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Jackson keeps Scotland on cloud nine

RuaridhJacksonSB
A last-gasp penalty kick from Ruaridh Jackson helped Scotland edge past Samoa in a pulsating 19-16 encounter at the Pittodrie Stadium.

A last-gasp penalty kick from Ruaridh Jackson helped Scotland edge past Samoa in a pulsating 19-16 encounter at the Pittodrie Stadium.

Jackson, who had come on as a replacement for Max Evans, sealed the match to extend their unbeaten record against the Samoans.

Scotland had gone into the game with confidence sky-high after claiming the scalp of South Africa the previous weekend.

The home side were ahead after four minutes. After forcing Samoa into the corner, Scotland won a couple of penalties in quick succession, and Dan Parks picked up nailing the penalty.

However, Samoa responded in the 12th minute with a well-worked try. A deft kick by George Pisi was pounced on by Seilala Mapusua who fed Kahn Fotuali’i who charged over the line. Paul Williams made no mistake with the conversion.

Yet the game swung back in Scotland’s favour in the 18th minute, when the influential Parks played in Nikki Walker who eased over the line after profiting from a dummy run by Graeme Morrison. Parks duly converted to put the hosts 10-7 up.

A kicking contest between Parks and Williams then ensued. Parks found his range with a tricky penalty in the 35th minute before Williams narrowed the deficit to three again four minutes later.

And Williams levelled the match at 13-13 with a penalty just after the break.

Parks then produced a moment of magic with a drop goal from close range in the 53nd minute before Williams again drew the visitors level once again.

Although Parks was brought off in the 58th minute, the Scottish back line held firm despite some strong attacks by the visitors.

In the end Jackson provided the final twist of the game, when he coolly despatched a penalty inside the 22 after Iosefa Tekori was penalised.