Harkness keeps Scots on course for final
Published 21 Mar 2012 09:30
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SCOTLAND 7s players Rory Hughes (Glasgow Hawks), Fraser Harkness (Selkirk), Russell Weir (Loughborough Students) and Greig Ryan (Aberdeen Grammar) have today helped the Hills and Associates Scottish Barbarians secure a place in the Cup quarter-finals in the GFI Hong Kong tens.
The team will play the HSBC Penguins, who reached last year's Cup semi-final, tomorrow after beating the Irish Vikings (24-0) and Playmore's Shanghai Devils (45-0) and just missing out to Tana Umaga's star studded BGC Asia Pacific Barbarians (0-7).
Rory Hughes said: "It's been a great day; all the boys have come together and performed well.
"I feel really privileged to have played against the likes of Justin Marshall and Mils Muliaina; it has been a really great experience for me."
Hughes and Harkness scored the first two tries in the team's opening two matches with Weir adding a third try in the first match against the Irish Vikings. Dave Whitford of Hong Kong Scottish also crossed the line against the Vikings, with James Murray (also Hong Kong Scottish) adding two conversions out of four.
Next up the Barbarians took on Playmore's Shanghai Devils and ran in sevens tries to win the game 45-0. Hughes and Harkness added the first points to the board with Hughes showing blinding pace on the wing and Harkness's, accuracy with the boot.
Harkness then touched down himself before Tom Garland scored a brace of tries prior to the break. Murray converted one from two.
In the second half Jeremy Burton (Hong Kong Scottish), Alex Baddeley (Valley) and Murray all touched down, with Murray adding the extras on all occasions.
In the final game, despite a courageous effort and having the majority of the possession the Scots were unable to defend Asia Pacific's last minute counter-attack which saw them score the sole try of the match.
After the rugby formalities of the day were over the full Scotland 7s team attended a drinks reception hosted by the Hong Kong St Andrews Society along with Scottish Rugby's President Ian McLauchlan, internationalist Graeme Morrison and Scottish Government Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison.
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