Scotland 7’s will compete in the Manchester 7’s Cup quarter-finals today (Sunday 14 September), following two victories against Italy (24-19) and Georgia (45-0) yesterday.
The Scots will play Russia at 11.06am, at the AJ Bell Stadium, as they look to improve on their third place finish, in the last Rugby Europe tournament in Moscow back in June.
After the disappointment of a, 5-12 loss to Spain, the side grew in confidence and composure, as each of the remaining ties past.
SRU
Head coach, Calum MacRae, said: “This morning was your classic first tie where we had a slow start. That ultimately cost us the game.
“The pleasing thing is that our performances grew as the afternoon went on. We were very decisive in our actions around the breakdown against Georgia and that bred confidence. We have now set the bar high at the end of day one and I’d expect the starting point tomorrow to be the same level of intensity.
“Our main focus has been defence, so to nil a team in international competition was really pleasing.
“Russia will be a similar challenge to Georgia, only they will have more dynamic runners and they will be aggressive around the contact area. It is up to us to set the tone at the breakdown.”
Colin Gregor, who scored the most Scottish points and tries today, was the only scorer in the side’s first tie of the Manchester 7’s. The abbreviated national team slumped to a 5-12 defeat at the hands of Spain this morning.
The Scots’ opponents dominated possession and tries came early for Sempere EchebarrÍa Fernández, which he himself converted and Feijoo Pla Vegué.
At half time the score was 0-12, but Scotland came out and looked more intentful, in the second period, which resulted in Gregor’s try, after two minutes.
However, despite a late surge in attack, a spattering of mistakes denied the team anymore points, with the game ending 5-12.
Against Italy, Scotland put in a improved performance and came away with a 24-12 victory at the home of Sale Sharks.
James Johnstone set the tone of the match, collecting the kick-off from Italy’s Steven Bortolussi and injecting pace on the wing, enough to cross the whitewash from 60 metres.
Some five minutes later, new cap, Max McFarland scored his first international short-game try, with a clever show and go and turn-of-pace.
Improvements with each game
After the break Gregor and Colin Shaw touched down to cement the victory. Gregor converted two of the four scores.
It seemed to be the closing minutes of each half when Scotland allowed Italy to creep back into the game with Marcello De Gaspari scoring a brace and Mosese Tavutunawailala the last try of the game. Bortolussi converted two tries. The tie ended 24-19.
By game three, Scotland were in their stride, putting in a convincing 45-0 victory over Georgia.
The team were composed and fought for each other throughout the game, this was most evident when James Johnstone made a break on two occasions and both times had Gregor on his shoulder to send him into space and over the whitewash.
Also when Georgia were in possession and Scott Riddell floored every body that came in his path.
Sevens tries were scored in the match, with Robertson and Gregor both scoring a brace. Struan Dewar, Lewis Young and Wight joined them on the scoreboard.
Gregor converted three tries in this game and Wight two, concluding the match 45-0.
Manchester 7’s day one (Rugby Europe)
Scotland 5-12 Spain
- Try: Colin Gregor
- Starting team: Scott Riddell, Struan Dewar, James Johnstone, Colin Gregor, Mark Robertson, Scott Wight (captain) and James Fleming.
- Replacements: Nyle Godsmark, Max McFarland, Gregor Young (all 10 mins), Colin Shaw (12 mins) and Lewis Young (not used).
Scotland 24-19 Italy
- Tries: James Johnstone, Max McFarland, Colin Gregor and Colin Shaw
- Conversions: Colin Gregor (2)
- Starting team: Scott Riddell, Struan Dewar, James Johnstone, Colin Gregor, Mark Robertson, Max McFarland and Scott Wight (captain).
- Replacements: Colin Shaw, Nyle Godsmark, Lewis Young (all 10 mins), James Fleming and Gregor Young (not used).
Scotland 45-0 Georgia
- Tries: Mark Robertson (2), Struan Dewar, Colin Gregor (2), Lewis Young and Scott Wight
- Conversions: Colin Gregor (3) and Scott Wight (2)
- Starting team: Scott Riddell, Struan Dewar, James Johnstone, Colin Gregor, Mark Robertson, Nyle Godsmark and Scott Wight (captain).
- Replacements: Gregor Young, Max McFarland (both 9 mins), James Fleming, Lewis Young (both 11 mins) and Colin Shaw (13 mins).