Ireland left to rue missed opportunity

Six Nations: Scotland U20 21 Ireland U20 20

Arguably it was a match Ireland should have won, and certainly had their goal kicking been up to the mark, they would have been clear winners. But on the night Tom Daly had a nightmare of a match in front of the posts, missing two conversions and a penalty, success in any one of which would have provided Ireland with victory.

Just as disappointing for Ireland was their failure to make more capital out of what was a strong scrum and a fluent lineout. Throughout the match Ireland’s pack had the Scots struggling in the set scrum and although the Irish side extracted a penalty try from their pressure, it was a small gain.

A physical start to the match by Ireland offered a chance for points in the first minute only for centre Daly to miss his kick at goal. Then when Scotland centre Chris Auld got his boot to the ball flanker Josh van der Flier did well to cover back.

Scotland’s attacking game soon paid off when, from a lineout, the Scots sucked in the Ireland defence before spinning the ball wide for Robbie Fergusson to put in a neat grubber kick that sat up for full back Ruairidh Young to score the game’s opening try. Tommy Allan added the conversion.

Ireland replied with a Daly penalty but almost immediately Scotland delivered a hammer blow with an interception try by Damien Hoyland after the winger got hands to the ball from a pass by Steve Crosbie intended for Rory Scholes, Allan’s second conversion giving the home side a 14-3 lead.

Then when Ireland worked the ball off a penalty lineout number 8 Ryan Murphy had room to dive over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Ireland wing David Pante then finished off good work by the forwards by crashing over in the corner, Daly again wide with the conversion attempt. The centre then missed a penalty kick just on half-time, leaving Scotland holding on to a slender 14-13 lead.

After the break only desperate defence by the Scots prevented a try by Murphy after lock Gavin Thornbury had surged forward. But the pressure took its toll on Scotland as flanker Will Bordill was shown a yellow card for hands in the ruck. Ireland opted for a scrum and made their strength pay, forcing Scotland to concede a penalty try, Daly’s conversion giving Ireland a 20-14 advantage.

But a second try by Hoyland after a penalty lineout restored the lead for Scotland.

Allan then put over the difficult conversion kick, putting Scotland back into the lead with the scoreline at 21-20 resulting a tense last few minutes as the Scots wound down the clock to achieve a great win.

Scorers for Scotland: D Hoyland 2 tries; R Young try; T Allan 3 cons.

Scorers for Ireland: R Murphy, D Panter try each; Penalty try; T Daly con, pen.

SCOTLAND U20: R Young; D Hoyland, C Auld, R Fergusson, R Hughes; T Allan, S Hidalgo-Clyne; J Bhatti, C Black, P Cringle, J Gray, A Sinclair, A Henderson, W Bordill, A Ashe.

Replacements: A Price for Hidalgo-Clyne 22 mins, D Rae for Cringle 55, S Muir for Bhatti 55, T Spinks for Henderson 63, K Buchan for young 65, R Kennedy for Black 67

R Leishman for Sinclair 75.

IRELAND U20: D Leader; D Panter, T Daly, R Scannell, R Scholes; S Crosbie, L McGrath; P Dooley, G McGuigan, C Taylor, G Thornbury, J Donnan, P Timmins, J Van Der Flier, R Murphy,

Replacements: M Roche for Scannell (2-8, blood, 66)

J Andrew for Mc Guigan 69, D Sweetnam for Crosbie 72, J Creightan for Mc Grath 77, E Masterson for Timmins 79.

Referee: I Davies (WRU)

Picture: Ireland's John Andrew dejected after the game. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan