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Peter Kay calls it “fine rain”. North of the border, it’s known as a “Scotch Mist” while the locals in Brisbane just call it “flaming’ cold”. Whatever the expression, it was a dismal night weather wise but Pacific Islands and Scotland entertained on the rugby field with the Islanders battling to a 30-16 win.
The Pacific Islands went into a 16-0 lead after only ten minutes as Scotland’s indiscipline cost them dearly.
Josh Stowers was first over the line after only three minutes and Junior Alesana followed that up by crossing just four minutes later. Man-of-the-match Sione Fukofuka converted both.
Luke Srana, who had set up Alesana’s try, started a move that led to a Liu Faamate score just minutes later to make it 16-0. Fukofuka was also involved in the assist.
Scotland finally got on the board in the 24th minute after a 20-metre run from Andy Grey. Dougie Thompson pounced on a grubber kick to score just three minutes later to give Scotland hope at 16-12 but Fukofuka slid in for a try that looked suspiciously offside just five minutes before half time to enable the Islanders to go into half-time with an eight-point lead.
Full-back Wil Wishere extended their lead to 12 with a try just a minute after the break but Scotland got one back in the 49th minute after a period of immense Scottish pressure as Chris Fletcher set up Calum Morrison in the corner.
The increasing rain was causing handling errors by both sides and it was 25 minutes before another try was registered.
Both sides had their chances though. Ramon Filipine was short of the line twice, stopped by Dougie Thompson on the second occasion following a 70-metre run by the second-row forward. Scotland’s
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Barry Earl was also stopped metres short of the line following his 50-metre run while Luke Srama knocked on when grounding in the 73rd minute.
However, just a minute later, Srama made up for his error by running over the line to clinch the game.
PACIFIC ISLANDS: Wil Wishere, Bruno Schwartz, John Rece, Sam Valaau, Phillip Breslin, Sione Fukofuka, Josh Stowers, David Trone, Luke Srama, Peter Pilou, Junior Alesano, Liu Faamate, Keli Fukofuka. Subs (all used): Helmy Souvannvone, Eddie Aila, Reggie Peranara, Ramon Filipine, Bobby Makau, Nic Williams.
Tries: Stowers (3), Alesana (7), Famaate (10), S.Fukofuka (35), Wishere (41), Srama (74)
Goals: S.Fukofuka 2/5, Stowers 1/1
SCOTLAND: Dave Ford, Dougie Thompson, Calum Morrison, Dougie Flockhart, Alistair Leighton-Scotts, Mike Murphy, Bobby Bahadori, Tony Williams, Chris Fletcher, Dave Simm, Ross Marshall, Stuart Dunbar, Barry Earl. Subs: Andy Grey, Chris Chamberlain, Lee Spence, Ryan Black, Dave Birchall, Dave Jones.
Tries: Grey (24), Thompson (27), Morrison (49)
Goals: Ford 2/3
Gamestar: Sione Fukofuka who had a hand in virtually every Pacific Islands try, scoring one himself.
Gamebreaker: Luke Srama’s 74th minute try gave the Pacific Islanders the gap they needed following strong pressure from Scotland.
Men of the match:
Pacific Islands - Sione Fukofuka.
Scotland - Chris Fletcher.
Referee: Ian McGregor (Scotland).
Half-time 20-12.
Article by Ian Golden
12 Jul 2005
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