Scotland holds on to beat the New Zealand Maori 29-26 in a thrilling start to its Pacific tour

WHANGAREI New Zealand AP Scotland conceded a try after only seconds but rallied to result four tries including a double to scrumhalf George Horne to hold out the New Zealand Maori - Saturday in the opening match of its South Pacific tour The tourists led - early in the second half but gave up two tries and had to survive phases of attack two penalties and a yellow card before sealing their win in the th minute It was Scotland s first win over the New Zealand Maori in their first match in New Zealand in years The Maori had Scotland on the back foot when they scored off their first possession which came from a poor Scotland clearance Flyhalf Rivez Reihana moved the ball expeditiously wide center Bailyn Sullivan recovered his own kick and passed infield to scrumhalf Sam Nock who scored before the first minute of the match had elapsed Scotland recovered well and controlled possession through greater part of the next minutes scoring tries through winger Harry Patterson and Horne both from kicks which turned the Maori defense Scotland looked dangerous both from phase play and counterattack and kicked well to pressure the New Zealand Maori in the backfield The Maori had only fragments of possession through the middle of the first half and struggled to produce a coherent attack until the nd minute when Scotland conceded a series of penalties close to their own goalline With the touring squad under a general warning replacement Alex Masibaka ascertained himself heading to the sin-bin only moments after taking the field The Maori took advantage and Nock moved the ball wide to backrower Te Kamaka Howden who dropped a pass into the hands of lock Isaia Walker-Leawere who scored Scotland responded superbly to total just before halftime and while still one man down through winger Arron Reed The tourists continued to find space behind the defense and wide out for kicks On this occasion center Rory Hutchinson kicked to Reed s wing The Maori were reduced to men with two yellow cards in the opening minutes of the second half Scotland took advantage and Horne scored the best try of the match combining on the left flank with Hutchinson and Reed Restored to men the Maori struck back through hooker Kurt Eklund from a lineout drive then scored again through Gideon Wrampling to reduce Scotland s lead to three points a - Scotland next plays Fiji in Suva next Saturday and then Samoa AP rugby https apnews com hub rugby Source