CHINA GET THE BETTER OF SCOTLAND
Posted: 29/Mar/08
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Scotland 7s 12, China 7s 19
Scotland now face an uphill struggle if they are to qualify for their tenth consecutive Cup quarter-final place as they were pipped at the post by an enthusiastic China side looking to get their first win at their home tournament.

Greig Laidlaw was first to cross the line with Mike Adamson converting.

China then replied before Colin Shaw touched down.

However, in the closing stages, two tries from China, one converted, meant the Scots would have to get a win over Kenya to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals tomorrow.

After the game, Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell said: "There's a lot of disappointment in the dressing room after that game, probably the most Ive felt since Ive been involved in rugby sevens.

We just didnt play well enough. We analysed China before the game and the guys just underperformed.

China were full of enthusiasm and managed to convert that into points as they turned the ball over on numerous occasions. Thats just not accurate enough from us and you get punished when you make little mistakes at this level."

Scotland 7s: Scott Forrest (Ayr)* CAPTAIN, Chris Fusaro (Heriot's)**, Scott Newlands (Edinburgh), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), James Thompson (Heriot's)*, Ben Addison (Stirling County)*
Substitutes: Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors) for Addison, Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) for Newlands and Roddy Grant (Heriots)* for Fusaro

* = Member of Scottish Rugby's Senior National Academy
** = Member of Scottish Rugby's Junior National Academy and supported by Area Institute of Sport

Scotland 7s' remaining Pool E fixtures at the IRB Hong Kong Sevens:
Day 2 - Kenya v Scotland, kick-off 5:28pm (local time.)

This article was posted on 29-Mar-2008, 18:37 by Hugh Barrow.