Historic day as Scotland’s women in seventh heaven
WALES 18 SCOTLAND 20 Scotland made it an all-time record seven wins-in-a-row last night after a late fightback by Wales fell just short.
The Welsh had won 15 of the last 17 meetings between the teams, and had a chance in the final minute to claim a draw – but Lleucu George’s attempt to convert Alex Callender’s try went wide of the far post.
It was just a second win for Bryan Easson’s side in the Women’s Six Nations since Italy joined in 2007 – the last was against Ireland in 2018. They had not won in Wales since 2004 – and they had lost their last 10 away games in the Championship by an average of 29 points.
They made it hard for themselves here, and should really have wrapped the game up long before the end.
But, after ending the last Six Nations with home wins over Italy and Ireland, and then beating Spain, South Africa, Japan and the USA last year, they have clearly made massive progress over the past 12 months.
Playing with a slight wind at their backs, Scotland went behind after five minutes when they were penalised for not rolling away and Keira Bevan was on target with the award.
It only took two minutes for the visitors to hit back, however.
After solid progress was made through the middle from a lineout, Coreen Grant took a pass from Meryl Smith, left full-back Jenny Hesketh for dead, and touched down before winger Jasmine Joyce could get to her.
Helen Nelson converted, then after quarter of an hour added a penalty to put Scotland 10-3 up.
Those three points might well have been more, as they
followed a period of play in which the Scots twice sent penalties to the corner but failed to get their maul going from the lineout.
It was a similar story after Nelson’s penalty, as Scotland continued to enjoy considerable pressure but failed to capitalise on it.
Grant looked dangerous every time the ball reached her on the left wing, but too often it was lost infield before it got close to her.
Both teams were just about equally guilty of committing numerous unforced mistakes, but, as half-time approached, Wales steadily reduced the error count and began to apply some pressure.
An attacking scrum deep in Scots territory gave the home side an excellent pressure from which to attack, and from the base No. 8 Bethan Lewis launched an assault on the line only to be held up.
In the end, Wales had to content themselves with the three points just as Scotland had had to do 25 minutes earlier.
Leah Bartlett was penalised for going off her feet, and Bevan was on target again with the last kick of the half.
Scotland hit back early in the second and, after Emma Orr left three opponents for dead, Rhona Lloyd touched down in the corner. Nelson converted to make it 17-6.
Wales got their first touchdown after an hour when Silisia Tuipulotu finished from close range, and Bevan’s conversion made it 13-17.
Nelson stretched the lead to seven points with a penalty seven minutes from time, but after debutant Alex Stewart was yellow-carded for a team offence, Callender scored to make it a two-point game.
Even after George missed, Wales had the chance to run the ball back. But they kicked into touch and that chance was gone.