Scotland edged the Maori All Blacks 29-26 in Whangarei on Saturday, holding off a spirited fightback from the hosts to start their Pacific tour with a win.<\/p>\n
In front of a sellout crowd at Semenoff Stadium, Scotland overcame a sluggish start and a tired finish, riding the sound of bagpipes in the final stages for a tense victory.<\/p>\n
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The Maori All Blacks caught Scotland off guard with a try inside 40 seconds.<\/p>\n
At the first opportunity they spread the ball wide to the left, then a cute chip, chase and offload from Bailyn Sullivan put scrum half Sam Nock over.<\/p>\n
Scotland awoke and struck back 10 minutes later, Harry Paterson dotting down just before the dead ball line after chasing down a grubber kick.<\/p>\n
Sloppy play by the hosts allowed Scotland to extend their advantage, fumbling a high bomb before watching the scramble for the ball roll 50 metres into their own territory with scrum-half George Horne eventually scoring his first of the afternoon.<\/p>\n
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Isaia Walker-Leawere found a response in the 32nd minute after sustained pressure on the Scotland line, which also saw Alexander Masibaka yellow carded minutes into his debut off the bench.<\/p>\n
Despite being a man down, Scotland struck once more on the stroke of half-time, Arron Reed collecting another grubber kick to score with no defender in sight.<\/p>\n
Horne scored his second in the 53rd minute, Scotland using added space created by two Maori All Blacks being sent to the bin, stretching the field and breaking for a stunning team try.<\/p>\n
Maori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund scored from a rolling maul with just over 20 minutes remaining to give his side hope.<\/p>\n
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Gideon Wrampling rampaged over a tired, ramshackle Scottish defence with 14 minutes remaining, making it a three-point game<\/p>\n
But Scotland held firm, pipes blaring from the banks of the ground, for a victorious start to their tour.<\/p>\n
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