Match Reports from Scotland Student's historic trip to France in June 2001

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Scotland Students 26 - 16 Paris Students

Date: 28.06.01  Venue: Corbeil 

They set off to a fast start putting immediate pressure on Paris by restricting the play to the opposition’s own half. Scotland students failed to realise this opportunity through failing to complete their playing sequences due to a series of handling errors and offsides. Paris students eventually capitalized on these mistakes, breaking through Scotland’s line of defence to score a try in the 21st minute but they failed to score the conversion. Shortly afterwards Matthew McCreath narrowed the score line to 2-4, by completing a penalty conversion given for offside. Scotland then gained the lead by Kaveh Bhadori’s try by after a short ball from a Scotland scrum.  McCreath failed to complete the full set of points by missing the conversion. Paris students fought back by scoring a penalty conversion for a Scotland offside.

Holes began to appear in Scotland’s defensive line allowing an easy Paris try between the posts leading to a simple conversion also being scored. Scotland students reacted by stepping up the pace and increasing the pressure in Paris’ half. Dan Norbury, Andrew Borthwick and David Hutchinson played vital roles by solid and a high rate of tackling preventing any ground being made by Paris. In the 40th minute Callum Irving converted a penalty given against Paris for ill discipline. This illustrated Paris’ frustration from the increased Scotland pressure. However, Paris students were still leading at half time with 8-12.

The second half was also marred by penalties mainly given for ill discipline. Within the first four minutes Scotland conceded two penalties. The first, given for a high tackle, rebounded off the posts after an attempted conversion by Paris. Paris also failed to convert the second of their penalties. Scotland students responded again by creating two opportunities from Paris mistakes but they were denied any tries by a forward pass and a knock on. Eventually, the consistent pressure by Scotland with excellent drives by Andy Cane and James Noble making holes in Paris’ defence gave the chance for Dave Hutchinson to score an impressive individual try. Hutchinson weaved passed his Paris opponents from Paris’ 20 metre line. However, Scotland failed to make the conversion, therefore drawing the score at 12-12.

The last ten minutes saw a pick up in pace by both sides. Paris students scored another try, breaking through Scotland’s tackles. Rich Brantingham tried in vain to prevent the score by a tremendous tackle on the try line but the try was eventually gained by a Paris overlap. However, Paris students failed to convert the try. Ross Neil drew the score at 16-16 in the 73rd minute by a try from an accurate long ball out wide by Hutchinson. The attempted conversion was also missed. Neil produced another try a few minutes later when receiving the ball from Hutchinson after another of his weaving runs. The conversion was missed again.

The final try, which wrapped up the match for Scotland students, was made after Borthwick skilfully succeeded in stealing a Paris ball. He then gained the maximum points by converting his own try. This brought the final score line to 26 –16, a victory for Scotland students. The management team, John Risman and Kevin Rudd were extremely pleased with Scotland’s performance especially as the team fought back on numerous occasions and set the tour off to a marvellous start

There was some expectation that the match between Scotland Students and Corbeil would be highly competitive and it was hoped that this would produce an entertaining match. It was evident from an early Scotland try that this was true. Clint Brown produced a try in the 3rd minute after grounding the ball after receiving a neat little chip kick by Ian Gilmour. The conversion was easily made by Barry Edgar to give Scotland an early lead of 6-0. Corbeil responded soon after, utilising the opportunity of a missed tackle by the Scotland defence. The conversion was also made, drawing the scores. The first twenty minutes were also extremely eventful for the number of Scotland Students taken off the pitch due to injuries. Ian Atkinson suffered a cut to the head and was replaced to receive stitches. Al Stewart was also forced to leave the field with a broken nose. This did not reduce the determination of the team which was illustrated by a Rob Clarke try in the 30th minute from an impressive run, penetrating Corbeil defence. The full points were attained by a successful conversion from Edgar. The Scots completed the first half with a superb try from Ian Gilmour. Mark Webster produced an excellent run up the left wing from within Scotland’s own half, which he then offloaded to Gilmour, who had done well to support. Gilmour finally outpaced the Corbeil defence to score the try. The conversion was made by Edgar to give the Scotland students a lead of 18-6 at half time.

