ZI New Zealand Sevens, Scotland's day one results:
South Africa 24 - 0 Scotland, Kenya 14 – 19 Scotland, Scotland 15 – 21 Tonga
The Scotland 7s squad sought improvement once again in the third leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in New Zealand today having recorded some disappointing results in Dubai and South Africa.
However, despite stepping up a gear, they are still searching for the winning touch as they move into day two and approach the Rugby World Cup Sevens which takes place on 5-7 March in Dubai, just 27 days away.
Scotland’s opening game of the NZI New Zealand Sevens was against South Africa, who were looking to add a third title to their clean sweep of the first two tournaments on the Series.
Next up were Kenya who defeated Scotland in the Bowl quarter-final of the South Africa Sevens back in December.
Despite the Kenyans having taking the lead early on with a converted try, Roddy Grant was first to touch down for the Scots. Another converted try just before the break gave Kenya a nine point advantage at half-time.
In the second half, Scotland posted a clean sheet to snatch the victory as they notched up two converted tries through Andrew Turnbull and Mike Adamson. Colin Gregor converted both scores.
In the final outing of the day, Scotland were edged out by Tonga who were desperately in search of their first win of the day.
Tries from Roddy Grant and Colin Shaw, the second converted by Colin Gregor, kept the Scots in contention. However, a late penalty looked to seal it for the Scots before they conceded a converted try in the dying seconds as a Cup quarter-final place slipped from their grasp.
In a day of shock results, Kenya edged past the Springboks to top Pool A. Scotland finished fourth and will now face Australia in the Bowl quarter-final tomorrow at 2:06pm local time (3:06am GMT).
Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell said: “The last minute of the final game has put us out of the quarter-final.
“It was very tight, one or two errors cost us.”
He also admitted that his side must now learn to keep their composure to ensure they don’t let these opportunities slip.
“We had a lack of discipline and a lack of composure when we’re trying to impose ourselves on the opposition.
“It’s been a disappointing day but there has been some positive stuff. We got ourselves within touching distance of the quarter-finals.”
Following the results in Dubai and South Africa, it is clear to see that the squad have made improvements, however, as the squad are now counting the weeks rather than the months to the Rugby World Cup in Dubai, Gemmell is adamant that they must start to deliver.
“At this level of rugby you cant afford a period of transition. When you see Wales beating New Zealand today and USA winning against Fiji, you recognise that we need to start winning games like that.
“We’re not a million miles away from where we need to be.”
Scotland 7s team v South Africa: Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Colin Gregor (captain, Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Easson (Edinburgh), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh)+
Substitutes: Roland Reid (Edinburgh) for Shaw, Marc Teague (Edinburgh) for Easson, Graham Hogg (Hawick)* for Vernon
Scotland 7s team v Kenya: Roland Reid (Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Colin Gregor (captain, Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh)+, Marc Teague (Edinburgh)
Substitutes: Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors) for Reid, Andrew Easson (Edinburgh) for Teague
Scotland 7s team v Tonga: Roland Reid (Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Colin Gregor (captain, Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Easson (Edinburgh), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh)+
Substitutes: Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors) for Reid
Scotland 7s squad (sponsor Murray) for the next two tournaments on the IRB Sevens World Series in New Zealand and USA: Colin Gregor (captain, Glasgow Warriors), Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Easson (Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Graham Hogg (Hawick)*, Jamie Hunter (West of Scotland)*, Rory Hutton (Hawick)*, Roland Reid (Edinburgh), Scott Riddell (Blaydon)++, Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), Marc Teague (Edinburgh), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh)+, Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors)
* = Member of Scottish Rugby’s Contracted National Academy
+ = Available for Wellington tournament only
++ = Available for San Diego tournament only

This article was originally posted on 6-Feb-2009, 13:12 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 6-Feb-2009, 13:33.