Match Report: Scotland 59-21 Portugal - Scottish Rugby
The home team’s initial strong offensive play led to the first points of the match. After a line-out, Adam Hastings made a run but was halted just before the try line. Following a few attempts to drive the ball forward from close range, Will Hurd came out of the pile with his first try for Scotland, putting the score at 5-0 after just 4 minutes.
When Stafford McDowall was appointed captain earlier this week, it marked one of the most joyous moments of his rugby career. He added to the occasion by scoring a try after seizing the ball from a dropped Portuguese play near the halfway line, sprinting all the way to the try zone for his second score in dark blue. Hastings successfully kicked the conversion from right in front of the posts, making it 12-0 after 12 minutes.
The Portuguese defense attempted to break the line, while the Scottish offense seemed to be pressing too much in their effort to score a third try, resulting in a lull in the game. However, once Hastings kicked for touch and set up an attacking line-out, a score became unavoidable.
If it hadn't been for Portuguese second-row Duarte Torgal getting a yellow card just as the Scottish maul was about to score, Patrick Harrison would have definitely touched down. Instead, referee Takehito Namekawa decided enough was enough and awarded a penalty try, making the score 19-0 after 26 minutes.
Portugal attempted to get back in the game and gained a favorable position after a set piece near Scotland's 22-meter line. However, a straightforward obstruction penalty derailed their plans to score.
The audience at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, numbering around 61,000, was eager for some excitement from Darcy Graham, and he delivered after 34 minutes. Thanks to an impressive effort from George Horne, who skillfully kept the ball in play, Graham danced his way past a confused Portuguese defense to claim his 29th try for Scotland. He now shares this record with his teammate Duhan van der Merwe. Hastings successfully added the conversion for the third time, bringing the score to 26-0 with just 34 minutes gone.
Josh Bayliss joined in, as the number 8 player received a splendid pass from Rory Hutchinson and powered through to score in the right corner. Hastings added another conversion, bringing his total to 150 points for his national team [33-0, 37 minutes].
With time still on the clock, the Portuguese team executed a well-organized line-out maul, managing to score and get their first points on the board. Scrum-half Samuel Marques skillfully converted from a difficult angle, bringing an exciting first half to an end.
Halftime Score: Scotland 33, Portugal 7
Scotland entered the second half with the same determination they had shown in the first 40 minutes. Right away, George Horne nearly scored on his first home start after seizing a loose ball in the midfield.
Jamie Bhatti, during his 35th match for Scotland, powered through to score his first try on the international stage just a few moments later [38-7, 43 minutes in].
Portugal energized the audience when scrum-half Marques seized the opportunity to dart through for a try after a penalty awarded from an attacking scrum, and he successfully converted his own score, bringing the score to 38-14 with 54 minutes on the clock.
This sparked a surge of energy in Scotland as Arron Reed scored the team's seventh try, sprinting in from just beyond the Portuguese 22. Hastings then successfully converted the kick, bringing the score to 45-14 in the 59th minute.
Reed scored again shortly after when he maneuvered infield after receiving a pass from Matt Currie. Hastings successfully added the extra points from the conversion. The score stood at 52-14 with 62 minutes on the clock.
Soon after, Freddy Douglas made history by becoming Scotland's youngest male player in 61 years. The 19-year-old from Edinburgh Rugby took a deep breath as he stepped onto the international stage.
Portugal scored their third try thanks to winger Raffaele Storti, and Marques successfully converted it, maintaining his perfect record [52-21, 67 minutes].
Jamie Dobie displayed his usual talent with a shot from near the goal, which led to Tom Jordan successfully scoring and marking his first points for Scotland [59-21, 72 mins].
Final Score: Scotland 59, Portugal 21
Scotland's rugby team includes players from various clubs: Tom Jordan and Stafford McDowall (who is the captain) and Arron Reed from Glasgow Warriors; Darcy Graham from Edinburgh Rugby; Rory Hutchinson from Northampton Saints; Adam Hastings and George Horne, also from Glasgow Warriors; Jamie Bhatti from Glasgow Warriors; Patrick Harrison from Edinburgh Rugby; Will Hurd from Leicester Tigers; Alex Craig from Scarlets; Alex Samuel from Glasgow Warriors; and Luke Crosbie and Ben Muncaster from Edinburgh Rugby; along with Josh Bayliss from Bath Rugby.
Substitutions made during the match included Johnny Matthews coming on for Harrison in the 66th minute, Rory Sutherland replacing Bhatti in the 50th minute, and Elliot Millar-Mills from Northampton Saints stepping in for Hurd also in the 50th minute. Ewan Johnson from Oyannax took over for Craig in the 50th minute as well. Freddy Douglas from Edinburgh Rugby replaced Muncaster in the 66th minute, while Jamie Dobie of Glasgow Warriors came on for Horne in the 58th minute. Additionally, Matt Currie from Edinburgh Rugby substituted for Hutchinson in the 58th minute, and Kyle Rowe from Glasgow Warriors took Hastings' place in the 66th minute.
Portugal: Simão Bento, Raffaele Storti, José Lima, Tomás Appleton, and Lucas Martins; Domingos Cabral and Samuel Marques; David Costa, Luka Begic, Diogo Hasse Ferreira, José Madeira, Duarte Torgal, André Cunha, Nicolas Martins, and Frederico Couto.
Substitutes: Abel de Cunha, Pedro Vicente, António Prim, António Rebelo de Andrade, Vasco Baptista, António Campos, Hugo Aubry, and Manuel Cardoso Pinto.
Official: Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce and Anthony Woodthorpe (both from England)
TMO: Brian McNeice (Ireland)
FPRO: Mark Patton (Ireland)
Player of the Game: Tom Jordan (Scotland)
