SCOTLAND U17 CONTINUE WINNING WAYS
Thursday, 09 April 2009
Scotland U17 (53) – (3) Belgium
Scotland's under-17 development squad made it two wins out of two games played, at this year's Millfield Festival, with a resounding nine-try win over their Belgian counterparts.
Head Coach Bryan Easson made 11 changes to today’s starting line-up, from the opening game, ensuring that all 26 squad members have now begun a game.
"It was a good performance from the boys, especially after the high of Wednesday night’s win,” said Easson.
“The first five minutes were quite slow but once we got into the game, with the wind behind our backs, we steamed ahead with six tries in the first half. The second half was always going to be difficult, playing against the wind, but we were able to play a little bit wider, wore them down and, with ten minutes to go, scored three tries.”
Alex Allan and Ross Inglis each scored two tries with one apiece from Murray McConnell, Stuart Hogg, Malcolm Peacock, Aidan McCall Hagen and Jack Ferguson. Four conversions from Fraser Gillies completed the total.
The players will now undergo some rehab, video analysis and light training over the two days before their final Festival fixture, against Wales (Sunday 12 April, k/o 9.30am), determined to build on their success.
Said Easson: “I’ve seen a huge change in the boys this week – even from Wednesday’s game to today’s match – and it’s important that we finish off the tournament with a solid performance. We learned some good lessons from the England game – even though we won, there were areas where we could have improved. Every time we win a game it’s a case of let’s move on, let’s move forward.”
The format of the Millfield International Festival – in which each of the eight teams plays three matches (35 minutes each way) – is on development, by bringing groups of young players from different countries together at the Somerset school over the Easter holiday period. All 26 members of the Scotland squad will start at least one match, and play at least one half.
For more match action shots, go to the U17 webs site gallery at:
http://www.scotlandrugbyteam.org/component/option,com_joomgallery/Itemid,74/func,viewcategory/catid,81/
Scotland U17 Starting XV
15 Aiden McCall Hagen (St Aloysius’ College)
14 Guy Skivington-Jones (Merchiston Castle School)
13 Jack Ferguson (George Watson’s College)
12 Jamie Urquhart (Dollar Academy)
11 Ross Inglis (Calderside Academy / Hamilton)
10 Fraser Gillies (Edinburgh Academy)
9 John Adams (Aberdeen Grammar)
1 Alex Allan (Sedbergh School)
2 Jack MacFarlane (Gourock HS / Greenock Wanderers)
3 Gavin Robertson (Earlston HS / Melrose Wasps)
4 William Kay (Boroughmuir)
5 Fraser Wem (Hampton School / Wasps)
6 Andrew Nagle (Jed Thistle)
7 Matthew Walker (Boroughmuir)
8 Malcolm Peacock (George Watson’s College) (Captain)
Substitutes used:
Fergus Scott (Currie Colts) (on for 2)
Fraser Watt (East Kilbride) (on for 3)
Craig Ferguson (Glasgow HS) (on for 4)
Ben Johnstone (Stewart’s Melville College ) (on for 8)
Murray McConnell (Lenzie Academy / West of Scotland RFC) (on for 9)
Stuart Hogg (Hawick Wanderers) (on for 10)
Jack Bradford (Worksop College) (on for 12)

This article was posted on 10-Apr-2009, 10:38 by Hugh Barrow.