Under20s produce best performance so far, but fall just short Published on Saturday 25 February 2012 04:42 Scotland produced their best performance thus far in the Six Nations under-20 championship but in the end they could not match the forward power of France nor the visitors confidence on the ball. Given the comparative youth of this current Scotland side and rich resources that France can draw on at this age level, the Scots can feel proud of their display in the Borders. Ultimately, strength in the scrum proved a major advantage for France but the Scots forwards deserve huge credit for sticking to their task. Behind the scrum, Harry Leonard, with three clean line breaks, was in eye-catching form, Finn Russell impressed at inside centre with his distribution and both scrum halves, Matt Torrance and his replacement Murray McConnell earned plaudits. Scotland were put on the defensive from the whistle but trenchant tackling, including a try-saver from prop Alex Allan, kept France at bay. But after 15 minutes scrum-half, Tom Ecochard brought first point for France with a penalty kick. The visitors appeared to have stretched their lead when flanker Julien Kazubek burst from a ruck before crashing over but the referee ruled that ball had been held up. From the ensuing scrum France worked a sequence of close-range moves that ended with No 8 Karl Chateau touching down for an unconverted try. Scotland replied positive with a backline attack that gave winger Michael Crawley a tilt at the line. The French defence, however, were there in numbers to deny a score, but a minute later a penalty by Harry Leonard brought some reward. A thumping penalty kick from the ten-metre line by Leonard then narrowed the French lead to just two points. The fightback was only temporary, as France launched an attack from powerful scrummaging before moving the ball wide for centre Danty to crash over, Ecochard adding the conversion. From the restart, France handled skilfully allowing Fuster to glide through midfield before the inside support of winger Darly Domvo provided the finish, Ecochard converting for a 22-6 lead. The Scots threw everything into attack and were rewarded when Leonard cracked the French defence before supplying the scoring pass to lock Adam Sinclair, Leonard's conversion leaving Scotland trailing 22-13 at the break. A powerful start to the second half by France brought a try off a scrum by Alban Placines but despite losing Sinclair to the sin-bin, the Scots gained field position for Leonard to kick his third goal. Incredibly, 14-man Scotland produced another score, ignited by a searing break by Leonard that ended with Sam Hidalgo-Clyne diving over in the corner. Scotland seemed to have been given a break when Mitch Eadie intercepted with an open field in front of him only to be ruled offside, Ecochard exacting the penalty points with a successful kick to give a 30-21 victory.