SCOTS SNAP UP FIRST TROPHY ON SEVENS CIRCUIT IN DUBAI
Saturday, 03 December 2011
Hat-trick try hero, Andrew Turnbull helped Scotland 7s pick up their first piece of silverware in the HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai today.
The Scots were outstanding in their final game of the tournament as they looked to do one better than in Australia and win the Bowl final. They did just that putting 26 points past the United States (26-0).
Just like in yesterday’s last game it was a hat-trick from try-machine Turnbull that inspired the victory. He also scored in the opening two matches earning a grand total of six tries across the entire day. This made him the Dubai 7s leading try and points scorer, with ten touchdowns.


Head coach, Graham Shiel, said: “First of all well done to each and everyone of the players. They have shown some real character this weekend and produced a fantastic result.
“The games this weekend have been tough but it’s brilliant to get something tangible and be able to show something for our efforts. The players have been working really hard and deserved this trophy.
“Our objective in Dubai was to put six strong performances together that showed improvements from Australia and we have certainly achieved that.
“Day two is always difficult but we controlled each game well, including Portugal. The boys had learned from last week to close out games and secure wins, which we did in all three matches today.
“Andrew has just been outstanding this weekend. It’s really special to be involved with a team who has a player, who has now scored over 100 series tries, and who in doing so is inspiring all the players to perform well.”
Scottish Rugby’s chief executive, Mark Dodson, added “Many congratulations to the Scotland 7s team for winning their first trophy this season. The players have put in a series of great performances and I’m delighted for all of them and the back-room staff.
“The hard work the team has put in in recent weeks has been outstanding and I wish them all the best as they now travel to South Africa for the third leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.”
The Scots started day two with a flying start beating the United Arab Emirates 40-5. Ross Miller, Turnbull and Kerr Gossman all touched down in the first period going in at the break with a 21-5 lead.
They then made sure the game was well and truly theirs with, Turnbull, Peter Horne and James Fleming, adding a further three tries.
In this game Colin Gregor and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne shared the kicking duties, knocking over five conversions between them.
The semi-final against Portugal was a much closer affair, with the Scots edging past their opponents, 19-17. The Scots flew ahead in the first-half with tries from Horne, Turnbull and Mark Cairns.
However, in the second-half Portugal fought back and managed to equal the Scots try count, as David Mateus, Goncalo Foro and Aderito Esteves all touched down, but the final score came down to the boot and the Portuguese were unable to put over the conversions.
In the final the Scots dominated the possession and didn’t allow USA any ball at all. This led to them scoring two tries on either side of the break to win the silverware, and as well as Turnbull scoring a hat-trick, Gregor touched down and added three conversions to their tally.
The Scots now travel to South Africa where they will take on Morocco, New Zealand and France on Friday 9 December.
Dubai Day One:
Wales 14-7 Scotland
Australia 24-12 Scotland
Scotland 19-14 Canada
Dubai Day Two:
Scotland 40-5 UAE
Scotland 19-17 Portugal
Scotland 26-0 USA
Scotland 7s squad: Adam Ashe, Mark Cairns*, James Eddie, Michael Fedo, James Fleming, Colin Gregor, Kerr Gossman, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Peter Horne, Ross Miller*, Scott Riddell*
*sportscotland institute supported players

This article was posted on 3-Dec-2011, 18:08 by Hugh Barrow.