Scotland A 35 - 0 England Saxons: Scots a thorn in England’s side

SCOTLAND A produced a stunning performance under the Netherdale floodlights to send England Saxons back to think again about the future.

The Scots shocked England and denied their opponents even a kick at goal, and which in the end produced a startling result ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash. The Scots were rampant from the start, scored four tries without reply, and to deny England any score was even more a remarkable achievement.

There were no failures in a Scottish side and the performance will have put pressure on the current players and strengthens Andy Robinson’s squad.

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It was no surprise that Duncan Weir was named Man of the Match thanks to his try, three conversions and three penalties, but it could have been given to any player in the side.

Coach Michael Bradley praised the performance of the team and said: “The boys were determined to beat England and they went about their business very well. We had six Glasgow Warriors in the pack and that gave us a big advantage.

“It was a good day at the office and it was nice to come here so close to the home of the late Bill McLaren. I am sure that he would have been proud of us.”

Weir added: “I am pleased for the boys and I thought that the pack were tremendous and we played with a lot of confidence. Bradley had called for Borderers to come out and get behind the team – and he was not disappointed.

A large crowd, admittedly allowed in free of charge, packed into the ground and helped to give Scotland a winning start on the eve of the big game. The Scots were unbeaten at Netherdale last season and they continued that form and started the game at a fast rate of knots. When England were penalised for not rolling away, Weir kicked the goal to give the Scots a winning start in three minutes.

Scotland tackled aggressively and denied the Saxons any scoring opportunities and the English were short of ideas beyond the Scottish 22. The home pack was causing the English eight a few problems and a massive kick from Stuart Hogg deep into the visitors’ 22 rattled the visitors. They were not to be denied and Hogg scorched down the left wing over 60 metres and cut inside for a superb try, which Weir converted for a ten-point lead.

Scotland were soon on the back foot, but the defence remained resolute, and even snatched one loose ball from a line out. A scrum offence 40 metres out opened he door for a penalty, but this time Weir pulled his kick to the left of the post.

England was booed for taking so long to get into a lineout. Hooker Chris Broker was then penalised for delaying the throw. James Gaskell was spoken to by the referee after Hogg had marked the ball and instead of a free kick, the full back was awarded a penalty.

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Gaskell fell foul of the referee in 37 minutes for a high tackle on Matt Scott. The Scots started to make the extra man count, and when England were caught offside, Weir kicked his second penalty for a 13-0 interval lead.

The Scots had mastered their opponents and did not even concede a penalty within scoring range in the first half.

Weir tested England with a drop attempt, but his kick fell wide of the posts.

Rory Lawson broke clear after Scotland had driven the pack back, but the referee blew for a second scrum.

The Scots continued to control the game and denied the Saxons any worthwhile possession It was Weir again in the second half as he sped from a scrum to score under the posts and then converted his own score. And when Ed Slater was the second Englishman to be binned, Weir stretched the home lead.

The Scots were now rampant and two tries in five minutes from captain Rory Lawson and Matt Scott, from Weir’s pass, as well as Weir’s conversion took the score to 35-0.

The Scots set out the standards for the senior side, and the home crowd, deprived of professional rugby, have the players a standing ovation, which was richly deserved.

Scorers: Tries: Hogg, Weir, Lawson, Scott; Cons: Weir (3); Pens Weir (3)

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Scotland A: Hogg; Brown, Grove, Scott, Danielli; Weir, Lawson; Welsh, Hall, Kalman, Harley, Ryder, McInally, Fusaro, Vernon. Subs: R. Grant for Kalman (53), Wilson for Ryder (53), R. Grant for Fusaro (53). Not Used: MacArthur, Pyrgos, Godman, Murchie. England Saxons: England Saxons: .

England Saxons: Abendanon; Monye, Joseph, Twelvetrees, May; Lamb, Spencer; Wood, Brooker, Doran-Jones, Slater, Robson, Gaskell, Saull, Johnson. Subs: Burns for Lamb (41), Benjamin for Spencer (57), Gray for Brooker (71), Myall for Robson (44).

Referee: L Hodges (wales

Attendance: 4,124.