Borderers play part as young Scots grab opening round festival win
Moncrieff, Roberts and Leweni bring under 18s to 22-14 victory
TWO Borders youngsters played crucial roles as Scotland men’s U18s kicked off their Six Nations Festival with a win.
Tries from Gala’s Nairn Moncrieff, Joe Roberts and Sam Leweni, alongside a penalty from Peebles’ Ross Wolfenden and a solid scrum throughout meant the young Scots came out 22-14 winners in round one against Georgia.
Scotland scored first, going ahead in the 14th minute.
Two penalties conceded in quick succession by Georgia gave Wolfenden the opportunity to kick into the left corner, and from the lineout Scotland’s forwards set up the maul and drove captain Roberts over the line.
And a second try followed in the 21st minute. After an initial break in midfield from Lochlan Hodge, Roberts was involved again in a lovely offloading move down the left.
Roberts found Christian Lindsay, who popped the ball to Rory Purvis, and the back rower found Moncrieff on his inside who made it to the line. An excellent touchline conversion from Wolfenden gave Scotland a 12-point advantage.
Just before half time, Georgia got themselves back into the game when Davit Barbakadze charged through the middle and managed to ground the ball as Scotland tried to hold him up.
Georgia took the lead in the 42nd minute.
A driving maul on the left took the side in white over the line,
and although they were held up by Harry Stewart he was deemed to have entered the maul illegally and the penalty try was given.
But Scotland kept calm, regained momentum and went back in front in the 52nd minute when Wolfenden slotted over a penalty right in front of the posts.
The best try of the game came in the 65th minute. Substitute Henry Armstrong chipped over the top, then grubbered the ball on once more.
It was gathered by Leweni, who was tackled in the right corner but stretched out an arm and grounded the ball. Another excellent touchline conversion, this time from Harry Provan, put Scotland eight ahead.
Georgia pushed to close the gap in the final moments, but Scotland’s defence held firm and were worthy winners in the opening round.
Scotland: 15. Elliot Southworth
14. Sam Leweni 13. Campbell Waugh 12. Nicky Thompson
11. Nairn Moncrieff 10. Ross Wolfenden 9. Hamish MacArthur
1. Lochlan Hodge 2. Joe Roberts CAPTAIN 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty 4. Christian Lindsay 5. Dan Halkon
6. Rory Purvis 7. Harry Blackie 8. Harry Stewart
Replacements: 16. Oliver McKenna 17. Will Pearce 18. Mickey Kesson 19. Mac Rutherford 20. Sam Byrd 21. Harrison Wood 22. Ben Curtis 23. Henry Armstrong
24. Alex Bryden 25. Jamie Thomson 26. Harry Provan.