/ 4 July 1999

Scotland come so close

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Saturday 6.45pm.

SCOTLAND, in deep trouble at half time against Gauteng’s Lions on Saturday, staged a courageous fightback in the second half — getting within metres of a winning try in the dying seconds of the game.

But in the end, it was the Lions who won 33-31, after frittering away a whopping 30-11 half-time lead.

theScots began strongly with a 12th minute try to go 8.-7 ahead. But the Lions back were in running mood, and the forwards played with power, scrumming well and securing the lineouts.

Only after the break did the Scots begin to impress with their pace and handling skills. Just before the end, fullback Glenn Metcalfe headed close to the line and looked set to score a winning try before being pulled down