), Stephen McColl (Dunfermline and National Senior Academy), Chris Fusaro and Struan Dewar (both Heriot’s and National Junior Academy), Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors and Glasgow Hawks), Chris Kinloch (Edinburgh Accies and National Senior Academy), James Thompson (Heriot’s and National Senior Academy), Andy Dymock (Dundee HSFP and National Junior Academy), Grant Anderson (Ayr and National Junior Academy), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Hawks and National Senior Academy).

Coach – Stephen Gemmell; Physio – Dan Moore; Manager – Karen Burnett

Scottish Rugby also appreciates the support from area Institutes of Sport to the following players: Grant Anderson (West), Chris Fusaro and Struan Dewar (both East) and Andy Dymock (Tayside and Fife).

Team for game v Tri Line Academy - Forrest, Fusaro, McColl, Adamson, Jackson, Thompson, Anderson. Reps who got on Dymock, Dewar, Forrester.

Team for game v Thai Barbarians - White, Forrest, McColl, Adamson, Jackson, Thompson, Kinloch. Reps who got on Anderson, Fusaro, Forrester.

This article was posted on 27-Oct-2007, 18:06 by Hugh Barrow.