Match Report: Scotland Men U20 123-15 Samoa U20 – Scottish Rugby

A successful line out turned into a heavy driving maul with Jerry Blyth-Lafferty at the helm. After heaving a few meters forward, Scotland were told to play. The ball was offloaded out through the forwards and eventually into the hands of second row Ryan Burke who collapsed over the line for the first five points. (5-0)

Shortly after the 11 minute mark, Scotland secured their second try when they merged into a heavy driving maul that crashed over the line with Jerry Blyth-Lafferty at the helm. Andrew McLean added conversion bringing the score up another seven points.(12-0)

Just three minutes later, the young Scots got themselves back up the field. A tackle brought the ball to the ground just before the try line, but a sneaky gather and stretch from scrum half Conor McAlpine let him add his name to the scoreboard. Andrew McLean’s boot was good again. (19-0)

After Samoa’s line out wasn’t straight, Scotland opted for a line out of their own. Some excellent hands brought the ball into the hands of Andrew McLean who side stepped the Samoan full back and dived over the line. He converted his own try. (26-0)

At the restart, Samoa’s Kirisimasi Douglas was shown a yellow for taking the playing in the air and was sent to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin. 

Samoa scored their first points of the afternoon when they were awarded a penalty for Scotland not rolling. Full back Panaua Niulevaea added the three points. (26-3)

The young Scots responded quickly after and some more great offloading went through Findlay Thomson, Johnny Ventisei and eventually to Finlay Doyle who sprinted towards and dived over the line. Andrew McLean’s kick was good once again. (33-3)

It was Ollie Blyth-Lafferty’s turn to get his name on the scoreboard, when the ball got out onto the left wing from the scrum and was gathered by the 18-year-old who tanked over for his first try on debut. Andrew McLean’s boot was the gift that kept on giving and he added the extras. (40-3)

Finlay Doyle was in for his second of the game when a break from Ryan Burke and Johnny Ventisei, got the ball into the wing’s hands and he raced over the line from 40 meters out. Andrew McLean once again got the kick. (47-3)

The Scots hit the 50 point mark just four minutes later when Finlay Doyle made a break for the line (and almost his hat trick) but offloaded to Conor McAlpine who found Johnny Ventisei out the back door who was over. (52-3)

Just a couple of minutes later, and the Scots were back up on the right side of the pitch. Fergus Watson gathered a lose ball and sprinted to dive over. Andrew McLean had pin point accuracy again to covert. (59-3)

And if it couldn’t get any better, just before half time prop Robbie Deans put his foot on the gas and made a solid break for the line to score on the whistle. McLean converted, finishing off a 10 try half. (66-3)

Half time: Scotland U20 66-3 Samoa U20

It was only a minute in and the Scots were scoring again. A penalty kicked to the corner saw Jerry Blyth-Lafferty gather at the back and crash over the line for his second. (71-3)

It was only a matter of time before Finlay Doyle on the wing was going to get his hat trick. After a break from Andrew McLean, captain Liam McConnell tanked up the field and offloaded to Doyle who was over. Conor McAlpine took over kicking duties and was successful. (78-3)

In the 48th minute Samoa managed to secure their first try of the afternoon when a penalty was awarded when Scotland were offside close to the line. Totoa Auvaa added the pressure and pushed his way through the defence to dot down. (78-8)

Samoa were given another penalty for being offside and the Scots kicked to the corner. The ball was gathered out of the successful line out maul by replacement second row Ruaraidh Hart who slipped through the defence for his first try. Andrew McLean took back kicking duties and was successful. (85-8)

A lovely break from Freddy Douglas saw the ball get back down the pitch and into the hands of Fergus Watson who was in for his double. (90-8)

Just minutes later and Fergus was in for his hat trick. Replacement prop Ben White charged down mid field before Fergus received and slipped through the Samoan defence. (97-8)

Scotland hit the triple digit score mark on the 63rd minute and this time it was Callum Norrie who crashed over the line after a 50:22 kick from Hector Patterson resulted in a successful line out. (106-8)

Samoa were awarded a penalty five meters out and Totoa Auvaa crashed over the line from the pick and go. Their kick was good. (106-15)

A quick response came from the Scots and after McLean was taken by a few Samoan defenders, captain Liam McConnell got his turn at scoring by barrelling past the defence. McLean’s kick was successful again. (111-15)

Another one for Scotland saw Jack Hocking go over after a selfless offload from Kerr Yule. (116-15)

And the final points of the day went to Gavin Parry, as he crashed over after throwing into a lineout and then getting the ball back from Patterson. (123-15)

Full time: Scotland U20 123-15 Samoa U20

Earlier in the day at Hive, Japan U20 were 105-20 winners against Hong Kong China U20 and Uruguay U20 won 25-7 against Kenya U20.

Scotland U20: 15. Fergus Watson 14. Finlay Doyle 13. Johnny Ventisei 12. Findlay Thomson 11. Geordie Gwynn 10. Andrew McLean 9. Conor McAlpine 1. Robbie Deans 2. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty 4. Euan McVie 5. Ryan Burke 6. Liam McConnell CAPTAIN 7. Freddy Douglas 8. Tom Currie

Substitutes: 16. Gavin Parry 17. Ben White 18. Callum Norrie 19. Ruaraidh Hart 20. Jonny Morris 21. Hector Patterson 22. Kerr Yule 23. Jack Hocking

Samoa U20: 15. Panaua Niulevaea 14. Taitafono Tavita 13. Sefuluai Vaimauga 12. Kirisimasi Douglas 11. Thomas Moors 10. Antonio Popoalii 9. James Singh 1. Harry Hanipale 2. Pitone Avito 3. Spencer Ioelu 4. Totoa Auvaa 5. Hennie Faavae 6. Josh Fuimaono 7. Tagiilima Ripine CAPTAIN 8. Benjamin Faavae

Substitutes: 16. Jonathan Apelu 17. Alauni Fatu 18. Paul Masoe 19. Simon Mauigoa 20. Senio Faalupega 21. Ravuama Seruvakula 22. Kitiona Asovale 23. Maoaluma Pasa