It’s another night at Hive Stadium, bright lights beaming down on the home side with visitors from Wales. With a win against Scotland last year, can Wales make this two in a row or will the Scots finally get a win under their belts for this years U20s Six Nations? Alex Brattesani reports:
Image Credit – Scottish Rugby
The crowds are lively, chanting for their nations back and forth. Since the Wales kickoff, it looks like an even-steven game, both sides bringing intensity and discipline. Just before the 5th minute, Wales number 13, Elijah Evans makes a break for it on the wing but number 11 Fergus Watson catches up and crushes Wales dream of an early first try. The Scots maintain defensive pressure for a minute however the tables turn as another Welshman, 15 Tom Bowen, charges for the line. It’s a close call but Scottish captain Freddy Douglas cuts Bowen short.
The Welsh are try hungry and are continously pushing Scotland’s defense. The 13th minute welcomes Scotland into the oposition’s defensive half with a clean lineout, attempting to transition play onto the other side of the pitch. Yet the visitors are quick to react and shut down Scotland’s first chance of attack.
Wales’ Harry Ford leaves the pitch with injury and is replaced by 22, Harri Wilde. Shortly after this change, the Scots go into “attack mode” with immense pressure, breaking the red wall with Freddy Douglas finding the gap and leaping over the line. Matthew Urwin follows with a conversion in the 18th minute.
A 20 minute red card is shown to Wales’ 9 Logan Franklin after an illegal clear-out, leaving the visitors a man down – an ideal position for the Scottish side, but will the boys in blue grasp the opportunity?
Only a minute post red card, the home side give it all they have with a fast transition across the pitch. 15, Jack Brown leads the Welsh defense astray and passes off to Nairn Moncrieff home alone on the wing, darts for the try line and scores the second try of the game. Scotland up 12-0 in the 27th minute.
Despite the knock-back, number 1, Ioan Emanuel squeezes past the Scottish defense, putting Wales on the scoreboard. Wilde follows with a conversion.
After the surprise attack, Scotland are back, dominating the Welsh defense. From a fast drive down the line, Urwin dropkicks across the field to Moncrieff on the right wing, performs a 360 spin, slyly passes to Jack Brown with the final touch. Urwin follows with a successful conversion. Scotland 19 – Wales 7.
A chaotic transition in the Scottish defense occurs. Scotland’s 9, Noah Cowan is sent away for a Head Injury Assessment after Wales 5, Tom Cottle tackles late, recieving a red card for the full game. Now with 13 men, Wales are fighting harder than ever against a full stacked Scottish side.
Half time Score: Scotland 19 – Wales 7
The second half begins: Scotland enforcing pressure into the Welsh defensive half, attempting to push towards the try line. However the Scots conceded a penalty after holding onto the ball. Wales gain a man after the 20 minute red card finished, welcoming number 21, Sion Davies onto the pitch as scrum half. Despite being a man down for the remainder of the game, Wales are keeping the intensity up.
The 49th minute welcomes Scottish replacements: Seb Stephen, Jake Shearer and Bart Godsell on for Oliver McKenna, Joe Roberts and Charlie Moss. Post the Scottish switcheroo, Wales’ 11 Aidan Boshoff is in a sprinting match against the Scottish defense to the end zone. It’s a close call but the scots manage to prevent Boshoff’s chance of scoring the visitor’s second try.
A Welsh lineout in the 54th minute, only a few metres away has the visitor’s crowd on the edge of the seats. What looks like a promising opportunity turns into lost possession. Only a few moments later after a failed Scottish lineout, Harry Thomas retrieves the ball and sneaks through a gap in the navy blue sea, securing the second try for his squad. Scotland 19 – Wales 12.
As the gap starts to close, tensions are high on and off the pitch – can Scotland maintain the lead?
The 65th minute welcomes Scotland into the Wales’ half. Scotland recieve a penalty, in clear view right in front of the posts. With ease, Issac Coates adds to the score board, widening the gap for the home side: Scotland 22 – Wales 12.
10 minutes to go and fatigue is starting to set. Scotland remain disciplined and Wales are as fiery as ever, pushing for chances against the blue wall yet play transitions up the pitch. A successful Scottish lineout manifests a second try for Freddy Douglas. Scotland up 27, Wales 12.
Only a couple of minutes left on the clock, a battle for possession leads to a fiesty faceoff. After a 2 minute cooling off period, the boys are back in action, both sides hungry for one more try.
80 minutes has flown by and Scotland have won their first game of the tournament whilst also breaking the losing streak against the Welsh side. The boys in blue, the home crowd and coach Kenny Murray are delighted after the win.
Final Score: Scotland 27 – Wales 12
Double try scorer and Scotland captain, Freddy Douglas is deservingly awarded Player of the Match.
Coach Kenny reflects on the boys’ campaign so far and what this win means for the young squad: “It’s always a tough old campaign when you’re not winning games and you’re always really pushing to get that win for the boys. But the boys are more important there. It’s a lot of effort and a lot of energy into playing a high level rugby. So first and foremost pleased to get the win and providing a performance. A lot of really good stuff.”
The Scottish side travel to Paris next week to face France and the Scots coach is facing up to the challenge: “It’ll be a big crowd as everyone knows, you know, they’re crazy about their rugby… We go to France, pressure is all in France, people expect France to win, so we’ll go out there and play our last game at the Six Nations and go enjoy yourself and give it our best shot.”
