Youngsters praised for festival efforts
TWO Gala youngsters have been congratulated for their efforts in Scotland’s U18s Six Nations Festival campaign.
A last-gasp penalty secured the young Scots a 20-17 win over hosts Italy in Parma in their final match of the tournament.
Gala’s Nairn Moncrieff and Mac Rutherford were selected in the squad to represent their country in the festival.
A Galashiels Academy spokesperson said: “Well done to Mac Rutherford and Nairn Moncrieff who have represented their families, town, rugby club and school so admirably in the U18 Nations Rugby Championship in Parma, Italy.”
The U18s started the contest by beating Georgia, during which Moncrieff notched a try.
The duo were in the starting XV as the Scots were beaten by England in the second game.
Against Italy, having gone 17-0 down in 32 minutes, the young side rallied to find a way to win, making it two wins from three in the competition.
Moncrieff started the match, with Rutherford named among the replacements.
Pietro Chelli slotted an early penalty to give his side an early lead.
The first try came in the 12th minute, and it was Italy who scored. And the hosts got a second try in the 32nd minute.
With a minute left of the half, Scotland got themselves on the board and back in the match. After a brilliant driving maul took Joe Roberts close, Christian Lindsay carried to inches short and from the next phase Henry Armstrong found space, sidestepped the last defender and dived over.
Four minutes into the second half, Scotland won a penalty at the scrum and Hamish MacArthur went for goal. From around 35 metres out and straight in front, his kick dissected the posts.
And the young Scots drew level in the 45th minute. It was started by an excellent break down the left by Jamie Thomson, who found the lively MacArthur on his inside shoulder to finish it off.
With less than two minutes, Italy were penalised at a driving maul and MacArthur kicked Scotland into the lead for the first time from out wide left.
With the last play, Italy kicked a penalty to the right corner and mauled for the line from the resulting lineout, but Scotland’s pack defended resolutely and trapped the ball, bringing the game, and the festival, to an end.