Ireland U20 took on Scotland U20 on Sunday in the second game of the tournament. As both teams had lost losing their opening matches we knew this was going to be a battle with a bonus point win the target for each side.
The sun beat down to take the temperature to 28 degrees at Kutaisi Stadium, but the Irish support found shade and belted out Shoulder to Shoulder to raise the heat some more.
Scotland enjoyed the better of the opening quarter but the Irish defence held firm and as the quarter came to an end it was Ireland that began to threaten.
Gavin Mullin on the attack for Ireland against Scotland.
Calvin Nash made a break down the left and sent through an inviting grubber for Gavin Mullin to chase. Unfortunately, the bounce of the ball left Mullen grasping air as its made it’s way to the touchline. Ireland stole the resulting line-out and Ciaran Frawley crossed only to be held up.
Play was brought back to a penalty which Conor Dean comfortably converted. Three minutes later Ireland found themselves with another penalty on the 5 m line and quick thinking scrum half Jack Stafford tapped and went over for the first try of the game. Dean added the conversion to give Ireland a 10 – 0 lead
Scotland hit back with a wonder break from winger Darcy Graham who passed for the supporting Ross McCann to score under the posts, giving Connor Eastgate an easy conversion.
As half time approached an attacking line out for the Scots saw hooker Fraser Renwick touch down in the final play of the first half to give the Scots a two point lead at the break.
Eastgate and Dean traded penalties at the start of the second half to take the score to Ireland 13 Scotland 15 and the Scots made a decisive breakthrough when the fast footed Graham crossed for his second try on the 53rd minute. Eastgate converted to give the Scots a nine point cushion.
Jack Kelly stretches for the line against Scotland.
Ireland hit back after Jack Kelly stretched for the line after a forceful run and Alan Tynan converted to close the gap to two points.
Unfortunately Scotland bounced back with a try from Eastgate and, despite Tynan adding another penalty for Ireland, the Scots looked to have the game wrapped up when Robbie Nairn crossed with 12 minutes to go.
Kelly crossed again with five minutes to go to bring it back to a four point game but, with both sets of players wilting in the afternoon heat, there were no further scores, Scotland taking all the spoils with a deserved 32 – 28 win.
Gallery below.
