Scotland round off Six Nations in fine style

SCOTLANDUNDER-18 42 IRELAND UNDER-18 40 Scotland pulled off a fine victory over Ireland at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium in a thrilling final match at the Six Nations Under-18 Festival. A stoppage-time try by wing Finlay Callaghan and the conversion by Harry Patterson gave the Scots their first win in the competition, writes Alan Lorimer.

Scotland, despite a malfunctioning line-out in the first half, deserved the win, having outscored Ireland 6-4 in the try count. Yet, in the first quarter, they looked to be heading for a heavy defeat. “The boys showed tremendous character today,” said Scotland coach Ross Miller. “Over the three games they’ve come together very well. I thought the guys’ work-rate was phenomenal.”

Scotland trailed 14-20 at the break, with tries by Scott Clelland and Scott King, both converted by Patterson. The Scots’ pre-interval momentum continued in the second half as No 8 Ben Muncaster crashed over for two tries, with Patterson’s conversion putting his side 28-27 ahead, only for an Ireland drop goal and penalty from inside their own half to shift the momentum again.

An interception try by Cameron Furley regained the lead but again Ireland hit back with a converted score by Conor Mckee to give Ireland a 40-35 advantage. But, in stoppage time, Scotland mounted a series of attacks to allow Callaghan to cross. SCOTLAND UNDER-18: N Sweeney (Loretto); H Patterson (Fettes College), M Currie (Merchiston Castle School), S King (Heriot’s), C Furley (Saracens Academy/st Albans School); A Harley (George Watson’s College), C Scott (Preston Lodge); C Lambertson (The Royal High School), S Clelland (Ayr), D Gamble (Merchiston Castle School), A Samuel (Madras/st Leonards), J Campbell (Kelvinside Academy), G Brown (Robert Gordon’s College), H Morris (George Watson’s College), B Muncaster (Rugby School/ Leicester Tigers) Subs J Drummond (Marr) for Lamberton 42, S Whittaker (Edinburgh Accies) for Samuel 54, R Jackson (Kelvinside Academy) for Campbell 47, J Dobie (Merchiston Castle School) for Scott 35, F Callaghan (GHK) for Sweeney 14, J King (QVS/ Stirling County) for Brown 43, T Jones (Bristol Bears/sgs Filton) for Harley 68.