Wales await Scotland in Las Vegas 7s Bowl competition

Scotland 7s will compete in the Las Vegas 7s Bowl quarter-finals tonight at 12.30am (Sunday 15 February) against Wales.The Scots were unable to secure a fourth consecutive place in a HSBC Sevens World Series Cup competition, after suffering defeats to France (7-19) and Australia (14-40) in the group stages.Their sole win in the pool, came against Brazil on day one. They beat them 38-14.Head Coach Calum MacRae said: “Missing first up tackles against France cost us. We had three scoring chances and failed to convert them to points, which didn’t allow us to get hold of the game.”We then put Brazil away, taking it down to the Australia game for a chance in the Cup quarter-finals.”However, they performed well and went ahead. It was too little too late in the second-half when we rallied, with some impact coming off the bench.Our focus now is to go on and win the Bowl.”Scotland scored an early try from Mark Robertson and converted by captain Scott Wight to gain a lead over France after four minutes.However, Jonathan Laugel scored just before the break with Terry Bourahoua’s conversion levelling the scores at half-time, 7-7.In the second period, the French stepped up a gear and sealed the win, following a further two tries from Laugel and Bourahoua.By half-time against Brazil, Scotland were leading 24-7, following tries from James Johnstone, Chris Dean, Mark Robertson and Struan Dewar.Johnstone and Dean then scored again in the second period, after one minute and three minutes respectively to extend Scotland’s lead.For Brazil, there was a try each for Luca and Moises Rodriguez on either side of the break. With Luca converting both scores.Lastly, a very confident Australian team undid the Scots, who required a win, at least to progress to the top tier Cup competition.Their opponents had secured a 26-0 lead at half-time following tries from Lewis Holland, Jesse Parahi, Con Foley and Allan Fa’alava’au, three of which were converted by Holland.In the second-half, Scotland managed to score two tries, the first a 60 metre run-in from James Fleming and the second a penalty try, following a cynical tackle from Cameron Clark who was yellow carded. However, Australia’s six tries overall was too much for Scotland to progress. Las Vegas 7s group stages Scotland 7-19 FranceTry: Mark RobertsonConversion: Scott WightStarting team: Scott Riddell, Struan Dewar, James Johnstone, Mark Robertson, Scott Wight CAPTAIN, Chris Dean and Gavin Lowe.Replacements: Joseva Nayacavou, James Fleming (both 7 mins), Colin Shaw (11 mins), Russell Weir and Nyle Godsmark (both 14 mins). Scotland 38-14 BrazilTries: James Johnstone (2), Chris Dean (2), Mark Robertson and Struan DewarConversions: Scott Wight (4)Starting team: Scott Riddell, Struan Dewar, James Johnstone, Mark Robertson, Scott Wight CAPTAIN, Chris Dean and Gavin Lowe.Replacements: Joseva Nayacavou, James Fleming (both 9 mins), Colin Shaw, Russell Weir and Nyle Godsmark (all 11 mins).Scotland 14-40 AustraliaTries: James Fleming and Penalty TryConversions: Scott Wight (2)Starting team: Scott Riddell, Struan Dewar, James Johnstone, Mark Robertson, Scott Wight CAPTAIN, Chris Dean and Gavin Lowe.Replacement: Colin Shaw, Russell Weir, James Fleming, Joseva Nayacavou and Nyle Godsmark (all 9 mins).