U18 home-based players come out on top against Exiles

The Scotland under-18 home based players took on their Exile counterparts in wet and windy conditions at Peffermill in Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon.The fixture gave Ally Donaldson and his assistant coaches the chance to take a closer look at the group of 44 players, before they name a 26-man squad for a fixture against England in Stirling on Sunday 6 March.Number 8 Ryan Sweeney scored the opening try for the home-based squad and Ben Appleson managed to negotiate the wind to convert making it 7-0 early on.The weather conditions made it difficult to throw the ball about, but the home-based players managed to get their second try after about 15 minutes, when Stafford MacDowell went over. Appleson’s conversion drifted wide so the score remained 12-0.With the half hour approaching, another well worked move down the left saw MacDowell cross for his second try. This time Appleson was on target to stretch their lead to 17-0, which is how it remained until half-time.Six minutes into the second-half, the home-based side scored their fourth try, when Paul Cairncross dived over in the corner to make it 24-0. Appleson was unable to land the conversion.The home-based side went on to score their fifth try, mauling the ball up the middle of the field and leaving Sweeney the relatively simple task of falling over the line. Appleson’s conversion skimmed the bottom of the crossbar to leave the score at 29-0.The Scottish Exiles saw more of the ball in the final 15 minutes, but there was to be no more scoring, with the home-based side running out 29-0 winners.Scotland U18 home-based squadFORWARDSRoss Dunbar* – Stirling County RFC / Linlithgow AcademyCalum Eastwood – George Watson’s CollegeLewis Mclean* – Strathallan SchoolEuan McLaren – Dollar AcademyRobbie Smith* – Ayr RFC / Douglas Ewart High SchoolPaul Cairncross* – Kelvinside Academy / East Kilbride RFCJamie Hodgson – Stewart Melville CollegeDean Roger – Highland RFCAndrew Horne* – Preston Lodge RFCMatt Fagerson* – Strathallan SchoolCallum Cruikshank* – Dollar AcademyJack Bruce* – Strathallan SchoolRyan Sweeney  – The Glasgow Academy BACKSHarry Warr – Dollar AcademyFraser Peters – George Watson’s CollegeGrant Hughes* – Dollar AcademyMark New* – Strathallan SchoolCameron Hutchison* – George Heriot’s School / North Berwick RFCStafford MacDowell – Merchiston Castle SchoolBen Eynon* – Strathallan SchoolAaron Tait* – Merchiston Castle SchoolBen Appleson* – The Edinburgh Academy* BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 2 players 2015/16Scotland U18 Exiles squadFORWARDSWilliam Bowie – Bradford Grammar SchoolBobby Bratton – St Matthew AcademyAndrew Christie – Harrow / SaracensAlan Gregory – Kings, Ely / Northampton SaintsTyrone Heffron – IvybridgeRalph Johnston – Gosforth HS / Newcastle FalconsDaniel Marek – Richard Huish College / BathGregor Ramage – Brighton CollegeJack Samuel – Bedwas ComprehensiveBen Scoular – Warwick SchoolTavis Hunter – Oaklands CollegeBACKSDaniel Brady – St.Edwards OxfordFraser Dingwall – Bedford School / Northampton SaintsArthur Friend – Blundells SchoolCharlie Gowling – Sedburgh / Newcastle FalconsRory McMichael – Wellington College / HarlequinsTom Nicole – Cranleigh College / HarlequinsAlexander Nisbet – Bromsgrove School / Worcester WarriorsMarcus Ramage – Brighton CollegeCameron Redpath – Kings School, Macclesfield / SaleFraser Strachan – Bedford School / Northampton SaintsEric White – Hartpury College / Gloucester