Rugby: Scotland Club XV 57 English Counties 27

The Scots were superior in just about every aspect of play, but above it was their sheer pace and skilful handling that produced and exhilarating show and a tally of nine tries in a memorable display of complete Scottish domination against English opposition.

“The club game is in good health so people should come and watch it” suggested the Scotland head coach, Phil Smith, “It was great to play in such good conditions at Netherdale.”

Scotland set the tone of the game in the second minute of play when the Ayr number 8 broke from a scrum to race over for the opening try. Counties, however, replied with a try by their number 8 Chris Davies converted by stand-off Chris Johnson but that was to the last time they held the lead.

Before the interval Scotland’s high tempo game produced tries for Hawks scrum half Paddy Boyer, who subsequently suffered a game ending injury and man-of-the-match and full back Fraser Thomson (Melrose) from a Ross Curle Break with Lee Armstrong (Hawick) adding one conversion.

English Counties who had kicked a first half penalty goal by Johnson then conceded a six tries before replying, a brace by the Boroughmuir wing Jordan Edmonds and one each from Ayr centre Curle, the Heriot’s second row Jack Turley, replacement Cammy Ferguson (Heriot’s) and his clubmate and fellow sub Mike Liness and five conversions from Armstrong.

England staged something of revival in the final five minutes taking advantage of a yellow card shown for Thomson to score a penalty try and touchdown from replacement wing Spencer Sutherland both converted by Chris May.