Win for Glasgow back-up team
aside this afternoon’s challenge from the Scotland U20 squad with a 39-11 victory amidst cold and windy conditions at the Warriors’ training base at Whitecraigs RFC.
Seeking a physical test against the Warriors, the U20s received exactly that as the professional outfit fielded 12 fulltime professionals, including four internationalists, in their starting XV.

The Scots started the game showing plenty of fight and determination and converted their efforts into points with an early penalty from fullback Peter Horne. However Horne’s opposite number, Glasgow fullback Colin Shaw, touched down shortly after. Stand-off Conor Davis made the initial break and offloaded to Shaw who found a clear path to the line. Colin Gregor converted.

The Warriors then edged further in front with their second try. This time from Chris Kinloch who received a wide pass from Shaw noticing the winger’s opportunity to take advantage of an overlap.

The Scots fought back with a late try from winger Adam McKenzie but it wasn’t enough to take the lead at the break.

Twelve minutes into the second period, flanker Stevie Swindall was next to touch down, taking advantage of the extra numbers as one member of the U20s found himself in the sin bin.

Horne slotted another penalty to narrow the gap to just eight points, but it was just after the hour mark that the flood gates opened.

Hooker Pat MacArthur found the line in the third phase after a line-out on the right touchline before lock Opeta Palepoi crashed over in the corner just three minutes later.

Alex Dunbar grabbed the Warriors’ sixth try before Richie Vernon claimed the seventh and final score to seal a healthy victory.

Glasgow Warriors: Colin Shaw; José María Núñez Piossek, Graham Hogg (Hawick)*, Andrew Henderson, Chris Kinloch; Conor Davis (West of Scotland), Colin Gregor; Jon Welsh, Eric Milligan, Ed Kalman, Neal Patrick (Boroughmuir)*, Opeta Palepoi, Stevie Swindall, Calum Forrester, Johnnie Beattie

Substiutes: Pat MacArthur (Ayr)*, Calum McConnachie (Hillhead-Jordanhill), Grant Gilchrist (Stirling County)**, Richie Vernon, Alan Dymock (GHA), Alex Dunbar (Selkirk)*, Steven Wilson (Heriot’s)*

* = Member of Scottish Rugby’s Contracted National Academy
** = Member of Scottish Rugby’s Area Institute Supported National Academy

Scotland U20 squad

Forwards

David Morton (Bridgwater and Albion), Gavin Cameron (Stirling County), Douglas Orr (Haddington), Grant Shiells (Kelso), Fraser Brown (Watsonians), Finlay Gillies (Heriot’s), Ryan McConnell (Peebles), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Nick Campbell (Glasgow Hawks), James Taylor (Loughborough University), Chris Fusaro (Heriot’s), Neil Rodger (Haddington), Tom Drennan (Edinburgh Accies), Struan Dewar (Heriot’s)

Backs

Peter Jericevich (Glasgow Hawks), Henry Pyrgos (Wimbourne), Cameron Brown (Loughborough University), Andrew White (Glasgow Hawks), Robbie McGowan (Stirling County), Robbie Johnston (Leeds University and Leeds Carnegie), Paul Loudon (Durham University and Edinburgh Accies), Ashleigh McCulloch (Aberdeen Grammar), Grant Anderson (Ayr), Adam McKenzie (Darlington Mowden Park and Northumbria University), Peter Horne (West of Scotland

This article was posted on 13-Jan-2009, 14:24 by Hugh Barrow.