meek subst par
Scottish Schools 6,
Welsh Schools 13
AS the visiting side lined up for the pre-match picture at the
Greenyards, I remarked to a Welsh Schools official that they looked a
fairly big team. ''Some of them,'' he replied, ''are kneeling.''
Which illustrated perfectly the dilemma facing the Scottish lads.
There was not just 6ft 10in Derwyn Jones with which to contend, his
second-row partner Lindsay Harvey was 6-5, and the comparatively
diminutive Andrew Price at 6-4 was as good a No.8 as you would find in
most first division sides.
Scotland, therefore, saw very little of the ball from the lineout.
Jones is raw but took some lovely two-handed catches. Like many so tall
players, he is rather easily tipped up, yet he certainly will be a force
in the future.
It was to the Scots' credit that, living on such short rations, and
also having to cope with a retreating scrum, they contained the Welsh so
well. That was due to magnificient tackling, particularly from the
backs.
The centres, Nick White and Nigel Douglas, knocked over their men with
undisguised relish, White reminding me somewhat of Brian Henderson.
Another who never was passed, Glasgow Academy's Kenneth Thomson, brought
off one try-saver in the first half.
All the Scottish forwards paid their way at ruck and maul. Geordie
McGill's red mane was always to the fore, and he had great support from
Andrew Ness, until he took a knock, and Finlay Graham, who even
contrived to take two strikes against the head.
Jonathan Newton is a tidy player with a big boot, just like his father
Ray, and Andrew Nicol a stylish scrum half. Newton kicked both the
Scottish penalties, and he was not far away with a couple of others.
McGill came nearest to a try when he rampaged through half the Welsh
pack in the second half.
But it was Wales who produced a touchdown in both periods. Gareth
Matthews, a most elusive wing, had the first, snapping up a kick-through
by centre Ian Jones. The other came from a scrum almost on the Scots'
line, Price making room for scrum half Howley to shoot over. Full back
Evans kicked a conversion and a penalty goal.
After they play the Scottish Youth team, the Scottish Schools next
face Ireland in April with hopes, no doubt, of being able to pick on
someone their own size.
Scottish Schools -- G J Findlay (Dollar Academy); J W K Anderson
(Merchiston Castle), N G Douglas (Edinburgh Academy), C N White
(Merchiston Castle), K C Thomson (Glasgow Academy); J R Newton, A D
Nicol, captain, (both Dundee High); O Fowara (Edinbrugh Academy), F M
Graham (Dundee Grammar), G F Walsingham (Merchiston Castle), D A Barnett
(Perth Academy), M J McVie (Edinburgh Academy), S P Thompson (Morrison's
Academy), A G Ness (Dollar Academy), D G McGill (Dundee High).
Replacement -- J C M Van Beusekon (Strathallan) for Ness (48min).
Welsh Schools -- L Evans (Llandovery College); P Jones (Pencoed), I
Jones (Llandovery College), G Lewis (Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf), G Matthews
(Brynteg); M Lewis (Llandovery College), R Howley, captain, (Brynteg); M
Davies (Pontypool TC), H Daniels (Gorseinon TC), D Lloyd (Ynysawdre CS),
L Harvey (Maesteg CS), D Jones (Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera), O Lloyd
(Llandovery College), A Price (Amman Valley CS), S Jenkins (Bishop Gore
CS).
Referee -- G H Black (Irish RFU).
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