Scots teens punished

Ireland Under-18s28

SCOTLAND finished their Five Nations Under-18 Festival campaign at Llandovery on Saturday bitterly disappointed after allowing Ireland to come back into a game that the young Scots had dominated for the entire first half.

“Since I’ve been involved at this level, this was the sorest defeat,” said coach Grant McKelvey. “We were in total control in the first half and then in the ten to 15 minute period after the break we stood off them. They scored three quick tries.”

Scotland, however, can take much out of their final international match his season. Stand-off Harry Leonard, who scored both the Scotland tries, played his best game thus far in Scottish colours with a commanding performance, full back Stuart Hogg again showed why he is such a valuable player, while the other back to impress was centre Mark Bennett, who kicked four goals, one from inside the Scotland half and who twice broke for Leonard’s first try. McKelvey also praised the work of his front and second rows.

Scorers: Scotland Under-18s: Tries: Leonard (2); Con: Leonard; Pens: Bennett (4).

Ireland Under-18s: Tries: Coghlan-Murray (2), Jones; Cons: Jackson (2); Pens: Jackson (2); Drop: Goal McMaster.

Scotland Under-18s: S Hogg; H Jones, M Crawley, M Bennett, A McCall Hagen; H Leonard, M McConnell (captain); R Hislop, J MacFarlance, A Allen, S Smith, A Redmayne, B Johnstone, A de St Croix, L Seydak. Subs used: M Eadie, G Turner, R Sutherland, J Stevenson, A Hall, J Urquhart.

Referee: M Mattreo (Italy).