SCOTLAND BRAVEHEARTS 30 IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS 38
BARRY McGUFFOG, Royal High School, Edinburgh, Saturday

IRELAND, who were 18-6 behind at the break, posted six unanswered tries before the 68th minute to close as convincing winners, despite a strong finish by Scotland.

Flying winger James Buckeridge helped himself to a sizzling hat-trick in the rally, his first two touchdowns being registered by the 54th minute. 

Jack Wise crossed by the hour, and Buckeridge grabbed his third score as the game entered the final quarter.

Julian Power and Johnny Campbell completed an assault inspired by loose-forward Oisin Carroll – Ireland’s best player – while Eoin Ratchford closed with five goals, including his conversion of Morisi McGoon’s try, which had opened the scoring on 17 minutes.

Scotland, though, illustrated that they have what it takes to exact retribution in the return, which will be played at Garda, Westmanstown RUFC, Dublin on Saturday, September 5, with a couple of late touchdowns.

The first went to Terry Logan, with eight minutes left, the second to Sean McKervail before the end of the next set. 

George Shannon – Scotland’s best player – improved both scores in a five-from-five return with the boot.

The stand-off had helped give the hosts what had looked like a match-winning lead with his conversions of first-half tries by Duncan Arthur, Louis Senter and Ross Moir.

BRAVEHEARTS: Louis Senter, Ben Sykes, Roveratabua Tawanayavulau, Sean McKervail, Paul Ritch, George Shannon, JP Redmond, Terry Logan, Duncan Arthur, Bill Seru, Ethan Deakin, Ross Moir, Jordan Duncan. Subs: Lee Cairney, Dec Smith, Jack Petre, Kris Illingworth, Gregor Cowan 

WOLFHOUNDS: Alex Kenefick, James Buckeridge, Julian Power, Cam Carruthers, Jack Wise, Conor Colman, Eoin Ratchford, Johnny Campbell, Conor Mahon, Graeme O’Reilly, Cameron Brill, Joe McConnell, Oisin Carroll. Subs: Morisi McGoon, Paddy Stapleton, Ryan Hogg, Kyle Barrett, Sean Mahon

Referee: Adam Houston