In a much improved performance from last weekend, Scotland's under-18 side ran Leeds Academy close in a 15-13 defeat away at West Park this afternoon (Sunday 28 March).

It was backs to the fore with a try from Ben Johnstone, augmented by a conversion and two penalties from Jamie Urquhart, to complete the Scots' score.

A very strong crosswind throughout the game did little to help either side. The visitors performed significantly better than they did in the loss to their Welsh counterparts last week, however, against a physical Leeds side comprising a mix of age-grade players up to under-19 level.

The squad now looks forward to travelling south again this week to compete in the international festival in Llandovery, Wales where they take on their counterparts from England, Italy and ireland over eight days.

Scotland under-18 v Leeds Academy on Sunday 28 March at West Park, Leeds

15. Jack Urquhart (Stirling County)   
14. Harris Jones (Boroughmuir)
13. Michael Crawley (Stewart's Melville College)
12. Mark Bennett (Cumnock RFC)
11. Aidan McCall Hagan (West of Scotland)
10. Harry Leonard (Brighton College)
9. Murray McConnell (Lenzie Academy / West of Scotland)(Captain)

1. Robin Hislop (Hawick Wanderers)
2. George Turner (Stewart's Melville College)
3. Alex Allan (Sedbergh School) 
4. Andrew Redmayne (Kilmarnock)
5. Mitch Eadie (Filton College)
6. Rory Sutherland (Hawick Wanderers) 
7. Adam de Ste Croix  (Boroughmuir)
8. Lawrie Seydak (Edinburgh Academy)

Substitutes (from)

Gavin Robertson (Earlston High School / Melrose Wasps)
Fraser Watt (East Kilbride)
Ryan Hood (Strathallan)
Fergus Scott (Currie)
William Kay (Boroughmuir)
Ben Johnstone (Stewart's Melville College)
Jack Bradford (Worksop College)
Sam Knudson (Aberdeen Grammar School)
Doug Day (Paviours)
Andrew Hall (Strathallan)

Scotland under-18 - international festival in Wales
Friday 2 April - Scotland under-18 v England under-18, Llandovery (kick-off 4pm)
Tuesday 6 April - Scotland under-18 v Italy under-18, Llandovery (kick-off 4pm)
Saturday 10 April - Scotland under-18 v Ireland under-18, Llandovery (kick-off 4pm)