Magners League Official Website : Ref decision costs Scots

Simon Webster

Ref decision costs Scots

17 June 2006, 4:31 pm

By Chris Marais

Scotland put in a much improved performance on Saturday in the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth, but ultimately lost the match 29-15.

The team, stuffed full of players from the Celtic League competed with the Springboks in all phases of the game, rattling the home side, and a curious call from referee Tony Spreadbury ruled out a try for Chris Patterson that would really have asked questions of South Africa.

Spreadbury pulled play back after playing a long advantage, nearly a minutes worth, and South Africa went to to score.

South Africa went into an early 6-0 lead, but the touring side were able to play their way back into the match, with a try from the impressive Simon Webster.

Webster was a threat throughout the match, and latched onto a Gordon Ross grubber kick to touchdown in the 12th minute.

Ross was back in the spotlight midway through the half when he was guilty of illegally handling the ball on the ground.

Long-range specialist Jaco van der Westhuizen took over the boot duties - and thumped it over from 55 metres to open up a seven-point gap.

Scotland were then pinned back inside their own danger zone for a prolonged period until Ally Hogg relieved the tension with a speculative hack downfield.

There was high drama seconds before the break when Webster appeared to snatch another chip and chase try - but TV evidence showed he had marginally knocked on in the process.

Scotland carried on after the restart where they had left off by launching a sequence of promising raids.

But a combination of robust Springboks marking and a lack of penetration prevented them turning pressure into precious points. While Percy Montgomery was able to bang over six penalties.