Scotland Get Off To Winning Start

Scotland got off to a great start to the Twickenham leg of the IRB 7s series with a convincing win over Kenya. Following the defeat in Hong Kong at the hands of the Kenyans the Scots were keen to return the favour in London in a game that many saw as a must win.Scotland got off to a great start to the Twickenham leg of the IRB 7s series with a convincing win over Kenya. Following the defeat in Hong Kong at the hands of the Kenyans the Scots were keen to return the favour in London in a game that many saw as a must win. The Scots were the first on the scoreboard with a try coming from an excellent example of composed retained possession, Richie Vernon slotting effortlessly through the stretched Kenyan defense to score just right of the upright. Colin Gregor converted. 7-0 Scottish celebrations were soon cut short as Kenyan Dennis Mwanj collected the restart and broke free of his tackler to sprint the full half on the far touchline to score. A missed Kenyan conversion meant Scotland retained the lead. 7-5 Scotland extended their lead before the half through a solo effort from target man Richie Vernon who jinked across to avoid two Kenyan defenders on his own 10m line. The big 12 then used his strength to fend off two further tackles in close quarters before showing surprising pace to gallop down the touchline and score. Gregor missed the opportunity to add the extras. 12-5 Half time: 12-5 Scotland looked keen to get take the early score and a Jim Thompson break followed by a big Scottish drive saw the ball make its way quickly into Kenyan territory. However Kenya, who are exceptionally quick on the break, were swiftly on the counter and required some last gasp tackling from Scotland on the far touch line to halt another quick fire score. The game looked certain to end in Scotland’s favour as excellent defensive pressure continued to force the Kenyan’s deep into their own half. The game was wrapped up in the last minute as the ball was spun wide right from a Scottish scrum on the Kenyan 22. The ball returned across the pitch through quick and safe Scottish hands and, as the Scots gradually wore the kenyans down, the ball made it’s way back to the right wing and into the hands of Colin Shaw whose strength provided the all the space needed for captain Scott Forrest to glide across the line at the end of the tie. Gregor’s missed conversion mattered not as the final whistle blew and Scotland recorded their first win out of the tournament. Final score: 17-5 Scotland 7s coach, Stevie Gemmell said: We knew this was a key game for us to get ourselves into the tournament. I thought we kept the ball really really well, it was good start and we know we need to lift it in every game against. I think in open pay we defended very well and I think in open play we didn’t really come under any real pressure. Scotland’s next game kicks off against Samoa at 1.34 who were pushed very hard by Russia earlier in the day. Scotland 1st VII 1 Scott Forrest CAPTAIN 2 Colin Shaw 5 Jim Thompson 8 Colin Gregor 10 Greig Laidlaw 11 Andrew Turnbull 12 Richie Vernon Replacements 3 Stevie Lawrie 4 Grant Anderson 6 Chris Fusaro 7 Ben Addison 9 Michel Addison Kenya 1st VII 3 Dennis Mwanja 4 Allan Onyango 5 Wilson Opondo 6 Leon Adongo 7 Biko Adema 9 Nato Simiyu 10 Lavin Asego Replacements 1 Naftali Ogolla Bondo 2 Brian Nyikuli 8 George Mbaye 11 Horace Otieno 12 Allan Makaka