SCOTLAND 43 WALES 25 DETAILS TO FOLLOW
The Scotland under-21 team are guaranteed to finish the IRB world championship as best placed among the home nations after their impressive 43-25 success against Wales in Mendoza tonight.

It was only Scotland’s third victory in 22 meetings between the countries at this age-level and coach Ian Paxton paid tribute to his side’s fitness as they proved their stamina over the Welsh and gained revenge for two defeats by the same opponents earlier this season, including the match in the pool stages eight days ago.

Scotland will now contest fifth place against the hosts Argentina in their final match of the tournament on Saturday.

“We played well today,” Paxton reflected. “We started slowly but we gradually got into the game and we were disciplined. Four games into the tournament Wales were saying afterwards that they’ve got a few guys injured.

“But we’ve done pretty well in that regard and we actually had seven guys out there training after the game so that’s a tribute to the fitness and conditioning work we’ve done.

“For a lot of the boys that’s their first win against Wales at any level,” he said proudly.

Michael Adamson, the Glasgow Hawks stand-off, who had converted six of Scotland’s eight tries in their 52-20 win against Canada last Friday, was again a reliable goal-kicker tonight providing 20 of the Scots’ points through four penalties and four conversions.

His first successful penalty occurred in the fourth minute but Wales were quick to gain parity with a penalty and then took the lead with a converted try when their full-back dotted down under the posts.

Heriot’s Nick De Luca, who had scored a try brace against the Canadians, sustained his appetite for the line tonight as he intercepted on half-way to score the Scots’ first try in the 21st minute for Adamson to convert to level the scores at 10-all.

Wales and Adamson then traded penalties before De Luca struck once more, exploiting turnover ball then having the pace and determination to finish from some 40 metres out. Adamson goaled then added his third penalty for good measure to give Scotland an interval advantage of 23-13.

Adamson extended that lead with a 40 metre penalty and though Wales responded with a well-worked try in the opposite corner from a close-range lineout, Scotland did not panic.

In the 13th minute of the half they kicked for the corner, won the lineout and though Wales defended stoutly, the Scots remained patient and disciplined for Aberdeen GSFP prop Moray Low to be credited with the drive-over try. Adamson had a slight incline close to the touchline to combat for the conversion but he did so with aplomb.

Scotland now sensed they could go for the jugular and Watsonians full-back Alan Nash picked up a loose ball to coolly drop a goal from 40 metres and ensure his side a 36-18 lead.

Wales pressed but the alert Stirling County wing Ben Addison intercepted on his own 22 and then scooted the length of the field to claim Scotland’s fourth try which Adamson dutifully converted.

Captain Neil Cochrane was sin-binned for killing the ball in the closing stages and Wales cut into the Scots’ lead with a converted try but it did not affect the result.

Paxton added: “We’re very much looking forward to playing Argentina on Saturday. It’s a totally different game for us as they’re very big and physical up front but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to. We’ve finished the best placed side among the four home nations and we’re now aiming for fifth place overall.”

Argentina booked their place in that contest with a 20-6 victory over England tonight. England now face Wales in the seventh place play-off while Ireland will play Samoa for the ninth position.

In the semi-finals of the main event Australia beat France and South Africa beat New Zealand. More details on www.irb.com

Tonight’s Scotland under-21 team

15 Alan Nash (Watsonians & East of Scotland Institute of Sport)

14 Ben Addison (Stirling County & Central Scotland Institute of Sport)
13 Ben Cairns (Currie & East of Scotland Institute of Sport)
12 Garry Law (Hawick & East of Scotland Institute of Sport)
11 Nic De Luca (Heriot's & East of Scotland Institute of Sport)

10 Michael Adamson (Glasgow Hawks)
9 Alasdhair McFarlane (GHA)

1 Stuart Corsar (Aberdeen GSFP & Grampian Institute of Sport)
2 Ross Ford (The Borders & Scottish Institute of Sport)
3 Moray Low (Aberdeen GSFP)
4 Sean Tomes (Newcastle Falcons)
5 Ian Nimmo (Heriot's & Tayside and Fife Institute of Sport)
6 Colin White (Stirling County & Central Scotland Institute of Sport)
8 John Beattie (Glasgow Rugby, GHA & West of Scotland Institute of Sport)
7 Neil Cochrane (Watsonians & East of Scotland Institute of Sport) CAPTAIN

Substitutes used: Stuart Fenwick (Ayr), James Eddie (Glasgow Rugby, GHA & West of Scotland Institute of Sport), Scott Forrest (Glasgow Hawks & West of Scotland Institute of Sport), Greig Laidlaw (Jed-Forest), Scott Wight (Melrose), Iain Kennedy (GHA & West of Scotland Institute of Sport). Not used: Stevie Lawrie (Watsonians & East of Scotland Institute of Sport)

This article was originally posted on 21-Jun-2005, 21:35 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 21-Jun-2005, 21:42.