Report: Italy U18 26-26 Scotland U18

Scotland got started with the first score, coming from the wing which was to become a theme of the day. Building off a counter-attack, a sensational run from Bethan Mathieson saw her charge down the left wing from just outside her own 22, cutting inside the last defender and dotting down just under the posts. X converted. 

After some patient phase play from Italy, a strong line from Matilde Cecati saw her charge through and over the line to draw the scores level. 

With Italy handed a red card following an off-the-ball incident Connie Sanderson took matters into her own hands on the right wing to get Scotland back in front. With space closing down in front of her, the winger stepped back inside to propel herself over the try line, pushing Scotland into a seven-point lead.  

But Italy responded well, and Giada Mazza managed to get them back within two points after they worked their way down the left. 

And Italy continued their momentum, with Celeste Cortini reaching for the line from a ruck inches short to give Italy the lead a minute before the interval. 

Half-time: Italy U18 19-14 Scotland U18 

Italy were able to pull further clear run at the start of the second half, with Cecati picking up her second of the day as she evaded two tackles on the left and went over.  

Sanderson then got a second of her own with 10 minutes to go, as the backs worked the ball from left to right with some excellent handling to put the winger over in the right corner. 

And less five minutes went by before the electric winger got her hat-trick. The phase started inside Scotland’s 22, and Sanderson got the ball well inside her own half before rounding the last defender before Waters converted to draw the game level. 

Italy looked poised to score with the final play as they broke from deep in their own half, but Scotland recovered well and a fascinating draw concluded. 

Full Time: Italy U18 26-26 Scotland U18 

Reaction:  

Head Coach Lindsey Smith said: “Firstly, some of those girls were playing their first game of international rugby and I thought they managed it really well. A little bit frustrated to draw because we created some really good opportunities, but we had some really good periods of play.

“I thought the forwards and backs linked really well, our lineout operated pretty well. Our decision making will get better, but we moved the ball out wide well which is something we wanted to do.

“The pace out wide is a real threat for us, but it’s not just sprinting and finishing, Bethan and Connie both had work to do. For Connie’s last try she had to beat two, three defenders and transfer the ball into her other hand to keep the last defender away, I thought she did really well.”

Scotland: 15. Neve Murray 14. Connie Sanderson 13. Robyn Allan 12. Niamh Waters 11. Bethan Mathieson 10. Sophie Gilvear 9. Emma Wyllie 1. Ellen Nimmo 2. Emily Sansom, 3. Jessica Combe 4. Pip Sutherland 5. Layla Mitchell 6. Rhianna Bodle 7. Eve Mackay (Captain) 8. Estella Vaughan  

Replacements: 16. Amy Vance 17. Juliet Ramsay 18. Danielle Kaschula 19. Lilly Clarkson 20. Gemma Gordon 21. Aoife Powrie-Smith 22. Lucy Ronald 23. Eilidh Rose 24. Lucy Symon