Scotland A 32-13 Ireland Wolfhounds

Scotland A produced a tremendous, and tremendously stirring, second half performance to see off an international-laden Ireland Wolfhounds in emphatic fashion at Netherdale on Friday night. Nick Scrivener’s team took a while to get going, but scored 23 unanswered points after half-time to record a third straight win at the Gala ground that sends them into next Friday’s clash with Italy A at the some venue (kick-off 7.30pm) full of confidence and ambition. Scotland A produced a tremendous, and tremendously stirring, second half performance to see off an international-laden Ireland Wolfhounds in emphatic fashion at Netherdale on Friday night. Nick Scrivener’s team took a while to get going, but scored 23 unanswered points after half-time to record a third straight win at the Gala ground that sends them into next Friday’s clash with Italy A at the some venue (kick-off 7.30pm) full of confidence and ambition. Hefin O’Hare, one of three debutants in the Scotland A side, crossed late on after fine work from Fraser McKenzie to put the seal on a post-interval display that bristled with determination and vigour. There were standout performances at half-back from captain Greig Laidlaw (who was voted man of the match) and David Blair, who weighed in with five penalties and two conversions. Also hugely impressive were Scott MacLeod, Geoff Cross and replacement Rob Harley, who brought real purpose and physicality to the table to swing the game in the Scots’ favour at its most crucial junctures.Laidlaw praises Borders crowd Another large Borders crowd, some 3,346 in number, left buoyed by what they witnessed in the second period and were later praised by Laidlaw for the characteristically vocal backing they provided. The Netherdale hordes were treated to the sight of Scotland A getting the scoreboard moving first, when, in the fourth minute, Blair slotted over a penalty from a central position just shy of the Irish 10m line after the visitors were caught offside. The Scots had started well, Ryan Wilson and John Houston hitting the ball up impressively, but from nowhere the Wolfhounds conjured up the opening try of the game. Right winger John Murphy, a powerful, persistent threat moving off that particular touchline, broke down the middle of the field before passing inside to openside Willie Fallon who had kept up a decent support line. First try to Ireland The flanker’s first surge for the whitewash was thwarted by O’Hare, but he wasn’t for being denied and touched down between the posts. Ian Humphreys knocked over a simple conversion to put Ireland 7-3 ahead. The Ulster stand-off was soon presented with the chance of another three points, Scotland A killing the ball at the breakdown to referee Greg Garner’s disapproval. Humphreys’ successful penalty cancelled out the one that Blair had supplied moments previously, and almost instantly there was further frustration for the Scots as another dose of indiscipline gave the Irish pivot another kick at goal. Thankfully his attempt didn’t make it, but these were ominous times for the hosts, an impression hardly helped when they were pinged for collapsing the scrum. Prop Jon Welsh was forced from the field with a blow to the shoulder sustained during the same episode, to be replaced on the loose-head by his Glasgow Warriors teammate Moray Low. A further, 28th minute Humphreys penalty from virtually in front of the posts put Ireland seven points clear, the award arising in the aftermath of another fine break and offload from that man Murphy. Scotland A were crying out for a bit of decent possession, and this arrived after quick off-the-top lineout ball was ferried first right then left with the Irish defence being probed for weakness at every stage. Maddeningly for the Scots, O’Hare was bundled into touch on the left-hand side and following the ensuing lineout, Ireland cleared their lines. A repeat of this scenario was soon evident, the only change being in the identity of the blue-clad back (Houston) being persuaded over the touchline. The home side did, however, have the consolation of landing another three points just before the interval, Blair punishing the Wolfhounds for straying offside in midfield. Half-time Scotland A 9 Ireland Wolfhounds 13 Scotland A started the second half in encouraging fashion, Jim Thompson showing a willingness to hit the line at speed from deep and MacLeod and Cross providing real punch and leg-drive. Blair passed up an early opportunity to get the Scots to within a point, missing with a penalty awarded for a high tackle on Thompson that saw the Edinburgh man troop off with a facial wound. Murchie, another Scotland A first-timer, came on temporarily at full-back as a blood replacement. A further enforced change occurred minutes later, Harley coming on at blindside after Wilson limped from the fray following a bump to his shoulder. The Glasgow flanker made an instant impact, crashing through with ball in hand to put the Scots firmly on the front foot to the right of the Ireland A defence. A penalty resulted for offside, and once Blair had kicked it to touch, the hosts drove purposefully for the Irish line. They had to show patience and control, but eventually it was Low who burrowed over from close range to nudge Scotland A back in front. Just to add to the optimism now coursing round the Gala ground, Blair landed a difficult conversion from out left, and then proceeded to bang over a penalty to give his team a six-point lead. Scotland enjoyed significant amounts of territory and possession as the half wore on, coming to dominate the contact area as Scrivener had demanded before the game. Their work in the set-piece was also increasingly effective, another penalty coming the Scots’ way after Ireland wheeled a scrum. This time it was captain Laidlaw who stepped up to belt the ball between the posts from out on the right, putting Scotland more than a converted score ahead going into the last ten minutes. A final Blair penalty, three minutes from time, preceded the O’Hare score that wrapped things up for the Scots. Scotland A: J Thompson; H O’Hare, B Cairns, J Houston, L Jones; D Blair, G Laidlaw (captain); J Welsh, D Hall, G Cross, S MacLeod, F McKenzie, R Wilson, J Beattie, A MacDonald Substitutes: F Thomson, M Low, R Harley, R Grant, C Gregor, P Murchie, C Shaw Ireland Wolfhounds: G Duffy; J Murphy, E O’Malley, N Spence, D Hurley; I Humphreys, T O’Leary; B Wilkinson, D Varley, T Buckley, I Nagle, D Toner, K McLaughlin, C Henry (captain), W Faloon Substitutes: N Brady, J Hagen, A Brown, D Ryan, I Boss, N O’Connor, I Whitten Man of the Match: Greig Laidlaw (Scotland A) Ref: G Garner (RFU)