LATE SOUTH AFRICAN TRY DENIES SCOTS A FAMOUS VICTORY
Posted: 08/Dec/07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scotland were within seconds of causing a major upset this morning in the IRB Sevens World Series tournament in George, South Africa. They led the host nation by 17-14 in the Cup quarter-final, but in the last play of the game Vuyo Zangqa snatched victory for South Africa.

Tries from Ruaridh Jackson (2) and Richie Vernon, Colin Gregor converting one, had taken Scotland to the verge of what would have been a major and magnificent success for Scotland’s young squad.

“It was an outstanding performance. We took the game to the South Africans, and we led with only three seconds to go,” Scotland coach Stephen Gemmell commented on how his squad played against opponents who number Super 14 representatives in their ranks.

“It ranks as one of the best displays by a Scottish team that I’ve seen at any level,” he added. “We’re getting closer!”

Scotland went into a Plate semi-final against Kenya, and again they suffered a late-try defeat, going down by 15-17, though they had twice taken the lead at 5-0 and 15-12 with scores by Jackson, Andy Dymock, and Chris Kinloch.

Kenya went on to win the Plate, beating the USA 15-14 in the final. New Zealand won the main competition with victory against Fiji by 34-7.

This article was posted on 8-Dec-2007, 18:49 by Hugh Barrow.