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Aussie fans’ delight at the death as Scots sunk in World Cup

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Australia fans had the last laugh as they silenced the Scottish majority inside Twickenham on Sunday with a controversial last-gasp penalty to book their place in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

Scotland fans were bouncing around in delirium with seconds to go as their team seemed set to pull off a shock quarter-final victory.

But Bernard Foley’s kick at the death meant the Aussie minority got the upper hand, despite the boos ringing round the stadium, and a 35-34 win.

Kate Barker, from Sydney, wearing a Wallabies jersey, said the dramatic finish was “amazing” and almost admitted it had brought her to tears.

“It was like someone holding your heart in their hands and then at the last minute you don’t know whether they’re going to rip it out or leave it there. And then at the end of it all you can finally breathe, and maybe cry a little bit.

“OK, I might have cried, there might have been tears — but it was raining.”

Kilt-wearing Robin Jamieson, a doctor from Troon on the Scottish coast, missed out on a return of £1,500, having laid a £200 bet on Scotland winning at odds of 13/2.

“Scotland were absolutely fantastic and took them all the way,” he said.

“It was never a penalty. Scotland were robbed again, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. I’m absolutely gutted, from a financial and cultural point of view.”

Gregor Smith, from nearby Kilmarnock, added: “It was a dubious penalty. As a Scot, we lose gracefully. But that was the best game of the World Cup so far. We fought like lions, but it wasn’t quite good enough.”

– Scottish roar –

The teams walked onto the pitch greeted by fireworks and the white noise of the pumping Twickenham sound system. Man of the match Matt Giteau, winning his 100th cap for Australia, dashed out a little too close to the jets of flame and quickly changed direction.

Scotland supporters were the dominant force among the 77,110 at the home of English rugby.

They were joined by Queen Elizabeth II’s daughter Princess Anne, patron of the Scottish Rugby Union, who was wearing a tartan scarf.

Despite Australia scoring a try and dominating the opening 10 minutes, it was the Scots making all the noise, with chants of “Scotland! Scotland! Scotland!” rolling round Twickenham.

Foley missed a third conversion attempt just before the break, giving Scots a 16-15 lead to contemplate at half-time.

Malcolm Thomson, from Edinburgh, predicted Scotland would probably lose, despite the scoreline.

“They’ve far exceeded expectations. But the Aussies look like real class. I don’t even want to dream about victory,” he said.

Meanwhile Stephen Gosling, from Brisbane, said: “I hope for the second half we can go back to playing the Australian game.”

Scots fans were bouncing around with delight and broke out the bagpipes — which had been smuggled in as they had been banned from the grounds — when Finn Russell’s charge-down led to Tommy Seymour crossing the line, keeping Scotland within touching distance.

The heavens opened with 10 minutes to go, which seemed to fire up Scotland fans even more.

And there was delirium in the 74th minute when Mark Bennett intercepted a loose pass and charged in, a try converted to give Scotland a 34-32 lead.

But when Foley kicked his winning penalty — despite deafening boos — the Aussies had the final word.

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