Women’s Rugby – Scotland v Wales

by John Preece

Scotland’s Women’s team were the last chance to save an RBS 6-Nations clean sweep for Wales over the weekend, but came up short to the tune of a 41 points to 12 defeat.

The score, however, does not really do justice to a Scottish team, who, after a couple of senior retirements, are in the process of re-building and fought hard to contain a superior Welsh side.

After a fairly decent start, with most of the pressure from Scotland, a penalty allowed Wales to open the scoring after 12 minutes. A period of frantic defending from Scotland came to nought when, after a series of mistakes and infringements, Wales went over for their first try just after 30 minutes. This seemed to put the Scots on the back foot, and lead to Wales running in another three tries and Scotland’s scrum-half, Louise Dalgleish, being yellow carded, before half-time.

Half time score, Scotland 0, Wales 26

Wales again were the better team for the first 20 minutes of the second half, scoring another two tries, giving Wales a 36-0 lead. Now Scotland seemed to lift their game and following a Welsh yellow, Tracy Balmer was forced over the line by the pack for Scotland’s first score and her maiden try for the National team.

Another yellow for Wales near full time lead to a scrum a few yards out, which the forwards managed to convert into points, with Lindsey Wheeler grounding the ball for the second try.

Wales weren’t completely finished, however, and scored their final try deep (very deep, it seemed) into injury time, to bring the final score to Scotland 12, Wales 41.

http://www.jlp-photography.co.uk/International-Sporting-Events