The Albany Gazette - Scotland survive stirring Maori All Blacks comeback for 29-26 win

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.

The Maori All Blacks caught Scotland off guard with a try inside 40 seconds.

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.

Scotland awoke and struck back 10 minutes later, Harry Paterson dotting down just before the dead ball line after chasing down a grubber kick.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Maori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund scored from a rolling maul with just over 20 minutes remaining to give his side hope.

Gideon Wrampling rampaged over a tired, ramshackle Scottish defence with 14 minutes remaining, making it a three-point game

But Scotland held firm, pipes blaring from the banks of the ground, for a victorious start to their tour.

(K.Lee--TAG)