Scotland entered the second half with the same determined attitude which was quickly displayed by a try from Logan Colbeck soon after the break. The sequence began with a clever offload from Antony Slatter to Sam Onions who, after driving for the line, was halted in a last ditch tackle. However, quick passes inside from this drive allowed Colbeck to power over the line. Edgar converted the try to bring the score to 24-6. Scotland kept the pressure on Corbeil with a near try by Slatter. However, the try was disallowed for being carried over the try line. Corbeil responded with a try created by an overlap but failed to make the conversion. This did not affect Scotland’s play. They immediately scored through a tremendous run by Ian Gilmour who, with an excellent sight of holes created, managed to break through the opposition’s defence. Edgar brought the score to 30-10 by successfully kicking the conversion. A few minutes later Gilmour again successfully broke down the Paris’ defence by a penetrating run. A number of Scotland players remained in support but the ball was passed inside to Onions who scored between the posts. Edgar slotted another conversion bringing the score to 36-10. In the remaining minutes of the match, Colbeck produced an outstanding try by outpacing Corbeil’s winger on the outside. Edgar kept his perfect record by converting the try and sealing Scotland’s victory. The final score was a convincing 42-10. The fast paced game illustrated Scotland strength in composure. The management team of John Risman and Kevin Rudd who were delighted by the victory reiterated this.

The Scotland Students entered the pitch knowing that the match would be a challenge. At 7pm, it was still swelteringly hot; conditions that could hinder the stamina of the Scotland players. The French Students capitalized on this by placing immediate pressure on Scotland, in anticipation that this would wear the Scots down. From kick off the French forced Scotland back, deep into their half. However, solid defence left the French with few options so they resorted to an attempted drop goal which was missed. Scotland students responded quickly to this immediate pressure by making two good runs up the right wing.

However, they failed to make points from these opportunities but had achieved in stirring up the French side. This resulted in a period of tightly fought play. However, the French utilized the advantage of the Scots facing into the sun, applying a chip kick from the fifth tackle. It was an awkward ball to catch resulting in the French grounding the ball to score a try. The try was also converted to give the French a 6-0 lead after 25 minutes. Almost immediately, the Scots had the opportunity to put points on the scoreboard by gaining a penalty. One of the Scotland players had been held down too long in the tackle. However, the penalty conversion was unfortunately missed. The French went on to extend their score line to 12-0. The try was scored after a break up the right wing, which the Scotland defence try to stop in vain. Maximum points were then gained by a successful conversion. The Scots refused to let this unsettle them, scoring a try in the 40th minute. Strong running by Tom Wild followed by powerful a drive by Ash Carroll was rapidly offloaded to Ian Gilmour, who deceived the defence which had expected a kick from the fifth tackle. Instead, Gilmour cut inside to score a try between the posts. Matt McCreath converted the try to narrow the score line to 12-6 at half time.

The Scots realised that they needed to enter the second half hard and fast to put early points on the scoreboard and place pressure on the French. They set off to a rapid start. The Scots pushed the French back, deep into their half. Logan Colbeck made a quick pick up from a rebounding grubber. Colbeck passed the ball out wide to Rich Brantingham who easily outpaced the French to score a deserved try. McCreath failed to make the difficult conversion from near the right touch line. The score line had now narrowed to 12-10 to the French. Scotland’s pressure remained with a following try by Clint Brown in the 56th minute. The try was a result of a good sequence of play after the French students gave away numerous penalties. However, McCreath failed to convert the try, leaving the score at 14-12 to the Scotland students. Brown had the opportunity to open the score line further after weaving through a number of the French defence. However, he was halted just before the try line.

It was obvious that the French students were feeling under pressure as two players were sin binned for talking back and kicking out at a Scottish opponent. The heat and the disruption had disturbed the Scotland players, resulting in giving their own penalties away for ill discipline. The French used the opportunity to score a further try in front of the posts and made the conversion. They followed with a further try four minutes later after breaking through the tired Scotland defence, and then further extending their lead by kicking the conversion.

The final score was 24-14 to the South of France Students. It was visible that the Scotland students were affected by the climate and disruption of play but they still put up a valiant performance. The Scots will face an even tougher test in their next game against a French Select side.

Scotland Students 26 - 12 South of France Select.

Date: 5.07.01  Venue: Carpentras

It was anticipated that South of France Select would be the strongest opponents that Scotland would face. It was also realised by the Students that to gain a victory they would have to give their all. From the kick-off, it was obvious that this was in their thoughts. The Scots made a hasty start, making ground quickly by forcing the French back through powerful drives by the forwards. Scotland's first opportunity to put points on the board arose following a neat step inside by Rob Clarke, off balancing the French defence and creating space to pass the ball out to Ian Gilmour. However, Gilmour attempted to pass back inside to Clarke but by this time the French had returned to their line of defence.

