Rugby: Scotland U18 35-12 Portugal U18

Scotland under-18 dominated possession to beat Portugal in the FIRA/AER European championship in Madrid yesterday.

The Scots scored six tries and now move forward to the fifth place play-off on Saturday.

They led 13-5 by half-time, having recovered from an opening try by Portugal. Ed Farquharson continued his prolific try-scoring form, claiming the first score for the Scots, then Ben Cooper’s penalty was soon augmented by a try from full-back Gavin Lowe.

Farquharson dotted down again in the second half and Lowe also completed his brace. Cooper converted that score and, although Portugal replied with a converted try, Scotland finished strongly with further tries from Sam Moncur and Andrew Cramond. They will play either Italy or Georgia in their final match on Saturday.

Scotland U18: Gavin Lowe (Ayr); Ed Farquharson (Aberdeen Grammar Rugby/Cults Academy), Cameron Mackenzie-Lawrie (Warwick School), Frankie Robson (Kelso HS/Kelso), Sam Moncur (St Ambrose College/Sale Sharks); Ben Cooper (Sedbergh School), Alex Glashan (Edinburgh Academy, capt); D’arcy Rae (Kilmarnock), Blair Jardine (Kilmarnock/Carrick Academy), Ross Murray (Dollar Academy/Stirling County), Duncan Campbell (Robert Gordon’s College/Mackie Academy FP), Neil Irvine-Hess (George Watson’s College), Tommy Spinks (Fettes College), Robbie Tait (Millfield) and Cameron Turner (Robert Gordon’s College). Subs: James Malcolm (Hutchesons’ GS/GHA) for Jardine, Cameron Fenton (Strathallan/Howe of Fife) for Rae, Andrew Cramond (Royal HS/BATS) for Campbell, Murdo McAndrew (Howe of Fife/Strathallan) for Glashan, Neil Herron (West of Scotland/Jordanhill School) for Robson, Sam Pecqueur (Trinity Academy) for McAndrew. Unused: Chris Barnes (HS of Glasgow/Glasgow Hawks), Chris Dean (Edinburgh Academy), Callum Irvine (Harrogate) and Shaun MacDonald (Dunblane HS/Stirling County).