SCOTS' HEROICS CANT STEAL SILVERWARE FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Posted: 01/Jun/08
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Scotland 7s 5, South Africa 7s 14
Though the heavens opened over Murrayfield, nothing could dampen the spirits of the home crowd as Scotland's vocal support willed its Plate semi-final heroes on to greater things against their fellow finalists.

From their own lineout, the South Africans crashed into the Scotland defence and stayed big to offload. Fabian Juries had too much pace and, under two minutes into the first half, crossed the line, the try duly converted by Stefan Basson. 0-7.

Inside Scotlands own five metre line, Colin Gregor put in a crossfield kick to Chris Fusaro who attempted to hold on but let the ball escape. Scotland managed to regain possession however, but didnt make life easy for themselves as it took several attempts to get the ball out of their own danger area.

Two lineouts later, Scotland were inside the South Africa 22 and mounting an attack of their own. Greig Laidlaw slid over the line, hampered by three South African defenders on his back, and was turned over. As he struggled to ground the ball it was dislodged and the half-time whistle sounded.

Half time - 0-7

Just under thirty seconds into the second half, Andrew Turnbull tried to run the ball from his own 22 and was smothered. The ball was knocked on, the visitors pounced on it and punished the Scots as they slipped on the wet surface in a desperate bid to bring the attack to an end. Frankie Horne crossed the whitewash with the try converted by Stefan Basson. 0-14

Midway through the half, however, the tide turned as Greig Laidlaw soaked in the defence in midfield to send Chris Fusaro away in the corner. Scotlands number six had the legs on a chasing Mpho Mbiyozo to get to the line and put five on the board for Scotland. A missed Colin Gregor penalty failed to add to the total, however. 5-14

Into the last minute and South Africa were down to six men as Jonathan Mokuena picked up a yellow card for playing the ball back through his legs.

The Scots fought valiantly to the final hooter, with a last lineout ball picked off by Ben Addison and offloaded to Colin Gregor who crossed the line at the death though the ball was judged a knock-on.

Final score: 5-14

After the game, Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell said: "Theres still massive disappointment not to get the win but there are still huge positives to take from the experience.

Those players just stood toe-to-toe with some of the best sides in the world so Id say its definitely up there as one of the best weekends for Scotland 7s."

Scotland 7s: Scott Forrest, Jim Thompson, Chris Fusaro, Colin Gregor, Mike Adamson, Greig Laidlaw, Andrew Turnbull
Substitutes: Steven Lawrie for Fusaro, Grant Anderson for Thompson and Ben Addison for Turnbull

This article was posted on 1-Jun-2008, 20:22 by Hugh Barrow.