The second match of the Four Nations Tournament held at Grangemouth Rugby Club saw the Scotland’s U18s face off against Wales U18s under a brilliant, albeit intensely hot, Scottish sun. The atmosphere was charged with national pride as both teams proudly sang their anthems, escorted onto the field by the stirring skirl of local piper Fraser Neilson. Scotland, seeking to rebound from a valiant defeat to England, and Wales, and aiming to build on their hard-fought opening victory against Ireland, were ready to battle.

Wales made a blistering start, capitalising on early defensive lapses from Scotland. Their early pressure paid dividends with a try in the corner from Alex Richardson, expertly converted by Kyson Rees. However, Scotland, undeterred, responded with a display of slick handling along the left edge. Harrison Goldthorpe showcased his speed, evading defenders for a 40-meter dash to score the Bravehearts’ first try, which was subsequently converted by Shaun Callan, levelling the scores.

The game settled into a fierce arm wrestle, with both sides demonstrating significant grit. Wales managed to regain the lead through Evan Rowlands, though the conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Almost immediately, Scotland demonstrated their resilience once more. Through a period of skilful ball movement, Harry Woodard found himself over the whitewash for Scotland’s second try, bringing the scoreline to a tense 10-10.

Scotland’s defensive intensity then noticeably increased. Vice-captain Cuillin Stoddart Shannely and Jack Lister led from the front with thunderous tackles, consistently testing the Welsh resolve and forcing crucial errors. This sustained defensive pressure ultimately created an opportunity for Scotland to nudge ahead. A well-executed play involving half-back Oscar Ellicott McCulloch and hooker Isaac Maclean saw them expertly pin Wales deep within their own territory. The resulting pressure allowed hardworking back-rower Max Erasmus to pounce and score, giving Scotland a slender 14-10 lead as the teams headed into the halftime interval. The opening forty minutes had promised a thrilling second half, with both teams displaying commendable effort in challenging conditions.

The second half commenced mirroring the intensity with which the first concluded, with Scotland asserting a dominant presence on the field. The Welsh attack, already under considerable pressure, found itself further stifled by a series of formidable tackles from Scotland’s Charlie Jackson, Arran Jamieson, and Lucas Anderson Moore. These impactful defensive plays consistently disrupted Wales’ momentum, preventing them from establishing any meaningful foothold in Scottish territory.

In response, the commendable defensive efforts of Callum Duncan and Lewis Wright were instrumental in repelling Welsh incursions. Their tireless work at the back not only thwarted opposition advances but also laid the crucial foundation for Scotland’s next scoring opportunity. Hooking sensation Isaac Maclean capitalised on this platform, breaching the Welsh defence to touch down for a well-deserved try, extending Scotland’s lead. The conversion by Shaun Callan proved successful, shifting the scoreboard to Scotland 20, Wales 10.

Scotland continued to press their advantage, exhibiting fluid handling and astute link-up play down the left flank. Shaun Callan’s vision once again found Harrison Goldthorpe, who appeared to be in for another score, only for the referee to disallow it for a forward pass. Further Scottish pressure saw the quick winger create another scoring chance, but the try was ultimately chalked off due to a knock-on during the act of scoring, a testament to the fine margins at play.

However, Wales, demonstrating remarkable resilience, managed to find an unexpected surge of energy. Around the hour mark, they rallied effectively, pushing Scotland back and capitalisng on a shift in momentum to score two quick, back-to-back tries through Dan Wells and Jack Wilcox. Josh Gabrielson’s successful conversions narrowed the gap, giving Wales a slender two-point lead with the score now reading Scotland 20, Wales 22.

Scotland responded with renewed determination, digging deep to maintain their defensive integrity. The crucial tackling in the heart of the Scottish defence, particularly from Captain Seth Clapham, was pivotal in holding the line and keeping Scotland within striking distance.

Yet, with only eight minutes remaining on the clock, Wales’ Ethan Williams crossed the whitewash, increasing their lead to 26-20. Although Gabrielson was unable to convert, the narrow margin meant Wales remained just one score ahead in the closing stages. The vociferous crowd urged both teams on, but it was Wales who ultimately sealed their victory. An excellent individual try from Oscar Jones, scored just three minutes from the final whistle, was swiftly followed by Richardson’s second of the match and Wales’ seventh, as the final whistle blew to bring an end to a hard-fought contest.

Despite the outcome, the less experienced Scottish side can take considerable pride from their performance. For the players making their Scotland debuts – Promise Nkabi, Douglas Ward, Alasdair Mckechnie, and Charlie Macdonald – this match undoubtedly provides valuable experience and a foundation of confidence to build upon for future encounters.

Final score: Scotland 20 – 34 Wales

Scot Trys: Harrison Goldthorpe, Harry Woodard, Max Erasmus, Issac Maclean            Scot Con: Shaun Callan x 2

Wales Trys: Alex Richardson x2, Evan Rowlands, Dan Wilds, Jack Wlcox, Oscar Jones               Wales Cons: Kylon Rees, Josh Gabrielson x 4