Edinburgh Rugby Supporters Club

[Oldsalt]

Much as I like Andrew on the wing I'm not sure if his defensive capabilities are up to it for this match.

[djphilp]

[Jon]

MArk Robertson looked good this evening, shame about the result

[Loops]

I think Rob Moffat has done a fantastic job with the A team. The match yesterday had some of the best-to-watch rugby I've seen for quite a while. They were inventive, willing to change tactics when required, skill levels were good, and they played like they were really enjoying it - something I feel is missing from our games too often!

The team can hold their heads high.

[djphilp]

I'm really looking forward to seeing our back combinations next season at Edinburgh. We have some real strength in depth in all positions now and a backs coach who seems to want to play an exciting creative and attacking brand of rugby.

Add that to a pretty good pack and a head/forwards coach who also prefers a fast, abrasive, attacking game rather than a slow fatty orientated one, and it is pretty mouth watering to be an Edinburgh fan.

All we need now is a different coaching team at international level who have the same ethos.

[jrp]

I was very surprised with Gregor last night - I thought he had a fantastic match.

Quite pleased with it all - they did the jersey proud. Never 17pts in it - I feared the worse when I saw who the ref was.

[SpecialK]

http://www.scottishrugby.org/sru/international/scotland/news.cfm?news_uuid=ACED11F4-EF75-7DCB-D88D5B4B44164CD4

Scotland 'A' 19, England Saxons 36

The Scotland A team finished second in the Barclays Churchill Cup tonight as they went down 19-36 in the Cup final against England Saxons at Toyota Park in Chicago.

Scotlands Churchill Cup campaign began three weeks ago when they recorded a 26-10 victory over co-host nation Canada in Ottawa, a win that saw a hat-trick of tries from fullback Steve Jones.

The A team then had four days to travel to Kingston, Ontario, where they faced a hardy Argentina Pumas side. Another bonus point victory saw Scotland A top Pool A with maximum points (10).

In spite of playing some sparkling rugby during tonights final, Scotland A lost out to reining champions England Saxons who lifted their fourth Cup title in six years.

The Scots led in both halves but unforced errors which resulted in turnovers enabled the Saxons to score two of their three second-half tries and retain the silverware.

Scotland A made a sprightly start and from Dan Turner at the lineout, Rob Dewey and Mark Robertson both stretched the England defence before Gordon Ross's snap drop-goal gave the Scots a ninth minute lead.

From the restart the Scots were penalised for going to deck and Ryan Lamb levelled, but, almost at once, Ollie Smith obstructed Calum MacRae in open play, and Rosss penalty regained the lead for Scotland A.

The game continued to ebb and flow, Lamb equalising in the 17th minute with his second penalty as the prelude to the Saxons taking the lead. Smiths transfer was the key and Anthony Allans inside pass saw Matt Banahan storm off his wing for a try. Lamb converted, so Scotland A trailed 6-13.

Scotland A almost pulled back a try before the break. Alan MacDonald took ball at the lineout tail and released Roland Reid, Dewey supported and Robertson was denied at the opposite flag by a fine cover tackle from Lamb.

Referee Simon McDowell had been playing an offside advantage and Ross duly slotted the penalty but in first-half stoppage time that penalty was cancelled out by a third such effort from Lamb.

There was still time remaining for MacRae, who had looked dangerous on the break in the opening period, to find a hole again in the midfield, but the timing of his pass saw Dewey fumble and the chance went a begging.

Half-time score: Scotland A 9, England Saxons 16

Scotland A grabbed their first try of the final within three minutes of the restart. MacDonalds resilience set up the chance and Dewey powered through two tackles before feeding left to Colin Gregor who had enough gas to reach the try line before the desperately retreating Ugo Moyne. Rosss conversion brought Scotland A back to 16-all.

Four minutes later Ross landed his third penalty and Scotland A edged ahead again at 19-16. At the other end, MacRae had to make a saving tackle on the giant Banahan but Scotland A were penalised and Lamb goaled for 19-all.

A mis-firing Scotland A lineout saw Saxons win possession within five metres of the Scots line and Nick Abendanon crossed for their second try as the defensive line lost its shape. Lamb converted.

Scotland A tried to raise their game and with ten minutes remaining Andrew Turnbull almost conjured an opening after a sustained period of pressure. However tries from Jordan Crane and Ugo Moyne in the closing eight minutes saw the Saxons home.

After the game, Scotland A team head coach, Rob Moffat said: "We were probably seen as underdogs going into this game but we came here to win the Churchill Cup.

"The boys trained very well over the three weeks and performed well at times. We just werent good enough on the day. There were two or three good chances today and we just didnt take them.

Throughout the tour, we have played the type of rugby that we wanted to play and Im proud of the players for achieving that.]