Scotland set the tone for next week's match in Rome with victory over Italy yesterday to maintain their unbeaten run this season. The Scots, however, had to work hard against a strong Italian side that tested them in the scrums and in midfield. "This was a step-up in physicality, but we coped well, particularly in the scrums," said Grant McKelvey, the Scotland coach, whose side face Wales at Ebbw Vale next Sunday.
Scotland struck after eight minutes with a try by Bradford GS lock, Callum Connor, taking stand-off Ross Aitken's pass for the score. Aitken kicked the conversion goal and then added the extra points to the Scots' second try by replacement centre Michael Tait.
In the second half Italy stepped up their effort and were rewarded with a try by replacement back row Filippo Ferrarini. Scotland tried to force a second-half score but were handicapped by the loss of Michael Fedo after the busy flanker was sin-binned.
Scotland. Tries Connor, Tait Cons Aitken (2)
Italy. Try F Ferrarini
Scotland T Brown (Edinburgh Academy); R Drummond (Bell-Baxter HS), S Hughes (Merchiston), A Dunbar (Annan), J Harris (Merchiston); R Aitken (Bell-Baxter HS), R Weir (Merchiston); L Pettie (Gala Wanderers), M Strachan (Fettes College), N Little (Hawick), C Connor (Bradford GS), R Harley (West of Scotland), S McInally (George Watson's College), M Fedo (Bell-Baxter HS), J Hill (Stirling County). Subs used M Tait (Kelso Quins), M Learmonth (Berwick), A Black (Prince Henry's School), A Fraser (York), G Gilchrist (Stirling County), S MacKenzie (Murrayfield Wanderers)
Italy T Benvenuti; A Zorzi, C Ricciardi, G Venditti, S Rodwell; A Benettin, A Chillon; I Corradi, A Manici, F Cazzola, P Stinchelli, S Scanferla, G Cicchnelli, L Santell. Subs used A Denti, N Corbaniese, F Ferrani, T Bergonzini, E Gan, M Mertali, R Trevisan
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