Scotland came from behind to record an impressive victory over Ireland in round 2 of the Student Four Nations.
Things looked ominous for Scotland when they left an early kick to bounce and Ellis Keppel cleaned up superbly, snatching the ball from his opposition number's grasp and skipping through unopposed under the posts, giving Oliver Whitford an easy conversion.
Scotland hit back as Owen Palmer popped up on Stephen Webber's quick pass, but he couldnt equalise with his conversion attempt which went wide of the posts.
Ireland stretched their lead as Luke Fisher burrowed his way through, ground the ball superbly on the line, though Whitford failed to find his mark with the kick.
And it was Ireland again just before the 30 minute mark, with Will Walker powering away to further improve the lead, with Whitford adding a further goal to his tally.
Scotland rallied and Guy Chalstrey pounced on a loose ball, finding his way under the sticks and giving Oli Redding and easy shot on goal, shortly before Conor Terril grounded to the right of the sticks as he made a half break, but Chalstrey could not level the scores as the conversion went wide and Scotland trailed by two points at the break.
Scotland came out for the second half with all guns blazing as Hayden Cumming put them ahead in the opening set, although Palmer couldnt convert but at the second time of asking Palmer did keep the ball on the island for an impressive winger's try, this time Ben Heave converting from the edge.
George Kinnard dropped onto a fumbled catch just before the hour mark to keep Scotland progressing, although Heave was unsuccessful with the kick and he missed the following attempt too after Dom Aston had barged his way through from a penalty.
Chalstrey burrowed through again, with Heave on targer, but the final word went to Byron Cqrolan who managed to escape Scotland's clutches as he broke free for a consolation try before the final whistle, with Whitford adding the extras to bring further respectability to the score.
Scotland
Hayden Cumming, Owen Palmer, Jacob Holt, Stephen Webber, Mackenzie Cumming, Frazer Murray, Oli Redding, Connor Terrill, Guy Chalstrey, Alex Woodhall, Dom Aston, George Kinnard, George Murray
Interchanges: Ben Heave, Oli Inch, Scott Shaw, Calum Caven. 18th – James Tufnell
Tries: Owen Palmer (11, 48), Guy Chalstrey (30, 73), Connor Terril (34), Hayden Cumming (41), George Kinnard (58), Dom Aston (64)
Goals: Owen Palmer 0/2, Oli Redding 1/1, Guy Chalstrey 0/1, Ben Heave 2/4
Ireland
Oliver Whitford, Henry Joliffe, Adrew Diamond, Jack Dempsey, Joe Boone, Ellis Keppel, Conor Colman, Caleb Oven, Will Walker, Euan Haynes, Byron Cqrolan, Patrick Walsh, Luke Fisher.
Interchange: Matteo Tafi.
Tries: Ellis Keppel (7), Luke Fisher (14), Will Walker (27), Byron Cqrolan (79)
Goals: Oliver Whitford 3/4