Ireland kicked off to Scotland in the final match of the 2011 Amateur Four Nations, in what was to be the second thrilling encounter of the day at Scotstoun Stadium after Scotland Rugby League's Under 18 squad disposed of England Colleges Under 19's by 14 - 12. Scotland 'A' required a 3 point win to finish second in the Amateur Four Nations which they finished off in style to defeat the Wolfhounds by 26 - 18.
Mike Stewart broke down the far flank and offloaded to Mark Greenwood who was held up in the tackle and Ireland recovered possession. Ireland received a penalty after the kick through Scotland playing the ball in an offside position which gave them a platform to mount their attack. Quick line speed by Dom Pullen forced an error from the Irish Centre and Scotland was awarded a penalty for offside. The Scots worked well up field before being halted at their own line.
Some skilful play by Grodynski released Greenwood down the wing before offloading to Stewart who half broke before Parkinson received the ball wide and slid over for the score. Grodynski converted putting Scotland into a 6 - 0 lead.
Ireland began their attack in the Scottish half but was thwarted through resilient defence led by Scotland's Dave Vernon. Ireland was awarded a penalty and Aaron McCloskey led the charge crashing over the Scottish line to score. Carmody added the extras to level the scores at 6 - 6.
Scotland worked out of their 20 metre area before Grodynski kicked long. Vernon led the chase that took down Taylor just outside the Irish 20. Scotland conceded a penalty in their own half that left them desperately scrambling and it was Vernon who came up with the goods intercepting the Irish pass but was brought down.
As the Irish attacked the Scots defence put pressure on them and forced the Irish wing into touch but a loose carry from McNee left the Scots defending deep in their own half. The defence forced the error from the Irish centre and Scotland regained possession. Coupar kicked long. Taylor broke the defensive line but was brought down in a quick scramble from Jarvis.
Scotland attacked erratically down the left flank but couldn't penetrate the defensive line. Ireland elected to kick early and kicked long which left Broere with a difficult bounce but he gathered and half broke through the middle of the park.
Ireland moved up field through Carmody and Boyle with some good handling play from Flanagan, Ireland had a chance down the close wing as Parkhill received the ball a forward pass was awarded letting the Scots off the hook. Grodynski kicked the ball long which bounced over the dead ball line but Ireland infringed on the 20 restart and Scotland were awarded a penalty which allowed second rower Mike Stewart the opportunity to break the Irish line and dive over for the score, Grodynski' kick was unsuccessful leaving the score 10 - 6 in Scotland's favour.
Ireland threatened in attack through Mulhern and Barcoe but was unable to breach the Scottish defence before the halftime break.
HALF TIME
SCOTLAND 10 - 6 SCOTLAND
Scotland restarted the second half, Coupar took the ball in before offloading to Vernon who split the Irish defence and managed to offload to the supporting Mike Stewart to race in for his second score of the day. Grodynski converted to give Scotland a 16 - 6 lead.
From the restart, Scotland conceded a penalty that allowed Irelands' Barcoe a chance out wide but it was Callum Cockburn knocked on in an attempt to intercept. Ireland had an overlap but strong defence from Parkinson and Broere forced Ireland to miss the pass and Scotland recovered possession.
Grodynski passed the ball to Mcnee who shipped the ball wide that unleashed Dom Pullen who outpaced the Irish defence to score in the corner. Grodynski conversion attempt bounced off the crossbar to further increase Scotland's lead to 20 - 6.
Ireland mounted an attack that looked to be the best of the match so far as Rathati broke the Scottish line before offloading to Flannigan who spread the ball wide to McCloskey. Superb defence from Grodynski dislodged the ball McNally. Scotland worked out of pressure but a knock on put them back under the Irish's' hammering attack but again the stubborn Scottish defence from Cockburn and Broere put Taylor into touch.
A penalty against Vernon for a high tackle saw Ireland again attack the Scottish line this time however it was McNally who stretched out to score for Ireland. Cross added the extras. Scotland 20 - 12 Ireland.
Scotland conceded a penalty for a high tackle against Martyn Nicol which allowed Ireland to work up field before Barcoe stretched out under the posts giving Cross an easy conversion to take them within 2 points of Scotland (20 - 18).
Scotland were awarded 2 back to back penalties that put them into the Irish half, Mcnee dinked a kick in goal for Pullen to cross but the kick ran long.
Scotland charged again through the backs and Broere was in support of Pullen and stepped inside of Taylor to score to the left of the uprights. Grodynski converted giving Scotland a 26 - 18 lead.
Ireland began their attack again and kicked deep, the ball bounced high in goal and Broere returned the ball 30 metres before being taken down. Vernon worked the ball into the Irish 20 metre before following up with a solid chase to close down any Irish counter attack.
With minutes to go Scotland worked the ball well with Vernon kicking in goal and Pullen catching the Irish attacker to force a drop out.
With that the final whistle sounded and Scotland recorded a 26 - 18 victory that put them into second place in the final standings for the Amateur Four Nations 2011.
Scotland:
1: Nick Broere
2: Dom Pullen
3: Rob Sloman
4: Callum Cockburn
5: Mark Greenwood
6: Dave Vernon
7; Andy Grodynski
8: Colin Jarvis
9: Nathan Crichton
10: Niall Parkinson
11: Mike Stewart
12: Mattie McNee
13: Paddy Coupar
14: Ross Grady
15: Ray Festorazzi
16: Martyn Nicoll
17: Greg Wallace
Try's
Parkinson, Stewart (2), Pullen, Broere
Conversions:
Grodynski (3)
Ireland:
1: Joe Taylor
2: Mark Tuohy
3: Joe Mulhern
4: Paddy Barcoe
5: David Parkhill
6: Sean Carmody
7: Brian Flannigan
8: Brendan Guillfoyle
9: Conor McNally
10: Aaron McCloskey
11: Alan Trenier
12: Paddy Boyle
13: Ian Cross
14: Alan McNamara
15: Tom Ratahi
16: Cahal O' Reilly
17: Mark O Neill
Try's
McCloskey, McNally, Barcoe
Conversions:
Cross (2)
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