Scotland U16 29-29 Wales Druids

The Scotland Under-16 side got their 2014 BMW Wellington International Festival campaign underway today with a 29-29 draw with Wales Druids.The young Scots will play three games over the next six days in Wellington and battled hard to earn a draw on day one.Wales scored two unconverted tries within the first ten minutes of the game, but Scotland hit back after 12 minutes when Hamish Bain touched down to make it 10-5, however Ewan Fox was unable to convert.Scotland then levelled the game after 18 minutes when Paul Cairncross got on the scoresheet, but Fox missed the extras.Wales retook the lead four minutes later with a converted try, but Gary Mercer’s side once again drew level through Charlie Shiel after 27 minutes. Ewan Fox converted to make it 17-17 and that is how it stayed until half-time.Scotland started the second-half brightly and after just four minutes scored their fourth try of the game, which Ewan Fox converted to make it 24-17 to Scotland.Wales hit back with two unconverted tries to move into a 29-24 lead with 12 minutes of the game remaining,Scotland didn’t let their heads go down and second-half substitute Bruce Sorbie crossed the whitewash with just eight minutes left on the clock to level the scores once again. Gregor Haldane, who had replaced Charlie Lonergan in the second period, was unable to convert so the score remained 29-29.Two minutes later Haldane had a chance to potentially win the game with a penalty, but his attempt was missed and the game ended all square.Scotland are back in action on Wednesday, when they play England (North) at 11am.Scotland under-16 squad:Graham Allan (St Columba’s School), Hamish Bain (Portobello High School), Paul Cairncross (East Kilbride / Calderglen High School), Kenneth Drummond (George Watson’s College/Watsonians), Matthew Fagerson (Dundee Eagles / Strathallan School), Ewan Fox (Dundee Eagles / High School of Dundee), Gregor Haldane (Stirling County / Dollar Academy), Andrew Horne (Preston Lodge RFC / Preston Lodge High School), Charlie Lonergan (GHA / St Aloysius’ College), Ross McCann (Royal High Cougars / Royal High School), Gary Munro (Jed Thistle RFC / Jedburgh Grammar School), Mark New (Mackie RFC / Mackie Academy), Gregor Paxton (Kilmarnock RFC / Grange Academy), Charlie Shiel (Royal High Cougars / Royal High School), Bruce Sorbie (Robert Gordon’s College), Aaron Tait (Ayr RFC / Wellington School), Sam Yawayawa (Boroughmuir RFC / Firhill High School), Callum Eastwood (George Watson’s College/Watsonians), Lloyd Clark (Moffat RFC / Austin Friars), Thomas Klein (Melrose / Earlston High School), Ewan Malloch (George Watson’s College/Watsonians), George Blackwell (Kirkham Grammar School), Jamie Ross (Marbella RFC / Bayside Comprehensive School), Ralph Johnston (Wigton RUFC / Nelson Tomlinson School), Alan Gregory (Cambridge RUFC / Kings, Ely), Ben Scoular (Old Leamingtonians RFC / Warwick School)