SCOTS GET THE PARTY STARTED
Posted: 31/May/08
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Australia 7s 7, Scotland 7s 33
Scotland got the party well and truly started at Murrayfield this morning with a comprehensive win over Australia in their first pool fixture of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s.

Scotland opened the scoring through Jim Thompson who capialised on some hard work from Andrew Turnbull on the right wing. Colin Gregor converted.

Moments later, Australia got their only score of the game, without a man crossing the line. With no time to waste, Colin Shaw took his man to ground but the referee awarded a penalty try as he deemed Shaw to have tackled a man without the ball.

Scotland fought back however, and took the game by the horns. Gregor sold a show-and-go to the defence and burst upfield. Waiting for support just over the half-way line, he slipped a neat pass to Turnbull who came in at full pace to burst over the line for the 50th try of his sevens career. Gregor converted,

Shortly after half-time, Thompson relived his first have start and crossed for another. Gregor converted once again.

Coach Stephen Gemmell then rang the changes and replacement Richie Vernon continued his fine form from the London event last weekend. The Glasgow player showed both his pace and power to side-step two defenders and drag another over the line with him. Gregor converted.

Gregor then finished the game off with a try of his own to cap off a memorable start to his 27th birthday.

More great work from Vernon meant it took two defenders to take him to ground. With the defence working hard to contain Vernon, an overlap developed out on the right wing which enabled Gregor to cross for Scotland's fifth and final try.

After the game, Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell said: "The boys were magnificent. We said that we needed to start from where we left off last weekend and I couldnt have asked any more.

Australia are well renowned for their national sevens team and they are a highly ranked side, that says a lot for that group of players I have in the changing room."

Australia 7s: Caleb Brown, Matt Hodgson, Tim Walsh, Peter Owens, William Bishop, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Shawn MacKay

Scotland 7s: Scott Forrest, Colin Shaw, Jim Thompson, Colin Gregor, Greig Laidlaw, Andrew Turnbull, Richie Vernon
Substitutes: Chris Fusaro for Shaw, Mike Adamson for Thompson

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This article was originally posted on 31-May-2008, 11:41 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 31-May-2008, 11:41.