| Scots stall in World Cup opener |
| Friday, 20 August 2010 | |
|
In this afternoon's 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup opener, Scotland Women couldn't turn pressure into points as, despite racking up the majority of possession against Canada, the scoreline failed to reflect their efforts. Said head coach, Gary Parker: "It was really a game of two halves. We didn't turn up for the first forty minutes of the match and we were punished for that. Every time we let them in, they got the better of us. "We need to learn from our mistakes - quickly - put this game behind us and focus on the next game, on Tuesday. It'll be a huge match against the French and we need to be ready." Listen to captain Lynne Reid's thoughts on the game, below.
Scotland ran out to open this sixth Women's Rugby World Cup under showery Surrey skies, to a rousing reception from the capacity crowd at the tournament site, near Guildford. Getting off to a cracking start, they dominated possession for the first six minutes, including a break from Louise Dalgliesh, but conceded a penalty after ten minutes, slotted successfully by the Canadian stand off, Anna Schnell. A loose ball at the restart was stolen successfully by the Scots and precipitated a great run from centre, Lucy Millard. The break was intercepted, however, with the Canadians slicing through the line to cross the whitewash and make the scoreline 0-8, courtesy of Barbara Mervin. Canada enjoyed a good run over the next quarter of an hour with a penalty against the Scots for holding on, again booted between the uprights by Schnell to put the Canadians ahead, 0-11. The Scots took the advantage at the restart but Canada again spotted a gap with Mandy Marchak putting her name on the scoresheet, the try converted by Schnell to increase the Canadians' lead to 0-18. Just before half time, despite increased pressure by the Scots, the opposition once again found the whitewash with the score from Maria Gallo, Schnell adding the extra points to put them ahead 0-25, going into the break. The first half scores had come from Scotland's mistakes rather than allowing Canada to dominate, and a lapse of attention as the second half kicked off was to cost Scotland dear as Canada's centre, Marchak, charged unopposed to the line. The conversion went wide and the scoreboard read 0-30. Having notched up cap number 111, Scotland's experienced flanker, Donna Kennedy, left the field through injury and was replaced by Ruth Slaven. Two devastating breaks, by centre Lucy Millard then led to Scotland's first score, with the run from the halfway line putting five points on the board. It was replied to immediately, however, with a converted try - the five-pointer coming from Canada's Olympic bobsleigh champion, Heather Moyse (5-37). A double substitution for the Scots injected fresh legs to the final twenty five minutes and soon saw them driving towards the line, with good numbers and advantage gained, a kick to touch from Halfpenny landing five metres from the Canadian line. A try was threatening and soon came to pass, courtesy of lofty lock, Lindsay Wheeler. Halfpenny's conversion attempt just came up short to keep the score at 10-37. The Scots were now fired up and stalled Canada at the halfway mark on every turn. Sustained pressure for the next five minutes kept the ball in the red corner, perilously close to crossing the opposition line on at least four occasions. Good work between Millard and Halfpenny ensured the ball stayed on the Canada 22 until the final whistle, a nod at what might have been
Keep up to date with the team over the next three weeks with Susie Brown's blog on the Scotland Women web site
15 Nicola Halfpenny (Melrose) 14 Celia Hawthorn (Edinburgh University) 10 Erin Kerr (London Wasps) 1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordanhill) Replacements Canada Women Referee: Claire Daniels (England) Attendance: 2,500 SCOTLAND WOMEN RUGBY WORLD CUP SCHEDULE Pool C Friday 20 August Canada v Scotland (kick-off: 12noon) All Pool games will be played at Surrey Sports Park, near Guildford. Rugby fans who buy tickets for the WRWC 2010 will automatically be put onto a ticketing information list for the Rugby World Cup in 2015, to be hosted in England. For more information on tickets, please go to: www.rwcwomens.com
|
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
