Scots Struggle Against Welsh Experience

Scotland Women were overcome by a spirited Welsh side at the FIRA-AER European Championships in Amsterdam, on Saturday (17 May), losing 10-27. Scotland started solidly but conceded two tries late in the first half to trail by fifteen points at halftime. In the second half, Scotland fought back through an early penalty and a converted try, however, the resurgence was short lived and Wales scored a flurry of tries to put the game out of sight.Scotland Women were overcome by a spirited Welsh side at the FIRA-AER European Championships in Amsterdam, on Saturday (17 May), losing 10-27. Scotland started solidly but conceded two tries late in the first half to trail by fifteen points at halftime. In the second half, Scotland fought back through an early penalty and a converted try, however, the resurgence was short lived and Wales scored a flurry of tries to put the game out of sight. Scotland started brightly but failed to capitalise on a couple of promising chances early in the match. Their defence held strong and it was not until the 26th minute that Wales scored the first points of the match through the boot of Non Evans. The penalty was quickly followed by two tries from Welsh Captain Mel Berry and another penalty. Half Time: 0-15 The half time substitution at scrum half of Louise Dalgliesh for Sarah Gill paid dividends for the Scots, as Dalgliesh landed their first points from a penalty two minutes in. Scotland began to control many areas of the game especially at the set piece and finally crossed the goal line in the 58th minute through Heather Lockhart, Dalgliesh duly converted. With the score at 10-15 the contest was beginning to look on an even plain. However, Scotland’s chances were soon eclipsed by the Welsh as Berry claimed her hat trick and Evans crossed the line for a try, which she converted. Full Time: 10-27 Although the Scots will not remember the match as their greatest success it will remain memorable for one particular individual, Ruth Slaven, who earned her first cap, replacing Beth Dickens in the front row. Scotland Women’s Head Coach, Jamie Dempsey said: We are trying to develop a new style of play and that always involves a risk factor when playing against an experienced side like Wales. To sum up the game I would say that the difference between the sides was that they took their chances and we didn’t. Tomorrow night (Tuesday 20 May) Scotland Women will play Holland at Leiden, kicking off at 6pm. In spite of their defeat to Wales there is a lot of confidence in the Scotland camp. There were a lot of positives from Saturday’s match especially our success at the set piece, hopefully tomorrow we will continue to succeed in these areas as well in addition to playing the expansive rugby we want to, added Dempsey. Scotland Women team to play Holland at Leiden, Tuesday 20 May, 6pm. 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: 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).