UNDER-20s rugby in Scotland hit a new low on Tuesday when their promotion-chasing side lost to Uruguay at the Junior World Trophy in Kenya.
The Scots had been relegated from the Junior World Championship following their 12th-place finish at the 2019 tournament in Argentina.
The surprise loss at Nyayo National Stadium means that Scotland, who finished the 2023 U20s Six Nations in fifth place ahead of Wales, will now contest third place at the Trophy against Samoa today, who were beaten 28-10 by Spain.
Uruguay and Spain clash in the final to decide who will secure promotion to next year's JWC in South Africa at the expense of Japan, who finished in 12th place following their loss to Italy.
POOL A: Scotland 26-37 Uruguay
Uruguay made the ideal start when Juan Carlos Canessa fed Pedro Brum for the opening try inside five minutes.
A Canessa penalty extended their lead but Scotland hit back as Eddie Erskine powered over from close range. But the second row was sent to the sin-bin shortly after, allowing Los Teritos to strike again.
From the subsequent lineout, Maximo Lamelas scored from a driving maul. And as the time on Erskine's sin-bin ticked down, Los Teritos fly-half Icaro Amarillo produced a booming drop-goal to give his side a 20-7 lead.
Corey Tait profiting from a lineout drive to score for Scotland and Uruguay lost hooker Lamelas to a yellow card. Despite starting the second half a player light, it was Los Teritos who struck next. Canessa fed winger Juan Gonzalez who scored in the corner.
Tait scored his second try but Canessa struck a long-range penalty to lead 30-19. Los Teritos lost replacement Francisco Garcia to a yellow card on the hour mark and a Erskine powered over.
Ben Afshar converted to close the gap to four but Los Teritos scored again while still playing with 14 as the impressive Guillermo Juan Storace scored to seal a famous victory.
Scotland coach Kenny Murray said: “Our game management was very poor. We didn't exit well enough, we didn't transfer pressure and win enough territory. And when we did get the ball in the right areas we couldn't keep hold of it.”
POOL B: Spain 28-10 Samoa
Samoa's Afa Moleli drilled a penalty from almost halfway to open the scoring but Spain hit back through Jacobo Ruiz Marcos' try and a penalty from Beau Finnian Peart.
No.8 Manex Ariceta Maestro scored from a driving lineout to make it 15-3. Spain then delivered the killer blow, breaking clear to send Daniel Cantanzaro Omati over.
A try from replacement Royce Billy Jr Umutaua reduced the deficit when Spain were down to 14, but two yellow cards to Samoa ended their hopes.
POOL A: USA 37-38 Zimbabwe
Shadreck Mandaza was the hero for Zimbabwe with his late try snatching victory. USA made a fast start with Hayden McKay and John Wilson scoring from lineouts. A superb try from Simbarashe Kanyangarara got Zimbabwe back in it and Benoni Nhekairo's conversion and four penalties had the Junior Sables ahead. But McKay went over for his second try and Oliver Cline kicked three penalties in five minutes.
Fixtures
Today
Final: Spain v Uruguay 2pm
3rd place: Scotland v Samoa 10am
5th place: Kenya v Zimbabwe 12pm
7th place: USA V HK China 8am
Mandaza's quick-tap penalty set up Brendan Marume for a try, which was cancelled out by Rand Santos' long-range effort, but Marume got his second and Mandaza sped in for the winner.
POOL B: Kenya 22-16 Hong Kong China
Two tries from tighthead Mike Oduor proved decisive as Kenya secured a first win in this year's tournament to set up a meeting with rivals Zimbabwe today. Jacktone Omondi got their third try with Eddy Wambugu and Faran Juma kicking the rest of their points. Tyler McNutt scored Hong Kong's only try with Dylan McCann kicking 11 points.
