10

31

SCOTS STUMBLE IN FACE OF WELSH

Switched from Meggetland to Lasswade's ground at Hawthornden, due to an unplayable pitch at the former, Scotland kicked off their opening Six Nations fixture against Wales on Sunday (8 February).

The opposition proved too strong for the home side, as the final scoreline read 10-31. 

"We're obviously disappointed with the result," said Head Coach Jamie Dempsey, "and three errors in defence, early on, cost us dearly." 

Just three minutes into the game, Wales went ahead through a penalty from Non Evans who then played a part in the first try of the game, when team mate Alison Wright crossed the line. Scotland, through the boot of Sarah Gill, responded in the 22nd minute with a penalty; within two minutes, Non Evans replied with the same.

A further try from Mellissa Berry, duly converted by Non Evans, stretched the visitors' lead to 3-16. However the home side battled bravely to come back three minutes later with Lucy Millard crossing the whitewash and Sarah Gill adding the extra points.

By the half-time break, however, two further penalties from Non Evans had again stretched the Welsh lead.

Half-time score: Scotland 10 - 25 Wales

Shortly after the break, Wales stretched the lead by a further three points, courtesy of Non Evans, who was responsible for the only other three points of the half. However the home side dominated territory and possession in the second half, as reflected in the score line.

Final score: Scotland 10 - 31 Wales

"We're obviously disappointed with the result," said Head Coach Jamie Dempsey, "and three errors in defence, early on, cost us dearly.

"There were a lot of positive signs, however, and we applied more pressure in the second half. We're still developing, as a side but I thought our front row was outstanding and Susie Brown, our nunber 8, had a fantastic game."

The Scotland Women team to play France Women in Arras (Sunday 15 February, k/o 3pm) will be announced tomorrow (Tuesday 10 February).

15 Lynsey Douglas (Richmond)
14 Cara D’Silva (Royal High Corstorphine)
13 Lucy Millard (Murrayfield Wanderers)
12 Suzi Newton (Team Northumbria)
11 Veronica Fitzpatrick (Royal High Corstorphine)
10 Erin Kerr (Richmond)
9 Sarah Gill (Murrayfield Wanderers)

1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordanhill)
2 Sarah-Louise Walker (Watsonians)
3 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers)
4 Louise Moffat (Kirkcaldy)
5 Lindsay Wheeler (Team Northumbria)
6 Keri Holdsworth (Watsonians)
7 Lynne Reid CAPTAIN (Royal High Corstorphine)
8 Susie Brown (Hillhead / Jordanhill)

Substitutes
16 Nikki McLeod (Edinburgh University)
17 Ellen Beattie (Murrayfield Wanderers)
18 Joy Lyth (Lismore)(on for Moffat, 56m)
19 Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers)(on for Holdsworth, 45m)
20 Louise Dalgleish (Royal High Corstorphine)(on for Gill, 56m)
21 Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers)(on for Douglas, 27m)
22 Victoria Blakebrough (Richmond)(on for Fitzpatrick, 70m)

Wales Women: 1 Hannah Roberts, 2 Rhian Bowden, 3 Jenny Davies, 4 Louise Horgan, 5 Gemma Hallet, 6 Catrina Nicholas, 7 Jamie Kift, 8 Mellissa Berry, 9 Amy Day, 10 Naomi Thomas, 11 Louise Rickard, 12 Claire Flowers, 13 Rachel Poolman, 14 Alison Wright, 15 Non Evans. Replacements: 16 Claire Horgan, 17 Rachel Taylor, 18 Claire Donovan, 19 Carys John, 20 Laura Prosser, 21 Anwen Thomas, 22 Aimee Young.