Hong Kong Bowl final for Scotland 7s

Scotland 7s continued to show improvements in their play from those in the group stages, with a 24-12 victory over Argentina in the Hong Kong Bowl semi-final.The side will now move into the Bowl final where they’ll meet France at 10.30am (UK time).  France beat Samoa 38-5 in their semi-final.The last time Scotland was in a final in Hong Kong was in 2004, where they played France in the Plate.  At the time, there were only three trophies – Cup, Plate and Bowl – Scotland won, 28-22.Scott Riddell, who has been captain in the Kenya and Argentina matches, said: “Its great to bounce back with a win first up v Kenya, we showed a lot of character after the disappointed of not making the quarter-finals. The positive thing is we’ve backed that up with a win against a team who are seeded above us, Argentina [eighth].  We now need to do the same again against France.”The three Glasgow Warriors, who joined the squad for the seventh leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series, led by example in the match scoring the first three tries, all which were very well worked. Mark Bennett the first to score brushed off a series of tackles and made 60 metres up the wing before scoring; James Eddie showed his devastating physicality and Lee Jones won the ball, broke free of the tackler and dived in over the whitewash.Scotland’s final score came from a lovely dummy and then an injection of pace from Mark Robertson.  Scott Wight and Colin Gregor converted one try each.Once again, the side’s composure was good, coping with the opposition attack much better and patiently building in attack.For the opposition it was Santiago Alvarez and Diego Palma who scored tries. Gonzalo Gutierrez Taboada converted one score. Scotland 7s squad to compete in the Hong Kong 7s (29-30 March): Scott Riddell, Finlay Gillies (Glasgow Warriors), Mark Robertson, Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Colin Gregor, Chris Dean, Andrew Turnbull, Michael Maltman, Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Wight (Glasgow Warriors), James Johnstone and James Eddie (Glasgow Warriors).Hong Kong 7s day one Scotland 0-33 New ZealandStarting team: Scott Riddell, Mark Robertson, Michael Maltman, Lee Jones, Colin Gregor, Mark Bennett and James Johnstone.Replacements: Chris Dean, James Eddie (both 9mins), Andrew Turnbull (10mins), Finlay Gillies and Scott Wight (both 12mins).Hong Kong 7s day two Scotland 15-10 USATries: Mark Bennett (2) and James JohnstoneStarting team: Scott Riddell, Lee Jones, Colin Gregor, Chris Dean, Mark Bennett, James Johnstone and James Eddie.Replacements: Mark Robertson (8mins), Finlay Gillies, Andrew Turnbull, Michael Maltman and Scott Wight (not used). Scotland 14-19 SamoaTries: Scott Riddell and Andrew TurnbullConversions: Colin Gregor (2)Starting team: Scott Riddell, Lee Jones, Colin Gregor, Chris Dean, Mark Bennett, James Johnstone and James Eddie.Replacements: Mark Robertson (9mins), Andrew Turnbull, Michael Maltman (both 10mins), Finlay Gillies and Scott Wight (not used).Hong Kong 7s day three Scotland 26-12 Kenya (Bowl quarter-final)Tries: Mark Bennett (2), Scott Riddell and Andrew TurnbullConversions: Scott Wight (3)Starting team: Scott Riddell, Mark Robertson, Lee Jones, Andrew Turnbull, Mark Bennett, Scott Wight and James Eddie.Replacements: Finlay Gillies, James Johnstone (9mins), Colin Gregor, Chris Dean and Michael Maltman (not used). Scotland 24-12 Argentina (Bowl semi-final)Tries: Mark Bennett, James Eddie, Lee Jones and Mark RobertsonConversions: Scott Wight and Colin GregorStarting team: Scott Riddell, Mark Robertson, Lee Jones, Andrew Turnbull, Mark Bennett, Scott Wight and James Eddie.Replacements: Chris Dean (9mins), James Johnstone (10mins) Colin Gregor (11mins), Finlay Gillies (13mins) and Michael Maltman (14mins).