SCOTLAND U17 MAKE IT THREE-OUT-OF-THREE WINS AT MILLFIELD
Sunday, 12 April 2009
Scotland U17 (6) – (5) Wales A
Perfect conditions on the main pitch at Millfield School saw Scotland's under-17 development squad make it a perfect three-out-of-three, as they edged to victory over Wales, in their final fixture at the 2009 Millfield Festival this morning.
“It was 6-5 at half time, we had all the pressure after that and a couple of opportunities on the line, but Wales only managed to get into our half once in the second half,” said Head Coach Bryan Easson.
“The whole week has been an invaluable experience for the boys, both on and off the field, and it’s a case of building on what’s been achieved so far as we move forward.”
Wales scored after ten minutes, their unconverted try swiftly followed by a penalty from Scotland’s Fraser Gillies with another from the same boot after 25 minutes.
Said Easson: “We attacked in groups, defended as a unit and put in a real team performance. In terms of preparation, we’ve been spot on and we’ve only conceded one try throughout the whole tournament.
“Four weeks ago, when the players first arrived to train in St Andrew’s, they were just a group of boys who didn’t know each other. The change in them, both on and off the pitch, over the last month has been incredible. They’re now great friends and a good squad that works well together.”
The players return to Scotland tonight (Sunday), to go back to their clubs and schools, before regrouping over the summer in Valladolid, northern Spain.
An extended squad of 30 players will attend the camp to undertake strength and conditioning work, receive nutritional advice and take part in a variety of training sessions as they move into the next stage of their rugby development.
“The players are in good shape at the moment and we’ll be keeping an eye on them – and other players who may join the group – over the coming months,” said Easson.
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 started at least one match and played at least one half.
For match action photos go to the U17 squad gallery at http://www.scotlandrugbyteam.org/component/option,com_joomgallery/Itemid,74/func,viewcategory/catid,81/
Scotland U17 Starting XV
15 Harris Jones (Robert Gordon’s College)
14 Ben Francis (Epsom College)
13 Stuart Hogg (Hawick Wanderers)
12 Jack Bradford (Worksop College )
11 Aiden McCall Hagen (St Aloysius’ College)
10 Fraser Gillies (Edinburgh Academy)(Captain)
9 Murray McConnell (Lenzie Academy / West of Scotland RFC)
1 Robin Hislop (Hawick Wanderers)
2 Fergus Scott (Currie Colts)
3 Alex Allan (Sedbergh School)
4 Fraser Wem (Hampton School / Wasps)
5 Craig Ferguson (Glasgow HS)
6 Jamie Swanson (Glasgow Academy)
7 Ben Johnstone (Stewart’s Melville College )
8 Malcolm Peacock (George Watson’s College)
Substitutes used:
Fraser Watt (East Kilbride) (on for 1)
Matthew Walker (Boroughmuir) (on for 7)
Scotland U17 Development Squad

This article was posted on 14-Apr-2009, 07:26 by Hugh Barrow.