Scotland Club XV 23 Ireland Club XV 18
Ireland were forced to hand back the Dalriada Cup after losing to Scotland in the Club International match at Netherdale in the Scottish Borders despite playing the better rugby for much of the match.
The Irish side looked more accomplished with ball in hand and the more physical at the contact area but ultimately they were undone by indiscipline that resulted in yellow cards for flanker Paul Pritchard and replacement backrow Kieran O’Gorman.
But the killer blow was their failure to prevent Scotland flanker Jason Hill from scoring what was a spectacular 70-metre winning try.
“We didn’t take our chances and they did. But I’m pleased that the players had a very positive attitude. Overall it was a fine game of rugby” said Ireland coach Paul Cunningham.
Ireland were certainly the better side in the first half and fully deserved their 15-10 interval advantage after tries by number eight Jon Slattery, after a quick tap and go free kick, and centre Mark Roche after the impressive Pritchard had broken the Scots defence. The other points came from a conversion and penalty by outhalf Darragh Lyons.
Scotland, who had scored a first half try through number eight Ross Weston from close range - the conversion and penalty from scrumhalf Graham Wilson - looked more purposeful in the second half, earning two penalty goals from Wilson.
But a penalty by Lyons restored the lead for Ireland only for Hill to lay on a spectacular finish for Scotland with his long-range try, Wilson completing a perfect kicking performance with the conversion.
Scorers
Scotland: Tries Weston, Hill Cons Wilson (2)Pens Wilson (3)
Ireland: Tries Slattery, Roche Cons Lyons Pens Lyons(2)
Scotland : F Thomson; C Gossman, L Steele, R Curle, S McLeod; S Edwards, G Wilson; N Beavon, R Anderson, S Cessford, R Nimmo, I Moody, J Hill, W Bordill, R Weston. Replacements: F Scott Anderson 56, E McQuillin for Fagerson 50, P Eccles for Hill 75, T Spinks for Weston 64, G Graham for Wilson79
Ireland: D Riordan; S O'Neill, M Roche, M D'Arcy, E O'Keefe; D Lyons, N Cronin ; I Prendiville, A O'Driscoll, D Lavery, S Gardner, F Walsh, S Mulholland, P Pritchard, J Slattery. Replacements: E Rossiter for O'Driscoll 59, G Sweeney for Lavery 15, P O'Shea for Prediville 68, S Walsh for Gardner 75, K O'Gorman for Mulholland 71, A Lloyd for Cronin 64, S Murphy, for Roche 74, K McGrath for O'Keefe 64
Referee: R Thomas (Wales)
