SCOTLAND 21 SOUTH AFRICA 22

South Africa 7s 22, Scotland 7s 21
Scotland were denied their second win of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s as South Africa - the world's second best sevens side  slotted a last gasp penalty to win.

After the game, Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell said: "Were massively disappointed and I really feel for the guys in the changing room because they just pushed the second best team in the world right to the wire.

We need to get our heads up now, although were still in control because if we win our next game then were through to the Cup quarter-finals."

The senior Scotland national team formed a guard of honour for the Scotland 7s team as they ran onto the field and that entry onto the field mustve given the sevens players inspiration as they took an early lead.

The Scots scored two of their three tries in the opening exchanges which raised the roof at a sunny and vibrant Murrayfield.

Despite a nervy start, Scotland stayed in control and managed to work their way out of their 22 and gain possession for the first time since kick-off.

Their first score came from Colin Shaw, showing he is a world class finisher, with Colin Gregor converting.

Their second try involved Shaw once again as he was the catalyst which took Scotland out of their own 22. Richie Vernon carried the ball up-field before the Scots calmly gathered themselves as they used the support in Turnbull and Thompson to cross the line. Gregor converted.

Then, despite the half-time siren sounding around the stadium a poor decision from Greig Laidlaw gave the game a whole different dimension at the break. Laidlaw, who wanted to get the ball wide to continue Scotlands momentum, tried to kick the ball out wide instead of taking the safe option and what could have been a great move turned out to be costly as Danwel Damas touched down. Stefan Basson converted.

In the second half, Scotland worked the ball through the hands, making it do all the running for them, which generated an opportunity for Andrew Turnbull to show his pace.

Gunning towards the line, Turnbull showed a quick stop-start and beat his man to the line. Gregor converted from out wide.

Laidlaw then made up for his earlier mistake as he teamed up with captain Scott Forrest to hold up a South African attacker over the line.

Two late tries for South Africa, the first from MJ Mentz and another for Danwel Damas, gave them an opportunity to draw the game.

A turn in events saw Basson miss the final conversion, meaning Scotland retained the lead, but a late penalty saw him make amends as he slotted the drop goal to take the much needed victory.

This article was originally posted on 31-May-2008, 14:44 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 31-May-2008, 17:25.