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SHIELD FINAL: USA 24 - 21 Scotland USA beat Scotland in a dramatic fightback to take the Shield trophy in Adelaide. Zach Test scored early on for the Eagles but Scotland led 14-7 at the break after tries by Jim Thompson and Roddy Grant. Kevin Swiryn and Test scored after the break to put the Americans ahead but Grant scored again to edge the Scots back in front. However Matt Hawkins' late try clinched victory for the USA side. SHIELD SEMI FINAL: Scotland 17 - 14 Japan Earlier, Scotland overcame Japan to reach the final following their earlier defeat by Samoa, 27-14, in the Bowl quarter final.
Scotland started day three against Samoa in the Bowl quarter-final where the South Sea Islanders trounced their way to a 20-0 half-time lead with four unconverted tries. A fifth try, this one converted, gave Scotland a mountain to climb in order to take anything from the opening game of the day.
The lively Hefin O’Hare touched down first for the Scots, his score converted by Graham Hogg, which was duly followed up by Chris Kinloch who dotted down moments later. Jim Thompson added the extras.
After the game, Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell said: “We showed them far too much respect in the first half.
“When we went down, the boys seemed to start believing in themselves. They showed a lot more confidence in the second half.”
Three hours later, Scotland were up against Japan. A try from O’Hare got the Scots’ rolling before Japan edged in front shortly after with a converted score.
However, Roddy Grant and Thompson both crossed the whitewash before the break to give Scotland a 17-7 lead at half-time.
A very close second period saw only one try recorded as Japan came close to a comeback, but the game was to end 17-14 to Scotland.
Speaking after the final whistle, Gemmell said: “Again, we just played too much in stops and starts. We played well with ball in hand and played some good rugby sevens when we backed ourselves.
“Japan had a lot of possession in the second half so I was pleased with how our defence fronted up.”
Following their win over Japan, Scotland booked themselves a place in the Shield final against the USA who the Scots had beaten on day one of the Hong Kong tournament last weekend.
Scotland looked to be on familiar form to their win a week ago, scoring early tries through Thompson and Grant, Hogg converting both.
Revenge was on the cards for the Americans, however, and they fought back with two second half tries, one converted.
Scotland went into the closing minutes with a two point advantage as Grant touched down, Thompson slotting the conversion. But a try in the last minute of the game from the States saw them lift the Shield title.
At the end of a long weekend of competition, Gemmell said: “It’s disappointing to finish with a defeat. There were patches of good play but we lack consistency in a lot of things we do.
“There were a lot of sore bodies by the time the Shield semi-final came along, but we’re not making any excuses, we still had a chance to win that last game.
“We made one or two wrong decisions and didn’t react well enough on or off the ball.
“This weekend is gone now and we just need to look forward to the final two legs of the Series in London and Edinburgh.”
Scotland 7s team v Samoa: Scott Forrest (Ayr)* CAPTAIN, Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Andrew Easson (Edinburgh), Graham Hogg (Hawick)*, Calum MacRae (Edinburgh), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Hefin O’Hare (Glasgow Warriors)
Replacements: Scott Riddell (Blaydon) for Forrest, Chris Kinloch (Glasgow Warriors) for MacRae, Tom Bury (Boroughmuir)** for Hogg
Scotland 7s team v Japan: Scott Forrest (Ayr)* CAPTAIN, Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Scott Riddell (Blaydon), Graham Hogg (Hawick), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Hefin O’Hare (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Kinloch (Glasgow Warriors)
Replacements: Tom Bury (Boroughmuir)** for Kinloch, Calum MacRae (Edinburgh) for Thompson, Andrew Easson (Edinburgh) for Forrest
Scotland 7s team v USA: Scott Forrest (Ayr)* CAPTAIN, Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Scott Riddell (Blaydon), Graham Hogg (Hawick)*, Andrew Easson (Edinburgh), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Hefin O’Hare (Glasgow Warriors)
Replacements: Tom Bury (Boroughmuir)** for Easson |
