Shadow Scots hold on to reach final

Scotland A 27Argentina XV 24

SCOTLAND A held off a determined Argentina XV to win their second Barclays Churchill Cup match 27-24 in Kingston, Ontaria last night and top Pool A.

Andrew Turnbull got the Scots on their way with a 16th minute try and that was added to ten minutes later with a touch down from man of the match Rob Dewey. Argentina got on the board after a Garryowen inside the Scottish 22 led to Lucas Berrera Oro barging over to make it 12-5 at the break.

Scotland appeared safe thanks to tries from Jim Thompson and Colin Gregor, along with a Gordon Ross penalty in the 74th minute to make it 27-17. But Argentina hit back with tries from Gonzalo Comacho and Juan Pablo Lagarrique then Mauor Comuzzi scored a fine try at the death – to pull his side within three at the final whistle.

Unbeaten Scotland, who beat Canada last week, will now play either England or Ireland A on finals day in Chicago next weekend.

Scotland A: Jones; Turnbull, Dewey, MacRae, Thompson; Blair, Laidlaw; Kalman, Thomson, Young, Pringle, Turner, Newlands, MacDonald, Swindall. Subs: Dey for MacRae (77), Ross for Blair (41), Gregor for Laidlaw (41), McGee for Kalman (41), Kelly for Thomson (60), Eddie for Pringle (46), Dunbar for Turner (50).