Tonga tumble again
Scotland A scored five tries to one in beating Tonga 38-7 at Netherdale in Galashiels on Friday night.
The week before Ireland A had beaten Tonga 48-19 in Belfast.
Fullback Jim Thompson contributed 14 points (try, penalty and three conversions) before he was replaced while man-of-the-match Greig Laidlaw, Ben Cairns, Hugo Southwell and replacement Mark Robertson also crossed the whitewash in Galashiels.
Laidlaw scored the first try when Thompson came into the line to send him over. Thompson converted. 7-0.
Thompson had made the first try and then he scored the second when Cairns broke and sent him over. 14-0 after 22 minutes.
As Cairns had made the first try, so it was with the second as he sent replacement Robertson over. (Robertson was on for Nikki Walker who had a caulked leg.) 21-0.
Just after half-time Thompson kicked a penalty goal and was then replaced by Colin Gregor who went to flyhalf with =Southwell going back to his accustomed position of fullback.
As Thompson had scored a try from fullback, so did Southwell. Gregor converted and the Scots led 31-0 with just nine minutes left, time enough for Robertson to score Scotland A’s last try with two minutes left. Then Tonga got their consolation try in the last move of the match. Alipate Fatafehi broke out to score the try which Kurt Morath converted.
Afterwards coach Sean Lineen said: “What a fantastic game of rugby played in front of a great crowd [just under four thousand] – it was a really productive night.
“It was our aim to show how many of these guys are pushing for selection in the Scotland side and in that respect it was a great success.
“I thought Ben Cairns was outstanding at 13, but it was a great team effort. Jim Thompson showed some nice touches at 15, Greig Laidlaw had a really good game and Hugo Southwell played well; both at 10 and later at 15.
“I can’t complain with the 38-7 scoreline.”
Scorers:
For Scotland:
Tries: Laidlaw, Thompson, Cairns, Southwell, Robertson
Pen: Thompson
Cons: Thompson (3), Gregor (2
For Tonga:
Try: Fatafehi
Con: Morath
Teams:
Scotland A: 15 Jim Thompson, 14 Thom Evans, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 John Houston, 11 Nikki Walker, 10 Hugo Southwell, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Allister Hogg (captain), 7 Alan MacDonald, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Scott MacLeod, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Jon Welsh
Replacements: 16 Andrew Kelly, 17 Ed Kalman, 18 Craig Hamilton, 19 Roddy Grant, 20 Mark McMillan, 21 Colin Gregor, 22 Mark Robertson.
Coach: Sean Lineen
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Pierre Hola, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Sefa Vaka, 11 Manu Ahota’e’iloa, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Kilifi Fangupo, 8 Samiu Vahafolau, 7 Uelenitoni Fono, 6 Seti Filo, 5 Emosi Kauhenga, 4 Paino Hehea (captain), 3 Mosese Moala, 2 Willam Hafu, 1 Po’alo’i Taula
Replacements: 16 Sione Vaiomounga, 17 Penisimani Fakalelu, 18 Lisiate Faaoso, 19 Opeti Fonua, 20 Mahe Fangupo, 21 Alipate Fatafehi, 22 Samiuela Satui
Coach: Isitolo Maka
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Iain Heard (Scotland), Ronnie Dumma (Scotland)
Assessor: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
