REPORT: Scotland 14 Samoa 14

Scotland put in a fine performance to draw 14-14 with Samoa, but it was the latter who progressed to the quarter-finals due to better points difference.

Scotland opened the scoring through Lewis Tierney before Junior Paulo brought the game level. A penalty goal and try from Frankie Mariano saw the Bravehearts lead 14-6 at half-time.

Samoa scored two unanswered tries in the second half through Matthew Wright and Young Tonumaipea to snatch a point. And because Samoa had better points difference in Group B, they were the team to progress to the quarter-finals of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

TEAM NEWS

Steve McCormack made four changes to his Scotland outfit that lost to New Zealand last time out. Alex Walker, Danny Brough, Sam Brooks and Johnny Walker were replaced by Shane Toal, Callum Phillips, Frankie Mariano and Andrew Bentley.

Matt Parish made five changes to his side that fell short to Tonga last weekend. Matthew Wright, Joseph Paulo, Frank Winterstein, Pita Godinet and Sam Tagataese came in for Ken Maumalo, Ben Roberts, Frank Pritchard, Zane Musgrove and Sam Tagataese.

FIRST HALF

Scotland have undersold themselves in the tournament so far and are much better than what they have showed against Tonga and New Zealand.

And the Bravehearts started brilliantly, as Lewis Tierney scored for Scotland after he was the first to react to Samoa failing to deal with a kick. In the absence of Danny Brough, Danny Addy was on kicking duties and converted to put his side 6-0 up.

Samoa motored their way up the field though after three straight sets and the pressure eventually told as blockbusting forward Junior Paulo bulldozed over the line from close range. Matthew Wright added the conversion to tie the score at 6-6 after 11 minutes.

McCormack’s outfit were really causing problems for Toa in the first half. The Pacific Islanders coughed up a penalty and Scotland opted to take the two. Addy arrowed his penalty goal through the uprights from 40-metres out to edge Scotland into an 8-6 lead.

Frankie Mariano extended Scotland’s lead in the 27^th minute following a cheeky ball steal. Addy’s boot made the score 14-6 to the Bravehearts.

Scotland had a couple of chances to score late on but nothing came from them but they were 14-6 to the good at the interval.

HALF TIME: Scotland 14–6 Samoa.

SECOND HALF 

Scotland started the second half in good fashion but it was Samoa who scored the first try following the restart. Matthew Wright raced past Matty Russell down the wing to finish impressively in the corner. Wright failed to convert but they were just 14-10 behind.

The Bravehearts were doing well in the second half but Samoa were looking dangerous when on the attack. They drew level when they had numbers on the left-hand side and full-back Young Tonumaipea glided over. Wright dragged his conversion attempt wide and the game was tied at 14-14 after 65 minutes.

Scotland were awarded a penalty in the 73^rd minute and took the chance to take a penalty goal but Hull KR star Addy just pulled it wide of the mark.

McCormack’s men had two attempts at a drop-goal in the dying embers through Oscar Thomas and Addy but they were unsuccessful.

The game ended 14-all draw but it was Samoa who progressed through to the semi-finals due to better points difference in Group B.

FULL TIME: Scotland 14–14 Samoa.

MATCH DETAILS

Scotland – 14

Tries: Tierney, Mariano

Goals: Addy 3/4

Samoa – 14

Tries: Junior Paulo, Wright, Tonumaipea

Goals: Wright 1/3

HT: 14-6

Loverugbyleague.com MOM: Danny Addy (Scotland)

TEAMS

Scotland: 1. Lewis Tierney, 2. Shane Toal, 3. Ben Hellewell, 4. Lachlan Stein, 5. Matty Russell, 6. Danny Addy, 7. Oscar Thomas, 8. Luke Douglas (C), 9. Callum Phillips, 10. Ben Kavanagh, 11. Frankie Mariano, 12. Dale Ferguson, 13. James Bell.

Interchange: 14. Kane Bentley, 15. Brandan Wilkinson, 16. Andrew Bentley, 17. Jarred Anderson.

Samoa: 1. Young Tonumaipea, 2. Ricky Leutele, 3. Tim Lafai, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Matthew Wright, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Fa’amanu Brown, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Jazz Tevaga, 10. Herman Ese’ese, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Frank Winterstein, 13. Bunty Afoa.

Interchange: 14. Pita Godinet, 15. Joseph Paulo, 16. Leeson Ah Mau, 17. Sam Tagataese (C).

Referee – Ashley Klein