Wales weather late storm to see off Scotland

WALES made it two from two as they fought off an impressive Scottish side in Edinburgh.

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham said: “Scotland were excellent. I said to the team that I was super proud that we weathered that storm. It’s a tough place to come away and get a victory.”

Wales started the stronger. Keira Bevan on her 50th cap, made a blazing break from inside her own half and gave Wales the perfect platform to attack. They earned a penalty and kicked for a lineout deep in the Scottish 22.

Sisilia Tuipulotu caught the ball and rode two tackout les to dot down in the corner. Scotland survived another scare when Sioned Harries’ try was overruled and Helen Nelson got Scotland

on the board with a penalty.

Wales extended their lead after a storming break from Harries. The No.8 found Bevan who was hauled down just short. Gwenllian Pyrs touched down from the next phase.

Scotland made their territory count as their driving lineout was too powerful for Wales’ forwards. Lana Skeldon emerged from the back of the lineto claim the score and Nelson nailed a touchline conversion for 10-12.

Wales conceded nine penalties in the first half and referee Maggie Cogger-Orr lost patience and sent Kerin Lake to the bin. But Scotland wasted their field position and couldn’t find the score that would have given them the lead going into half-time.

After going down to 14, the Welsh kept it tight and got their third try of the match just after half-time courtesy of a strong pickand-go from Pyrs. Scotland wouldn’t go away and brought the scores back to within two. Coreen Grant came flying off her wing to collect a beautiful ball from Meryl Smith and finished well to secure the try.

Tuipulotu then got her second of the game and third of the championship. After a searing Hannah Jones break, Wales got quick ball and the prop was too much for Scotland’s last line of defence.

Chloe Rollie then produced the try of the match. The full-back got on the end of Smith’s flat pass and then smoked Wales’ cover defence to canter in untouched.

Wales then secured their win after a late try from Ffion Lewis. The No.9 was quickest to a loose ball after a messy Scottish scrum and dotted down to confirm Wales’ win.

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm said: “I’m disappointed because we were totally in it and I couldn’t ask for more from the girls. The way we stepped up defensively in the second half was massive step forward.”

TEAMS

SCOTLAND: Rollie 8, Grant 7 (Musgrove 68, 5), Orr 6, Smith 7 (Blacklock 73), McGhie 7, Nelson 7, Mattinson 6 (McDonald 56, 5); Bartlett 6 (Young 69, 5), Skeldon 9 (Rettie 69, 5), Belisle 6 (Clarke, 56, 5), O’Donnell 5 (Donaldson 68, 5), McMillian 6, Malcolm 6, McLachlan 6 (Sinclair 2-31, 6), Gallagher 8

WALES: Keight 6, Neumann 7 (Bluck 79), Jones 7, Lake 7, Williams-Morris 6, Snowsill 8 (Phillips 79), Bevan 8 (Lewis 60, 7); Pyrs 9 (Hope 79), Jones 7 (Phillips 79), Tuipulotu 9 (Hale 79), Fleming 6 (John 66, 6), Evans 6, Lewis 6, Callender 8, Harries, 8 (Williams 63, 5)

REFEREE: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)

ATTENDANCE: 3,031

Star player

Sisilia Tuipulotu - Wales