| SCOTS’ UNBEATEN RUN SECURES CUP QUALIFICATION |
| Saturday, 29 May 2010 | |
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Question: When was the last time Scotland scored 15 tries and defeated the World Cup champions in one afternoon? Answer: Day one of the 2010 Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s!
The Scotland 7s team set the national stadium alight today with some breathtaking rugby sevens as they swept aside all three teams ranked above them in Pool D - Fiji, Samoa and World Cup holders Wales - in front of a zealous Murrayfield crowd. The only other team to enjoy an unbeaten run on day one was eight-time IRB Sevens World Series champions New Zealand. The Scots will now play England in the Cup quarter-finals at 11.55am tomorrow (Sunday 30 May).
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE TO BUY ON THE DAY! Afterwards, coach Stephen Gemmell, said: “Naturally I’m thrilled but I’m just delighted with that group of players. “They were under a lot of pressure. I don’t think anyone gave us a chance of beating all three teams on day one apart from the team and the management in the changing room.” “They’ve been magnificent and played some great rugby against three quality teams. “They’re happy in the changing room but they know they have a massive game tomorrow against England.” On his Cup quarter-final opponents, Gemmell continued: “It’s important that we don’t let the fact that it’s England run away with us. “We need to play our game and play it better than the three games today.” Not only did Gemmell witness an outstanding display from his players, but he also noted the fervent support from the home fans at Murrayfield, all of whom, and more, will play their part in Scotland’s bid for success tomorrow. “Probably the most important thing for us today has been the crowd – they have been unbelievable. “What a noise when you go onto the pitch. They’ve kept us going when we’ve been on edge. “I hope they’ve enjoyed it and I thoroughly hope lots of people come back again tomorrow. “Not only the people that were here but maybe others will take a look at the results and say they want to be a part of that.” POOL D, GAME 1: FIJI 14-31 SCOTLAND The home team bounced back from their disappointment in London last weekend to bring the national stadium to life with some world class sevens rugby. The Scots began the match patiently and eventually broke free through John Houston. Roddy Grant and Ben Cairns carried the ball upfield where Houston continued in support. The Edinburgh centre, who had initiated the move, received the final pass and slid over. Greig Laidlaw converted, 0-7.
Scotland then sought to advance once more. Fiji, always difficult to deal with in open play, collected an erratic pass from Ben Cairns. They used an overlap out wide on the left and, with a two-on-one against Andrew Turnbull, used the extra man to send Randall Kamea in for the score. Ilai Tinai converted, 7-14. The hooter signalled the end of the first half while Scotland were in possession. More patient play ensued from the Scots, who did well to keep their composure as the Murrayfield crowd roared them on. Playing tight on the right flank, Turnbull brought some spark back into the attack and tangled up the defence to let Roddy Grant burst through for the third Scottish score of the half. Half-time score: Fiji 7-19 Scotland The second half began with Fiji winning their own re-start and they duly attacked Scotland’s line and, while the danger was cleared with a huge clearance kick from Cairns, the ball was hacked ahead by Isake Katonibau who dribbled the ball underneath the posts and touched down. Tinai converted, 14-19. Mark Robertson took the field for Shaw during the conversion attempt and made an immediate impact. The winger was poaching space out wide on the left where he received a long pass. He then proceeded to dance his way through the entire Fijian defence to score a magnificent solo effort with his first touch of the ball. Laidlaw converted, 14-26. The match was then all wrapped up, much to the delight of the home fans, with another sublime Scottish try. Scotland tracked their way backwards in a bid to organise their attack when Laidlaw jolted through the Fijian line. Robertson supported and soon play made its way to the right where Turnbull gassed his trailing defenders for the final score, 14-31. Fulltime score: Fiji 14-31 Scotland Scotland 7s v Fiji: Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), John Houston (Edinburgh), Ally Hogg (Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Colin Shaw*, Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh) POOL D, GAME 2: USA 12-35 SCOTLAND Another five star performance bore five fantastic tries for the home side as John Houston, Ben Cairns and Mark Robertson all crossed against one of the world’s Olympic superpowers, USA, with Andrew Turnbull claiming a try double. Scotland kicked-off towards the South stand at Murrayfield and soon threatened to cross the American line. However, they conceded a penalty and, as they countered up the left wing, a tap tackle attempt from Ben Cairns didn’t