Scotland 7s 29, Portugal 7s 7
The Scotland 7s team swept aside the challenge of Portugal at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai this afternoon to progress through to the final of the Plate competition.

The Scots will meet Australia in the Plate final at 3:30pm GMT as the Aussies beat the Tonga (22-19) earlier today.

Scotland’s coach, Stephen Gemmell, said: “That was much better. We just played like we know we can play. We were consistent in both attack and defence.

“We spoke after the disappointment of not making the top eight that we wanted to finish ninth and we’ve given ourselves a great opportunity of achieving that.”

Scotland put on a fine display of rugby sevens scoring five tries to one with masterful performances from captain Colin Gregor and winger Andrew Turnbull.

Gregor was first to make the scoreboard as he took the game by the scruff of the neck. He took a quick-tap penalty and chipped ahead before contesting the ball on the floor and popping the ball up to Scott Forrest who barged his way up the right flank. Gregor got back to his feet to provide the support and was there to finish off the move.

Turnbull burst into life during this encounter and crossed for his first try moments later. Gregor spotted the Portuguese defence sitting deep at the re-start so grubbered the ball to the ten metre line before unleashing Turnbull who jinked his way to the line.

Scotland completed their first-half clean sweep with a second try from Turnbull. The ball was spun wide to the right from the set piece where Turnbull stepped his opposite man and held off the sweeper before touching down to give the Scots a 15 point advantage at the half-way stage.

Half-time score: Scotland 7s 15, Portugal 7s 0

Fatigue crept into Scotland’s performance in the second half with the sheer pace of the sevens game and the baking desert heat both taking their toll.

Following a Portuguese attack, Gregor stole the ball at the breakdown and ignited a Scottish counter. Roddy Grant held play up further up-field to give the Scots a chance to re-organise their line. Turnbull eventually broke free and offloaded to Mike Adamson who ran in Scotland’s fourth score.

Pedro Leal, who has 20 full caps for Portugal, touched down for a consolation score late in the game despite the best efforts of Turnbull and replacement Rob Dewey to hold him up over the line.

However, Scotland had the last word as Turnbull claimed his hat-trick. He sent little chip ahead which bounced beautifully for him to collect and dot down.

Full-time score: Scotland 7s 29, Portugal 7s 7

Scotland 7s team v Portugal: Scott Forrest (Ayr)*, Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN, Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Roland Reid (Edinburgh), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh)
Substitutes: Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors) for Reid, Rob Dewey (Ulster) for Forrest, Rory Hutton (Hawick) for Adamson

Scotland 7s squad to compete at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai from 5-7 March: Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN, Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Rob Dewey (Ulster), Andrew Easson (Edinburgh), Scott Forrest (Ayr)*, Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Rory Hutton (Hawick)*, Roland Reid (Edinburgh), Scott Riddell (Blaydon), Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), James Thompson (Edinburgh), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh)

* = Member of Scottish Rugby’s Contracted National Academy