Scotland break Ireland hearts

Scotland 23 Ireland 18: Club International: Ireland suffered late heartbreak in Galashiels last night as Scotland won back the Dalriada Cup after a cracking encounter with their Scottish counterparts.

Jason Hill’s late solo try snatched victory for Scotland against Paul Cunningham’s men.

With 70 minutes played, Ireland led 18-16 but Scotland back-row Hill burst through, flying over the try line for the score. With the conversion going over, it saw Scotland snatch a 23-18 win.

Ireland had trailed to a Graham Wilson penalty after 10 minutes but Ireland hit back through No.8 Jonathan Slattery, going over from five metres. Darragh Lyons converted to give Ireland a 7-3 lead.

Scotland scored a converted try, but Ireland hit back with a second Lyons penalty Roche and a magnificent try after a great move involving by Paul Pritchard, Andrew O’Driscoll, and skipper Matt D’Arcy. The conversion went a-begging.

Leading 15-10 at the break, two penalties by Wilson put Scotland 16-15 ahead as Ireland were reduced to 14.

Scotland themselves were reduced to 14 as Thomson was sin-binned and Lyons’ penalty put Ireland ahead once again.

Then came the late heartbreak with Hill’s heroics to seal a Scotland win.

Referee: Rhys Thomas (Wales).