SCOTS ACHIEVE LAST-GASP WIN AGAINST FRENCH
Posted: 30/Nov/07
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A try with the final move of the game secured Scotland a 17-12 victory over higher-ranked France in their second pool tie in the IRB World Series 7s tournament in Dubai in front of a capacity 35,000 crowd at the Exiles Stadium today.

Victory in this match was crucial to the Scots’ hopes of progressing to the knockout stages after they had lost their first game of the day 5-41 to New Zealand.

Coach Stephen Gemmell said: “The encouraging thing was the boys struck to their game, rather than panicking and forcing things. There’s a real belief and desire in the squad best illustrated when France got it back to 12-all with a minute to go.”

Scotland had opened their account with a try by James Thompson but trailed the French – who had won their earlier game against the Arabian Gulf – by 5-7 at the interval.

A try and conversion by Colin Gregor catapulted the Scots into a 12-5 lead but the French levelled with a converted score before Ruaridh Jackson’s last-gasp try saw Scotland home.

If Scotland can beat the Arabian Gulf in their final pool match, which kicks-off at 1.22pm GMT, and the All Blacks complete the clean sweep of the pool by winning against France, then Scotland will qualify for the quarter-finals of the Cup event for the sixth successive IRB tournament.

Scotland 7s squad (sponsored by Murray) for IRB tournaments in Dubai (30 November and 1 December) and George (7 and 8 December)

Scott Forrest (Ayr)* CAPTAIN, Calum Forrester (GHA)*, Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Newlands (Edinburgh), Chris Fusaro (Heriot’s)**, Stephen McColl (Dunfermline)*, Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Kinloch (Edinburgh Accies)*, James Thompson (Heriot’s)*, Andrew Dymock (Dundee HSFP)**, Grant Anderson (Ayr)**, Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Hawks)*.

This article was originally posted on 30-Nov-2007, 14:15 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 30-Nov-2007, 14:19.