Blair Double Helps Scotland Achieve Special Win

Scotland under-18 centre Alex Blair, the youngest brother of Calcutta Cup winning captain Mike, followed in his sibling’s heroic footsteps by scoring 20 points in the team’s 25-11 win over Ireland at Musgrave Park, Cork in the U18 Six Nations Festival.Scotland under-18 centre Alex Blair, the youngest brother of Calcutta Cup winning captain Mike, followed in his sibling’s heroic footsteps by scoring 20 points in the team’s 25-11 win over Ireland at Musgrave Park, Cork in the U18 Six Nations Festival. But the teenager, who racked up two tries, two penalties and two conversions, was not able to celebrate the a famous victory properly after injuring his hip just before half-time. Head coach Grant McKelvey admits he was thrilled with both Blair’s contribution and the eye-catching result. McKelvey said: Alex came off at half-time because of injury, but he had a big hand in the win. It was a great result under a lot of pressure and there can’t be too many teams that come here and put that many points past an Irish side. Scotland’s other try was scored by captain Stuart McInally and McKelvey congratulated the back rower as well as singling out prop Luke Pettie and centre Alex Dunbar for special praise. He added: Stuart really stepped up to the plate with a superb captain’s performance. He was calm and showed what an excellent leader he is. That was the best display he has produced in the past two years. Luke Pettie had his first international start and I felt he did extremely well. Luke is a converted back rower, but he played at loosehead and looked really good. In the back line, Alex Dunbar led the attack and his work-rate in defence was excellent. Scotland under-18 team (sponsor Martin Currie): Tom Brown (Edinburgh Academy), Rory Drummond (Bell Baxter HS), Alex Blair (Edinburgh Academy), Alex Dunbar (Annan), Seumas MacKenzie (Murrayfield Wanderers), Ross Aitken (Bell Baxter/Howe of Fife)*, Alex Black (Prince Henry’s School); Luke Pettie (Gala Wanderers), Alun Walker (Musselburgh), Nicky Little (Hawick)*, Callum Connor (Bradford Grammar), Robert Harley (West of Scotland)*, Michael Maltman (Musselburgh), Michael Fedo (Bell Baxter/Howe of Fife), Stuart McInally (George Watson’s College)* CAPTAIN Substitutes: Mungo Strachan (Fettes College), Craig Owenson (Musselburgh)* for Pettie 65, Andrew Fraser (York), Grant Gilchrist (Stirling County) for Connor 50, Jason Hill (Stirling County) for Fedo 68, Ross Sutherland (Sandbach), Russell Weir (Merchiston Castle School) for Black 55, Michael Tait (Kelso Quins)* for Blair 34, Jamie Harris (Merchiston Castle School), Max Learmonth (Berwick) for MacKenzie 35, Sam Hughes (Merchiston Castle School) for Brown 55. *Member of Scottish Rugby’s National Junior Academy and supported by Area Institute of Sport.