'A' TEAM THRILL AT FIRHILL PDF Print
Friday, 14 November 2008

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Glasgow back-row Kelly Brown was named Man of the Match
Scotland A thumped Georgia in an 11 try rout at Firhill stadium. Vernon (2), Evans, Mcmillan, Brown, Dewey, Webster, Walker, Henderson (2) and Newlands all crossed the line for the home side whilst a solitary penalty from full back Barkalaia was all the eastern Europeans could muster.

Speaking after the game Head Coach Andy Robinson said: “I was pleased with the ambition with which we played. The guys were pretty relentless.

“Whoever your opposition is, you need to make sure you’re structure is in place and when you get line breaks it’s about the finishing. The guys took their tries well and the support was always there.

“Our performance tonight reflected what these games are all about. The A team is about showcasing your skills and I’m pleased with how the players took their chance to do so.”

It took a while for the experienced Scotland A side to find their feet but when they eventually were able to expose the overlap the floodgates opened. Vernon’s try in the 18th minute catalysed a surge of unyielding Scottish pressure.

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Max Evans touches down for his try - seven of Scotland's 11 tries came from Glasgow players
During the first half the wind proved one of the main adversaries causing a number of early attempts at goal to go asunder. However, this began to play in Scotland’s favour as they were forced to run the ball.

Even in the early stages it was clear Scotland aimed to utilise their pace and fitness to tire the weighty Georgian team. The weaving runs of Max Evans resulted in huge yardage gains and a superb individual try.  

Scotland’s scrummage marshalled by Captain Alastair Kellock and Man of the Match Kelly Brown, also proved very problematic as Georgia were turned over in promising attacking positions.

Both sides rung the changes at half time but the momentum of the game continued in Scotland’s favour. Substitute Andrew Henderson managed to grab two second half tries despite only being on the field for just over a quarter of the game.

Of the 11 tries scored Scotland were able to convert seven. Fly half Gordon Ross grabbed 5 whilst his replacement Colin Gregor landed two. 

Scotland A: Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors); Nikki Walker (Ospreys), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Rob Dewey (Ulster), Mark Robertson (Edinburgh); Gordon Ross (Saracens), Mark McMillan (Glasgow Warriors); Ed Kalman (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Fitzgerald (Toulon), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Craig Hamilton (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN, Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors)

Substitutes: Andrew Kelly (Edinburgh), Gavin Kerr (Edinburgh), Dan Turner (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Newlands (Edinburgh), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Webster (Edinburgh)

Georgia: Otar Barkalaia; Irakli Chkhikvadze, David Kacharava, Alexander Todua, Irakli Machkhameli; Lasha Malaguradze, Irakli Abuseridze CAPTAIN; David Gasviani, Irakli Natriashvili, Guram Kavtidze, Ilia Zedginidze, Kakhaber Uchava, Rati Urushadze, Shalva Sutiashvili, Dimitri Basilaia
Substitutes: David Dadunashbili, Vasil Kakovin, Besarion Udesiaini, Simoni Maisuradze, Bidzina Samkharadze, Merab Kvirikashvili, Giorgi Shkinin

 
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