make contact with Blaine Scully’s leg and he went over for the score. Marco Bernard converted, 7-0. Despite the early set back, Scotland were soon back in the USA scoring zone, but the ball was in American hands and grounded to bring play back for a scrum on the five metre line. John Houston and Roddy Grant tried to take the direct route to the line, getting sandwiched in various tackles, before Houston received the ball in enough space to slice through. Laidlaw converted, 7-7. The USA, the battled back into Scottish territory and set up camp inside the Scotland 22. Despite Hogg being present at the breakdown, no attempt was made to challenge for the ball and, spotting the back-rower flat on his feet, Colin Hawley picked the ball up and nipped around the fringe to dot down in the corner, 12-7. Half-time score: USA 12-7 Scotland With just one try recorded for the home team in the first-half, Scotland cashed-in their scoring potential the second. Andrew Turnbull broke clear inside his own half and outpaced the American defence before rounding the sweeper to touch down between the posts and take the lead for Scotland. Laidlaw converted, 12-14. Ben Cairns was next to score through a simple show of hands from a ruck on the USA 22, before Turnbull was on the score sheet once again, 12-21. As the ball was worked down the line the winger double-stepped and zipped through a gap that no-one knew even existed, Laidlaw converted once again, 12-28. The final try came from Mark Robertson who continued to make an immediate impact on his return to the field, just as he had done in Scotland’s first tie of the day. A short pass from Lee Jones put him in for the score. Adamson converted, 12-35. Fulltime score: USA 12-35 Scotland Scotland 7s v USA: Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), John Houston (Edinburgh), Ally Hogg (Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Colin Shaw*, Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh) POOL D, GAME 3: WALES 22-31 SCOTLAND Flanker Roddy Grant was tireless in the opening stages, tidying up any scrappy play as he scurried around the deck securing possession. Ally Hogg went on a looping run round the outside and offloaded to Ben Cairns. Cairns then released Houston, who slid in at the corner but didn’t touch down, he cleverly kept the ball off the deck, sprung back to his feet in the in-goal area and raced for the posts where he dotted down unchallenged, making the conversion attempt a lot easier for Greig Laidlaw, 0-7. Wales were soon in possession and, after Colin Shaw had been bundled into touch, Lee Rees chipped over the top of Cairns and burned past him to pluck the ball from the bounce to collect and run in for the score, 7-7. Wales’ restart didn’t go the required ten metres so play was brought back to the half-way line for a Scotland free-kick. Laidlaw took a quick tap and sent the ball down the line. As Scotland moved upfield the scrum-half received the ball back and eventually released Roddy Grant who finished what looked like a move straight from the training ground right under the posts. Laidlaw converted, 7-14. Laidlaw was once again central to another Scotland score at the conclusion of the first-half. A simple pass out to Colin Shaw was enough to give Scotland a 14 point advantage at the break. Half-time score: Wales 7-21 Scotland An unconverted try from Cairns kick-started the second-half before Alex Walker crossed for Wales, 14-26. As Grant had been crucial to getting a grip of this game, it was fitting that he made the score sheet towards the end. Houston tied up the Welsh defence in midfield and passed to Grant who spun out of a trio of Welsh tacklers to run in between the uprights, 14-33. Alex Walker grabbed his second try of the game but it was to be a consolation score as the Scottish support rose to its feet for their undefeated idols. Fulltime score: Wales 21-33 Scotland Scotland 7s v Wales: Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), John Houston (Edinburgh), Ally Hogg (Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Colin Shaw*, Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh) Scotland 7s squad to compete at the IRB Sevens World Series in Edinburgh (29 & 30 May): Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh) CAPTAIN*, Mike Adamson*, Alex Blair (Edinburgh Accies)**, Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Chris Fusaro (Heriot's)**, Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Ally Hogg (Edinburgh), John Houston (Edinburgh), Lee Jones (Selkirk)**, Mark Robertson (Edinburgh), Colin Shaw*, Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh) * = Scotland 7s contracted player Pool D - Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s Scotland's Pool D results and fixtures on day one of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s |
After the Fijian re-start, the ball spilled loose. Colin Shaw, one of Scotland’s fulltime sevens internationalists, scooped the ball up and had the pace to beat his opposite man to the line. Laidlaw converted, 0-14.| < Prev | Next > |
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