A few minutes later, the French were awarded a penalty as a Scotland player failed to stand square from their tackle. The penalty conversion was successfully kicked, giving the French an early lead of 2-0. The Scots were quick to react, with Ash Carroll and Howard Cameron gaining valuable ground from forceful drives over the game line. South of France faced immense pressure on their try line.

The Scots were extremely close to gaining their first try after a neat little chip kick from the 5th tackle. However, an awkward bounce allowed the French to win back possession. The forwards played a vital role, creating chances by breaking through the French line of defence. A powerful drive and off load form James Noble created space for the backs to capitalize upon. However, an inaccurate pass out to the right wing meant another chance for the Scots to points on the board was lost. Finally, after 18 minutes of commanding play by the Scottish forwards a brilliant try was scored by Clarke. With remarkable balance, Clarke weaved his way along the left wing, passing five of the opposing players from the French 20 metre line to score the try. Edgar unfortunately missed the tight angled conversion. The French responded a few minutes later with a try created from an overlap on the left wing. The conversion was also missed leaving the score line at 6-4 to the French.

The French were given further opportunity to open the score line after a penalty was awarded against a Scotland player for holding on after the tackle. A poor kick in front of the posts meant no points were gained. The same penalty was given against the French a few minutes later. However, Barry Edgar capitalized on this opportunity with a perfect conversion leaving the score at 6-6. The French team faced a further blow when one its players was sin-binned for punching.

Scotland seized at the opportunity to open the score line. Simon Hogg produced a perfect long pass out to Gilmour who then off loaded it to the winger Logan Colbeck. Colbeck easily outpaced the French defence to score the try. The conversion was also made by Edgar giving Scotland a 12-6 lead. The French came under constant pressure from the Scots. Edgar produced an accurate 40/20 kick allowing Scotland to remain deep in France's half. Van de Hoek also worked extremely hard to produce outstanding tackles minimizing any ground gained by the French.

The French attempted to enter the 2nd half by forcing Scotland back to defend deep. Greater pressure was faced by Scotland Students after the French kicked a 40/20. However, solid defence forced the handling error giving Scotland control of the game. Scotland hit back with a weaving run by Clarke that was almost identical to his try making run in the first half. However, a last ditch tackle by the French stopped the try from being scored. The French were again forced back by tremendous driving from Carroll and Neil Foster. Van de Hoek created an early chance for a try by passing a precise ball out to Colbeck who attempted to sprint up the right wing. Colbeck, realising that he did not have enough room, passed back inside to Gilmour. Gilmour attempted a drop goal but unfortunately missed.

Scotland maintained their pressure on the French by forcing a handling error from a French scrum. Van de Hoek stole the ball and stormed through to score the try. Edgar failed to make the conversion kick but Scotland had opened the score line to 16-6 by the 54th minute. Almost immediately, Clarke scored his second try. Tom Phillips made an outstanding tackle forcing the French to spill the ball, giving Scotland possession a few metres out from the French try line. Clarke was able to break through the tackle and stretch for the try line to score the try. Edgar missed the conversion kick.

However, the score was extended again to 20-6. Phillips, Carroll, and Cameron proved hard work for the French, providing powerful drives over the game line and not allowing their opposition any ground. These drives were invaluable for the final Scotland try in the 71st minute. The forwards forced South of France back beyond their 40m line. Carroll passed in to Van de Hoek who made a break through a gap. Van de Hoek was tackled by the opposition but he skilfully off loaded the ball to Gilmour. Gilmour stormed through a gap in the weary French defence to score the try.

The conversion was then neatly made by Edgar to give Scotland a comfortable lead of 26-6. In the last minute of the match South of France managed to score an easy try from a penalty given away by the Scots for not standing squarely after the tackle. The conversion was also successfully kicked to make the final score line 26-12, a glorious victory for the Scots. Both the management team and players were ecstatic with Scotland's performance. The France Tour has not only meant that the players have gained vital experience. It has also proved that Scotland Students will offer a great deal to the European Championships held in Russia in September. The solid and skilful team now have the opportunity to go far and will be tough competition for the other European teams.

Article taken from www.studentrugbyleague.com