Scotland Under-20 34 Italy Under-20 17: Young Scots secure win and a place in France

Monday 18 June 2012

Scotland secured their place in next year's IRB Junior World Championship, to be staged in France, by defeating Italy in the penultimate round match at the University of the Western Cape Stadium yesterday.

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Alan Lorimer

The result, their first win in the tournament, means the Scots will finish the championship in at least their seeded position of 10th and go into Friday's final round against Samoa without the pressure of relegation hanging over them.

The young Scots were favourites to win against Italy, having put in good performances against France and Argentina in the pool matches. In the event, they lived up to their billing, scoring five tries to two in a polished performance that reflected their growing confidence. "This was a very good win by us," said Bryan Easson, the Scotland under-20 coach, "We were always in command. Defensively, we were excellent and we managed to thwart their lineout drives with skilful work. "I thought that individually we had outstanding performances from Mitch Eadie, props Robin Hislop and Alex Allan, and winger Jamie Farndale."I thought, too, that Harry Leonard managed the game well and gave us the territorial dominance we wanted."Italy, desperate for the win that would book their place in next year's championship, made a strong start to the match with a drop goal after only three minutes from stand-off John Appleley. Thereafter, Scotland took control to score tries by No.8 Eadie, with the conversion from Leonard, the captain, and winger Farndale. Italy replied with a try from outside centre Giulio Bisengi converted by Appleley to make the score 12-10. The Scots, however, finished the first half strongly by scoring a third try, this time from inside- centre Finn Russell, successfully converted by Leonard. After the break, Eadie bagged a second try, converted by Leonard, who followed with a penalty goal before Italy briefly came back into the game with a converted try from full-back David Odiete. However, Scotland had the final say as Farndale beat three defenders to score his second try of the game and his fourth of the championship. Leonard converted to seal a fine win. Scorers. Scotland. Tries. Eadie (2), Farndale (2), Russell. Cons Leonard (3). Pens LeonardItaly. Tries. Bisengi, Odiete. Cons Apperley (2). Drop goal ApperleyScotland S Hidalgo-Clyne; J Farndale, M Bennett, F Russell, T Steven; H Leonard (captain), M McConnell; R Hislop, F Scott, A Allan, G Graham, A Redmayne. C Reid, W Bordill, M Eadie Subs used: G Turner, S Smith, M Torrance, A NagleItaly D Odiete; A Morsellino, G Bisegni, A Bettin, A Tartaglia; J Apperley, G Calabrese; S Panico, G Maistri (captain), P Ceccarelli, M Ferro, A Luca Mammana, Z Guglielmo, J Salvetti, F Conforti Subs used G Scalvi, L Scarsini, L Conti, A Zdrilich, V Marazzi, M Violi, E Padovani, G BenvenutiReferee F Pastrana (Argentina)

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Scotland Under-20 34 Italy Under-20 17: Young Scots secure win and a place in France

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