The Under 17s maintained their place at the top of the league with another convincing win, this time against Harpenden.
The match started well for the Scottish boys when, with 4 minutes on the clock, a line-out was stolen. The ball was moved left and on the next phase fly-half Iain kicked open. Miles pressured the defence and from the ensuing ruck the ball was won and flanker Sam ran in the first score.
Harpenden came straight back to level the scores after a dropped ball in the Scottish 22. At this early point in the game it looked as though it was going to be a tense affair. However, with 11 minutes gone No. 8 Miles picked up from the back of a scrum and made ground. Three forward drives later and the ball was moved to the right for winger David to score out wide. Josh added the conversion for a 12-5 lead.
The next Scottish score was constructed in a similar fashion. This time a lineout was won by Jamie and the ball was moved swiftly left. Raph cantered in for the third score.
With 25 minutes gone the boys stole a Harpenden lineout and the ball was again moved left. This time Raph delivered a perfect pass for Josh to score the bonus point try in the corner.
Half-time: Scottish 22 – Harpenden 5.
With substitutions made at the start of the second half, including a debut for Harry in the second row, there was the potential for disruption to the performance. Harpenden did get off to the better start but when the ball was lost in the Scottish half, the ball was kicked ahead and Harith chased it to the Harpenden try line. He just missed the touch down but Raph was on hand to follow up for his second score.
Further substitutions were made and it took until the 22nd minute of the half to add further points. This time No 8 Miles picked up the ball from a Scottish scrum just inside his own half. A quick feed to scrum-half Demi and further ground was made. Miles followed up for the return pass and sprinted clear for the score. Josh added the conversion for a 34-5 lead.
Miles added the next points too. This time Demi made a break from inside his own 22. Some fantastic side-steps allowed him to make significant ground. Miles was again on hand to support, but the ball was lost, then re-won, and Miles crept in for his second try.
With the last move of the match the Scottish boys again showed good control of the ball and an awareness of the space. After a few thrusts the ball was moved left and Liam finished convincingly, despite the attentions of his opposite number.
The final score line was probably rather harsh on the Harpenden team but well done to Scottish pack who were dominant in the scrum and the backs who used the available space well. Most importantly the boys managed to maintain their intensity throughout the 70 minutes.
