Scotland battled to 24-19 triumph over Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday in a thrilling Women’s Six Nations round one match.
It was not pretty at times in front of a crowd of 10,569 and the Scots can play a lot better, but a victory in head coach Sione Fukofuka’s first game was what mattered and they got that.
The head coach told The Offside Line website after the match: “It was gritty, it was brave, it was resilient.
“It wasn’t pretty at all, but at the same time the fight at the end – I think it was 20-plus phases Wales had and we kept them out – just shows the character of this group and the belief they have in each other to keep turning up.
“Wales were great at putting us under pressure at times. Full credit to them, we knew they were going to scrap and fight, but it was fantastic that we were able to respond.”
Player of the match Helen Nelson added: “It’s always tight against Wales, but I’m just proud that we put in that full 80-plus minute performance and managed to get the win.
“We can now build from here into the England game at Murrayfield in round two next weekend.”
The visitors took the lead after nine minutes when good hands by centres Emma Orr and Meryl Smith and winger Rhona Lloyd set up full-back Chloe Rollie for a converted try.
In the 12th minute Wales were level when hooker Kelsey Jones powered over for a converted try.
To make things worse for Scotland, loosehead prop Leah Bartlett was yellow carded for an infringement in the lead up to that one on her 50th cap.
Wales’ second try came through tighthead prop Sisilia Tuipulotu from a lineout and it was 12-10 at the break after stand-off Nelson kicked a penalty for a Scotland side who had not found top gear as yet.
Scotland needed something to spark them into life and it came in the 52nd minute when a Nelson kick bounced nicely and winger Shona Campbell scored. Nelson converted to make it 17-12 before Orr suffered a bad looking knee injury.
On the hour mark, No.8 Bryonie King was then yellow carded for Wales for a high tackle just after Holland Bogan had come on for her Scotland debut.
With another debutante Demi Swann and fellow sub Lucia Scott on, the latter scored a brilliant try versus 14 in the 68th minute for Scotland when she collected a Smith kick and went over. Nelson converted and it was 24-12.
A late converted try by Wales’ skipper Kate Williams made it interesting, Nelson then missed a penalty and the hosts chased a winning try. Five minutes past the 80, Swann was yellow carded, but, amid hectic scenes and 87 or so minutes on the clock, Scotland held on.
- In the other round one games on Saturday, France beat Italy 40-7 with a bonus point and England got the better of Ireland 33-12 at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham.
- Round two is shaping up to be a cracker, especially the Scotland-England match at Murrayfield.
Second-row Hollie Cunningham is pictured in action versus Wales – thanks to Scottish Rugby
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