U20 Six Nations: Scotland 17-33 England - Visitors triumph in hard-fought clash in Edinburgh

In the first five minutes England claimed themselves majority of possession but Scotland were able to halt them and drive them back repeatedly. It looked as if Scotland’s 10, Jake Dalziel, would open up the scoring as he intercepted a pass and ran to England’s 5m line before being brought down, unfortunately for the home supporters he was called back into his own half for an offside.

Scotland showed they had a dominant pack, driving back England’s scrum on the halfway line. But England’s 9, Lucas Friday popped the ball out before a penalty was given. He quickly chipped the ball over Scotland, regathering himself before passing to his fellow half back, Finn Keylock, to score the first try of the evening. Keylock’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful but impressively bounced off of two of the posts’ bars and then the ground before bouncing back up and between the sticks. 0-5

It looked as if Keylock might score another with a metre making run just after the 10 minute mark but he was brought down and his boot floew even further down the pitch, England kept the pressure up but gave away a penalty and Scotland took a scrum on their own 5m line right between the posts. They cleared the ball quickly and pushed the ball back to the halfway line. A box kick catch being knocked on by England saw Scotland with their first real opportunity within Englands half.

England were spared immediate pressure thanks to a not-straight Scottish lineout, giving England a chance to dismantle the Scottish momentum. A break from Scotland hooker and vice captain Joe Roberts and Winger Rory Mchaffie saw the threats return but England won a penalty on both occasions to see Scotland scoreless in the frst 20.

England took the reigns again and quickly found themselves in Scotland's 22 and a second score falling into their laps. Scotland's line-out went from the hands of Scotland's hooker and straight over into the hands of his opposite number, Jimmy Staples, who ran onto the ball and crashed over the line. Successful conversion from 10 this time for a 12-nil point lead.

Minutes later England returned the favour. Defending a line-out five metres from their goal line England trys corer Staples lifted Scotland's players above the horizontal and gave Scotland another line-out and perfect opportunity, An opportunity that they took by securing the line-out ball well and barreling through phases, creeping inches from England's try line. After a couple of phases Scotland’s 9, Hamish Macarthur, grounded the ball and scored Scotland's first of the evening. The moment was tainted however by a post try scuffle between a few of the players.

Despite the referee, Ben Connor, taking a moment to speak with both captains about the behavior and an unsuccessful conversion, Scotland’s momentum remained and they shortly found themselves within 5m of England's try line again. A pre-planned move from the line displayed quick hands from the Scotland's backs placing Scotland winger Mchaffie through a gap and across the line. A successful conversion from Macarthur put the game tied at 12-a-piece after 30 minutes.

Ben Connor showed England 7, Seb Kelly a yellow card for repeat infringements and critically a penalty in the ruck in the lead up to Scotland's latest try. England were not to be perturbed by the card though, immediately flipping the picture on Scotland, running the phases on their try line just as they had found themselves defending moments ago. England took the lead once again with Skipper number 8, Connor Traecey scoring their third try and looking to end the half a converted try ahead at 12-9.

Regaining posession after the restart, Scotland didn’t want to finish the half on Englands terms and quickly entered Englands 22. Battling through the phases, the numbers advantage became apparent as Scotland slowly drove England back with fewer white tops able to engage in every breakdown. A miniute into the red and Scotland had whittled England back to ther try line and prop Jamie Stewart drove through in the corner to end the half with a smaller gap.

England seized control to begin the second half – riding out the remaining minute of Kelly’s period in the sin bin in the drivers seat. What was celebrated by the away contingent as an early try from England was checked by the refereeing officials and ruled out. Scotland briefly alleviated the pressure by winning possession and clearing the ball, but a strong run from England's backs saw a white wall jog run over Scotland’s try line with fullback, James Pater scoring England's 4^th try five minutes into the second half. 17-26

A 50 22 from Lucas Friday saw England on the hunt again. Their line out brought down well saw them transition to phase play five metres out before Scotland secured the ball on the ground and pushed the invading English back with a penalty. Scotland, with some fresh legs brought were quickly awarded another penalty and they marched England back to the halfway line for a line out.

With 25 minutes to play England really started to put the pressure on, the quick ball was unrelenting and they were only halted 5 metres out of scoring another as they lost possession due to their own mistake. Scotland were happy to see the pressure relief but still h ad to defend England in their half. Another England penalty however quickly saw Scotland having a line out on England's 22 mark.

A line-out maul was accompanied by cries of ‘heave’ from the stands as Scotland looked to close the gap once again. England won the ball on the ground and put themselves right back in Scotland's 22 for a line-out. England looked to extend their lead with 15 minutes to go. Their line-out was successful and prop Sonny Tonga’uiha barreled over. A brief TMO review after the score saw Scotland 19, Fin Ronnie off his feet in the ruck and received a booking as a result. The try did not stand as there was an England knock on just seconds after the Scot's infringement.

A held up try attempt was followed by a couple of penalties and play seemed like it was going to remain within Scotland’s 22 forever, until a scrum penalty from England saw Scotland seeing the outside of their 22 for the first time in ten minutes. England crossed the line-out and Scotland were awarded a penalty advantage which got them within Englands' half with ten minutes to play.

A high ball from Scotland was retrieved by England fullback Pater, who quickly passed the ball to replacement Will Knight who ran from his own half to score in Scotland's corner, extending England's lead to nearly double Scotland's points with just over five minutes left to play.

The end of the second half encapsulated the half, with Scotland attempting to get out of their 22, penalties from both sides, and England able to keep the pressure on a scoreless Scotland. Full Time 17-33.