Scotland complete World Series with highest standing to date

Scotland 7s have completed the 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series with their highest standing to date.The Scots secured seventh place in the circuit rankings after reaching the Plate semi-finals at Twickenham today.After an unbeaten run on day one the team lost out to Australia, 33-19, in the London 7s Cup quarter-finals and then to South Africa, 31-7, in the Plate semi-finals.Scotland’s previous highest standing was ninth, but having qualified for six Cup competitions across the nine World Series tournaments – Dubai, Port Elizabeth, Wellington, Tokyo, Glasgow and London – they have been settled in the top eight for the most part of the year.Their best result was in Wellington, in March, where they finished fourth and earned 15 HSBC Sevens World Series points. Today they secured 10 points, bringing their total to 89. Head coach Calum MacRae said: “The team have achieved many of the aims we set out at the start of the year.”It’s been a pleasure working with these players. The improvement this season, has been down to them whole heartedly buying into the programme put in place.Believing in yourself and focusing on the things you do well, and results have followed thereafter.”The most pleasing thing is seeing the guys playing to their potential and achieving consistency in their performances. It has been a very enjoyable year.”Australia won the Cup quarter-final match, 31-19, with a competent attacking game. Ultimately, a lack of possession stopped Scotland gaining any momentum because when they had the ball they looked dangerous.It would have been a bittersweet match for Glenn Bryce and Gavin Lowe who scored their first points for the abbreviated national team. Bryce demonstrated his trademark step, which he has become known for at his club, Glasgow Warriors, with a brace of tries, while Lowe scored a try and conversion.Nick Malouf, Pama Fou, Cameron Clark, Ed Jenkins and Greg Jeloudev scored Australia’s tries. Tom Lucas added the extras on three occasions.At half-time against South Africa, everything was still to play for, with only five points between the teams.In the first half, Werner Kok opened the scoring, and then Joseva Nayacavou replied, with debutant Jamie Farndale showing some impressive running power in the build up. Gregor added the extras to Nayacavou’s score, but a try from Seabelo Senatla, converted by Branco du Preez, saw the South Africans with the advantage at the break, 12-7.The overall HSBC Sevens World Series runners-up then ran in three more tries in the second half to establish their lead. The scorers were Senatla, Justin Geduld and Ruhan Nel. Geduld and Nel converted the first and last of these tries respectively.MacRae continued: “Today has shown that if you are slightly off your game on day two, whether it be down to concentration or fatigue, you will often come up short. We scored good tries but weren’t clinical enough in aspects that got us wins yesterday. “The three new caps performed well and made telling contributions.”During the weekend, England qualified Team GB for the Rio 2016 Olympics, after finishing fourth in the circuit standings.MacRae concluded: Congratulations to Simon Amor and England for securing Olympic qualification. There are some genuine candidates in our squad who should be aiming for a spot in the Team GB squad.  London 7s day one (Pool C) Scotland 19-14 BrazilTries: Damien Hoyland, James Johnstone and Mark RobertsonConversions: Colin Gregor (2)Starting team: Scott Riddell CAPTAIN, James Johnstone, Colin Gregor, Mark Robertson, Damien Hoyland, Joseva Nayacavou and Lee Jones.Replacements: Hugh Blake (7 mins), Nyle Godsmark, Gavin Lowe, Glenn Bryce (9 mins) and Jamie Farndale (not used). Scotland 26-12 KenyaTries: Damien Hoyland, Mark Robertson, Hugh Blake and Jamie FarndaleConversions: Colin Gregor (3)Starting team: Scott Riddell CAPTAIN, James Johnstone, Colin Gregor, Mark Robertson, Damien Hoyland, Joseva Nayacavou and Lee Jones.Replacements: Hugh Blake (9 mins), Jamie Farndale (11 mins), Glenn Bryce (13 mins), Nyle Godsmark and Gavin Lowe (14 mins). Scotland 22-19 EnglandTries: James Johnstone and Damien Hoyland (3)Conversion: Colin GregorStarting team: Scott Riddell CAPTAIN, James Johnstone, Colin Gregor, Mark Robertson, Damien Hoyland, Joseva Nayacavou and Lee Jones.Replacements: Hugh Blake (9 mins), Nyle Godsmark (11 mins), Glenn Bryce (13 mins), Jamie Farndale and Gavin Lowe (not used). London 7s day two Scotland 19-31 Australia (Cup quarter-final)Tries: Glenn Bryce (2) and Gavin LoweConversions: Colin Gregor and Gavin LoweStarting team: Scott Riddell CAPTAIN, Colin Gregor, Mark Robertson, Damien Hoyland, Joseva Nayacavou, Glenn Bryce and Lee Jones.Replacements: Jamie Farndale, Hugh Blake (both 9 mins), Nyle Godsmark, Gavin Lowe (10 mins) and James Johnstone (13 mins).Scotland 7-31 South Africa (Plate semi-final)Try: Joseva NayacavouConversion: Colin GregorStarting team: Scott Riddell CAPTAIN, Jamie Farndale, Colin Gregor, Nyle Godsmark, Joseva Nayacavou, Glenn Bryce and Lee Jones.Replacements: Mark Robertson, Gavin Lowe (both 9 mins), Damien Hoyland (13 mins), Hugh Blake and James Johnstone (not used).