Scotland staged a dramatic comeback to take their first win of their Under-20s Six Nations campaign, as they beat Italy 30-29 in Reggio Emilia.
Italy looked well in control for most of the contest, as they kept the Scots at bay in front of their home support.
And despite trailing by 11 points with less than 15 minutes remaining, late scores from Robbie McCallum and Connor Boyle turned the tide.
It was the visitors who struck first 10 minutes in, thanks to a fine score.
After patient build-up play, the men wearing blue edged themselves to within striking distance, before Cameron Henderson popped the ball inside to Kyle McGhie to cross.
Six minutes later the hosts hit back, drawing the Scottish defence in with a series of pick-and-go moves and then striking wide as Manfredi Albanese darted to the line and Manuel Zuliani added the finishing touches, Paolo Gabrisi converting.
Straight from the kick-off, Scotland immediately found themselves deep behind enemy lines once again, as they weathered brutal Italian defence but for Rufus McLean to dive over in the corner when the visitors sent it wide.
FULL-TIME | It’s a win!
A dramatic end to the U20 Six Nations fixture in Mirabello as Scotland beat Italy by a single point in a 59-point thriller! [29-30] #ITAvSCO #AsOne
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 21, 2020
Not to be deterred, the azzurrini countered, in what was quickly becoming a slug-fest – but it was to be a moment of magic that handed them the advantage once more.
The ball worked down the line, Federico Mori was the last man before touch, and he turned on the gas to accelerate beyond flailing Scottish tacklers to hand the hosts the initiative at the break.
Captain Gabrisi stretched that lead to five points from the tee early in the second 40, before Chamberlain responded in kind.
Again Gabrisi’s boot proved valuable for Italy, as his grubber in behind was latched on to by Jacopo Trulla, who juggled and then swan-dived underneath the posts.
Chamberlain slotted another penalty to keep Scotland in touch, but Italy remained the side in the ascendancy, a solid line-out drive paving the way for Michael Mba to cross in the corner.
But Scotland would not lie down, once again carving a foothold in the game when McCallum reacted first to latch onto Chamberlain’s deflected dink over the top, and dot down.
And the visitors got the lead back for the first time since the first half, as Boyle bundled over underneath a pile of bodies, with substitute Harry Paterson slotting the extras to give them a one-point advantage, as they kept Italy at bay to cue the celebrations.
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Source: 6 Nations