Ireland U-20s bounce back against Scots

Ireland U-20s 17 Scotland U-20s 12

Eric Elwood's Ireland side maintained their winning ways at Dubarry Park tonight where they beat Scotland in a finely balanced RBS U-20 Six Nations encounter.

Played in ideal conditions in front of another decent attendance at the midlands venue, Ireland bounced back from their defeat in France a fortnight ago to keep themselves in the championship race.

They got off to a flying start when James Sandford charged through for a try within three minutes. Although Martin Dufficy missed the conversion, he soon added two penalties to give Ireland a highly-promising 11-0 lead after a mere 12 minutes.

Ireland looked lively and inventive at this stage on the firm sod, while Scotland rued a missed penalty from right in front of the posts.

Dufficy, the Dublin University clubman, stretched the home side's advantage to 17-0 with two successful penalties from three kicks while both sides had a player sin-binned in separate incidents before the break.

But Scotland came roaring out of the blocks on the restart and Stephen McColl got through much too easily for a soft 45th-minute try which he converted himself.

Ireland were rocked by this and were twice caught badly off-guard eight minutes later.

They were penalised for numbers at a lineout and Scotland quickly tapped the free kick with Tom Bury popping up on the left wing to get in for a try to narrow the margin to 17-12.

Ireland had now lost their momentum and were guilty of far too much aimless kicking.

Dufficy was short with a penalty on the hour mark, but Scotland failed to clear their lines and the home side earned another penalty but referee David Rosich over-ruled his touch judges in not awarding a score.

Thus, Ireland had to endure a nervous final quarter but, to their credit, Elwood's young charges steadied the ship and regained their composure to hold onto possession for a victory that was much tighter than had looked likely at half-time.

Queen's University prop Paul Karayiannis claimed the ESB International man-of-the-match award afterwards for his hard-working display.

Scorers:

Ireland: Try: James Sandford; Pens: Martin Dufficy 4

Scotland: Tries: Stephen McColl, Tom Bury; Con: Stephen McColl