Scotland 24-22 Italy
13 Apr 2022Scotland U18 finished their U18 Six Nations Women's Festival on a high after recording a narrow 24-22 win against Italy U18 at the DAM Health Stadium.
Scotland got off to a flying start as Sophie Langford intercepted an Italian pass within the first 20 seconds of the game before cruising over the line to score (5-0).
The hosts produced an impressive attacking display moments later, as some well-worked hands bought space for Hannah Walker to make a break, before she floated the ball to Sky Phimister who raced down the touchline to score, with Lucy MacRae adding the extras (12-0).
Phimister was back on the scoreboard on the 12th minute, after the winger collected a loose Italian pass before sprinting 60m down the pitch to score underneath the posts, with MacRae capping the score off with a successful conversion (19-0).
The Italians retaliated on the 20th minute, as hooker Silvia Fent powered her way through the defence before crashing on the line to score (19-5).
The visitors soon launched themselves back into action and were able to capitalise when Vittoria Zanette dotted down to narrow the gap on the scoreboard, with Alice Visman nudging over the conversion (19-12).
Italy continued to rally into the interval, as Zanette claimed her second try of the game shortly before the half-time whistle blew (19-17).
HALF-TIME: Scotland 19-17 Italy
The game ebbed and flowed for the next period with both sides struggling to break through the defences for the first 25 minutes of the second-half.
Italy were able to build a greater share of possession and were rewarded for their efforts on the 60th minute when Matilde Romersa squeezed her way over the line to put Italy in the lead for the first time in the match (19-22).
Scotland kept their composure and their resilience showed in the final moments of the game when they were able to put pressure on the Italians inside their 22. Scotland’s patience soon brought reward as a slick pass from Lucy MacRae sent Nicole Flynn into the corner to score, pulling Scotland back into the lead with moments to go (24-22).
The hosts defended well in the closing stages of the game to ensure that they recorded their first win in the U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival.
FULL-TIME: Scotland 24-22 Italy
Scotland U18: Lucy MacRae; Hannah Walker, Niamh Robertson-Jack, Sophie Langford, Sky Phimister; Ceitidh Ainsworth, Brogan Henderson; Poppy Fletcher, Karis Craig, Eilidh Fleming, Megan Hyland, Holland Bogan, Maia MacDonald, Alex Stewart, Kirsty Ritchie.
Replacements: Freya Gracie, Molly Poolman, Chloe Brown, Elsa Quigley, Molly Gray, Hannah Speer, Carla MacDonald, Sam Taganekurukuru, Nicole Flynn, Hannah Dunnett, Emma Campbell.
