No Dutch Courage Required In Scotland Women’S Thrilling Victory

Scotland Women clinically disposed of hosts Holland 26-0, in the FIRA-AER European Championships last night (Tuesday 20 May) to post their first win of the season. The Scots dominated the match from the outset, scoring in the opening minute through outside centre Lucy Millard, Louise Dalgliesh added the extras.Scotland Women clinically disposed of hosts Holland 26-0, in the FIRA-AER European Championships last night (Tuesday 20 May) to post their first win of the season. The Scots dominated the match from the outset, scoring in the opening minute through outside centre Lucy Millard, Louise Dalgliesh added the extras. In a devastating opening ten minutes, Millard touched down for her second score, Dalgliesh nudged the ball over in a carbon copy of the first score. Scotland looked the better side throughout the opening half but could not convert pressure into points. With the interval looming, Scotland stand-off Erin Kerr darted through the defence to score a crucial try and extend their lead, the conversion attempt went astray. HALF TIME 19-0 The second half was relatively uneventful compared to the proverbial fireworks of the opening period. The Scots’ defence was exemplary and they kept a strong foothold on the game. Without ever looking like they would lose the contest, they were able to make a number of changes; Ellen Beattie (prop), Alex Pratt (flanker) and Joan Hutchison (hooker) all made their first appearances of the tournament. In the final five minutes centre Suzi Newton extended the Scots try tally, capping off a solid performance with their fourth try, replacement fly half Sarah Gill converted. FULL TIME 26-0 Open side Ruth Slaven, made her first start for the national team in her second cap, after coming off the bench in the previous game as a replacement in the front row. The performance was an improvement on their previous outing against finalists Wales and they will go into their next match against the Spanish (Saturday 24 May) with renewed confidence. Scotland Women will play Spain in the Group A, fifth place play off, kicking off at midday on Saturday 24 May at the National Rugby Centre in Amsterdam. Scotland Women: Lynsey Douglas (Richmond); Ronnie Fitzpatrick (RHC), Lucy Millard (Murrayfield Wanderers), Suzi Newton (Blaydon/ Team Northumbria), Cara D’Silva (RHC); Erin Kerr (Richmond), Louise Dalgliesh (RHC); Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Sarah-Louise Walker (Watsonians), Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), Jilly McCord (RHC) CAPTAIN, Lindsay Wheeler (Blaydon/ Team Northumbria), Lyne Reid (RHC), Louise Moffat (RHC), Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers). Substitutes (all used apart from Forsyth and Griffith): Joan Hutchison (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Ellen Beattie (Murrayfield Wanderers), Alex Pratt (Watsonians), Keri Holdsworth (Watsonians), Sarah Gill (Murrayfield Wanderers), Julie Sanaghan (Kirkcaldy), Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Louise Forsyth (RHC), Tanya Griffith (RHC).