|
|
|
 |
Playing at Raeburn Place, the historic home of Edinburgh Academical, were the first ever British Rugby International took place between Scotland and England in 1871, Scotland started well and matched the Aussies in a tight opening 10 minutes before going into the lead. Andy McPhail slotted over an 11th minute penalty but that was the last time the home side led.
With the Edinburgh glorious morning sunshine gone and the cold reminding the tourists how far away from home they were – despite the sand beneath their feet on the dry pitch – Australia finally took control of the game on 15 minutes, Gerard Parle slipping a tackle on the right, feeding centre Ali Kourouche who sent former NRL full-back Brendon Reeves under the sticks. Parle added the first of his three conversions of the afternoon.
Just as Australia began to dominate and Scotland were hanging on, loose forward Matt Polley suffered a quite horrific leg injury in a tackle and the game was halted on 27 minutes. After an early half-time was called, the game was moved to the adjoining pitch while an ambulance took Matt to hospital where his position stabilised.
In descending gloom, Australia opted to keep the ball alive and play a more adventurous game and it paid dividends eight minutes in to the second period when Parle showed fine skill to take a low pass behind him, spin and plant the ball over the line to complete a flowing move on trhe right. He converted impressively himself.
But Scotland were back in the contest six minutes later when David Ford slipped a pass out to winger Andy McPhail and the full Scotland internationalist raced away 60 yards down the left before passing inside to the supporting Michael Murphy to score left of the posts. Unfortunately McPhail failed to add the extras.
That try came at a time when Scotland were struggling out wide and weathering an Aussie storm. But they came back with renewed confidence and had a decent spell of possession without threatening the visitors’ line. Australia’s danger was epitomised when Dab Gordon’s chip and chase was returned 30 metres by winger Brett Spears, who broke three tackles and swerved around three more in navy jerseys before being brought to ground. Three plays later they were ten yards out when a spilt ball fell at the feet of Ross Marshall. The teenager attempted to boot the ball downfield for the winger to chase but it bobbled out of touch and English referee James Long gave a scrum feed to Australia. Reeves’ pace took him away from the defence and set up Jordan Atkins for the try that all but confirmed victory, despite Parle’s missed kick.
Scotland gifted the men in green and gold possession once more on their left and despite a scrambling defence, Australia moved the ball back to the right flank and Atkins’ speed of foot sent Reeves through. His pace did the rest. Parle hit the bar with his conversion but Australia led 20-6 with ten minutes left and a tired but proud Scotland were hanging on.
Four minutes from time a quick play the ball and smart thinking saw Tony McFadyen and Ratu Suka exchange passes for the huge Fijian winger to score untouched under the posts and make the scoreline more closely reflect the game.
But Scotland can be delighted with their efforts, and could have had another try when, during a strong rallying finish, forward Mike Wallace ploughed 30 yards up field through several tackles only for David Anderson to knock-on bringing the curtain down on an interesting and uplifting season for Scotland Students.
Now for the World Cup in Queensland in July 2005!
SCOTLAND STUDENTS SQUAD:
1 MARK WEBSTER - St Helens College
2 ANDY McPHAIL – Napier University
3 DAVID FORD - Loughborough College
4 BARRY EARL – Napier University
5 DOUGIE THOMPSON – Stevenson College (Edinburgh)
6 MIKE MURPHY – Liverpool John Moore University
7 DAN GORDON – Peebles
8 JON FITT – Liverpool Hope University ©
9 BOBBY BAHADORI – Northumbria University
10 ANDY GRAY – Hopwood Hall College (Rochdale)
11 DAVID SIMM - Napier University
12 MARK SLATTER - Sheffield University
13 MATT POLLEY – University of Central Lancashire
Subs:
14 DAVID LYNN - Napier University
15 ROSS MARSHALL – Ardrossan College
16 MIKE WALLACE - Napier University
17 RYAN BLACK – Napier University
18 DAVID JONES - Birmingham University
19 CALUM ANDERSON – Peebles High School
20 DAVID ANDERSON - Telford College (Edinburgh)
Tries: Murphy 54. Goals: McPhail.
AUSTRALIA UNIVERSITIES
1 Brendon Reeves
2 Brett Spears
3 Jordan Atkins
4 Ali Kourouche
5 Sam Williams
6 Ryan Smith
7 Tony Morris
8 Michael Moore
9 Patrick Allendorf
10 Michael Giorgas
11 Adam Baker
12 Gerard Parle
13 Matthew McKinnon
Subs:
14 Tony McFadyen
15 Steve Carlon
16 Clint Lovering
17 Joel Attenborough
18 Ratu Suka
Tries: Reeves (15, 70), Parle (48), Atkins (60), Suka (76). Goals: Parle 3.
Men of the Match: Andy Gray (Scotland) and Matt McKinnon (Australia).
Referee: James Long (England)
|
|
|
| |
NEXT FIXTURE
Scotland Students v RAF- Skanska Cup
VENUE
RHC RUFC, Union Park, Edinburgh
DATE
Wednesday 21 May 2008, 6pm KO
|
|
More Official Scottish Rugby League headlines
Support Your Club
Advertising on your club's official
website
Click Here |
Support Your Club
Advertising on your club's official
website
Click Here |
Support Your Club
Advertising on your club's official
website
Click Here |
|
|
Contact SportNetwork.net | Join Us: Official | Join Us: Unofficial | Advertise on SportNetwork.net | Complain | Our Links
