Rugby Union: Stark's bright sparks

Scotland A. . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

SCOTLAND, seeking a warm-up match before the start of the Five Nations' Championship, were given a sharp reminder by Italy at Melrose yesterday just how far they have to go before facing Ireland at Murrayfield in four weeks' time.

The Scots, with the somewhat confusing A denomination, were fielding the nucleus of what they expect to be their international side. But against the Italians they were found wanting in the scrums and line-outs, and the forwards lacked mobility about the field.

Italy, having lost to Romania and a Welsh XV earlier this season, were not expected to challenge the Scots, but the power of their scrummaging and the precision of their tackling disrupted the home team.

Italy actually led at one point and inspirational back play was needed for the Scots to retake the lead and win the game.

Scotland still have two opportunities to assess the candidates for the national side - the A team to play Ireland on 28 December will be announced tomorrow along with the trial team for 2 January.

While several leading Scots disappointed yesterday there were encouraging signs of new vitality in the wing Derek Stark, who proved the value of a genuine sprinter. The repositioning of Scott Hastings at inside centre was another success, but Gary Armstrong's performance at scrum- half was the most heartening feature. Armstrong, who missed last season's Championship, ignited many of Scotland's moves and was also a pillar of strength in defence.

Stuart Reid at No 8 played well in the last quarter and there were also impressive displays from the tight-head prop Paul Burnell and the blind-side flanker Carl Hogg.

Another disappointment for Scotland, however, was the poor form of Craig Chalmers. The Melrose stand-off playing on his own club ground, missed six of his ten attempts at goal. Greater accuracy would have seen Scotland enjoying a less worrying second half.

The score was 9-9 at the end of the first half with three penalties apiece from Chalmers and Diego Dominguez, the former Argentine player. Dominguez put Italy ahead with a drop-goal two minutes into the second half and it looked for a while that Scotland might suffer an embarrassing defeat.

They avoided that, however, with some inspirational play from Stark, who, having been released by Gavin Hastings, kicked neatly ahead for Scott Hastings to touch down.

Stark was also involved in Scotland's second try by Gregor Townsend. A penalty by Chalmers put them into a winning position, but a late try by the Italian lock Carlo Checchinato gave the scoreline a juster look.

SCOTLAND A: G Hastings, (Watsonians, capt); D Stark (Boroughmuir), G Townsend (Gala), S Hastings (Watsonians), M Appleson (London Scottish); C Chalmers (Melrose), G Armstrong (Jed-Forest); P Jones (Gloucester), I Corcoran (Gala), P Burnell, D Cronin (both London Scottish), G Weir, C Hogg (both Melrose), S Reid (Boroughmuir), I Smith (Gloucester).

ITALY: L Troiani (L'Aquila); P Vaccari (Calvisano), S Barba (Milano), I Francescato (Treviso), Marcello Cuttitta; D Dominguez (both Milano), U Casellato (Treviso); Massimo Cuttitta (Milano), C Orlandi (Piacenza), G Grespan, C Checchinato, P Reale (all Rovigo), S Rigo (Treviso), J Gardner (Rovigo), M Giovanelli (Milano).

Referee: R McDowell (Ireland).

Scorers: Chalmers (pen, 5 min, 3-0); Chalmers (pen, 16 min, 6-0); Dominguez (pen, 18 min, 6-3); Chalmers (pen, 29 min, 9-3); Dominguez (pen, 37 min, 9-6); Dominguez (pen, 42 min, 9-9); Dominguez (drop-goal, 44 min, 9-12); S Hastings (try, 63 min, 14-12); Townsend (try, 72 min, 19- 12); Chalmers (pen, 80 min, 22-12); Checchinato (try, 83 min, 22-17).