Six Nations – Second Round
The big match of the weekend didn’t disappoint. Once again we had high tension as the clock ticked past eighty.
In 6N terms Scotland’s first-half performance at the Arms Park was a revelation. They attacked with clean hands and fast clear-outs, the continuity that has failed them so often in past years brought added confidence. A penalty kicked to the right corner led to a try by Lana Skeldon, a fine way to start her 50th cap game. (0-7)
Wales suffered a string of penalties as they came under the cosh, but significantly the Scots couldn’t complete another score before the hosts finally got themselves out of their own half. Then came a Welsh version of that opening try, this one to Carys Phillips. (7-7)
Scotland resumed their attack at once, Rhona Lloyd almost getting round on the outside. Twice more when offered penalties, they went for the aggressive option and Lisa Thomson aimed for the corner. Neither line-out came to fruition; would the missing six points prove costly?
On the half-hour they mounted their longest raid yet; close to twenty phases saw them batter the line. When Jenny Maxwell heard Joy Neville call ‘penalty advantage!’ She hoisted a high cross- kick to the right. It looked to be too deep, but on the artificial surface the ball bounced backwards from just short of the dead-ball line and Lloyd pounced. (7-14)
A real chance went begging when Sarah Bonar failed to serve the three backs outside her; she was held as she dipped inside. No more scores up to the whistle, but Wales had lost Kerin Lake to a yellow after a number of infringements.
Half-time: 7-14
Scotland picked up where they had left off, attacking with vigour. Lloyd accepted a floated pass and was over. (7-19) The crowd that had grown quiet over the first half was hushed again.
They came to life again as the red shirts really got their game together. For the second time this series it was Sioned Harries’ appearance off the bench that made the difference. The pack started shunting the Scots rearwards. Still down to 14, they achieved their second try through the inspired Harries. (14-19)
Scotland were under the hammer; twice Wales were denied drives to the line, but Leah Bartlett paid for the pressure her pack was under with a yellow.
Amid scenes of great rejoicing Kelsey Jones finished a line-out drive to bring Wales equal. (19-19) But a draw was little use to anyone.
As the game moved into its final stages, Alisha Butchers made a fine break through midfield. Ffion Lewis was on her shoulder to complete a defining try – the first time Wales had led. (24-19) And this brought the try-bonus point, which may yet have huge consequences in the future.
Scotland have recent experience of last-minute turn-arounds from their nail-biting World Cup win over Ireland.
Now they put together multiple phases as in the first half. As the clock turned red, they hammered away at the Welsh line, both sides knowing the first mistake would prove costly. Sadly for them, it was a knock-on in attack. The ball finished in the stand and the Welsh could celebrate two consecutive 6N wins.
Result: Wales 24 Scotland 19
Player of the Match: Sioned Harries
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
Attendance: 4,875, another new record
Teams
Wales:
15 Kayleigh Powell, 14 Lisa Neumann, 13 Hannah Jones, 12 Kerin Lake, 11 Jasmine Joyce; 10 Elinor Snowsill, 9 Keira Bevan; 1 Gwenllian Pyrs, 2 Carys Phillips, 3 Cerys Hale, 4 Natalia John, 5 Gwen Crabb, 6 Alisha Butchers, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Siwan Lillicrap (captain)
Bench: 16 Kelsey Jones, 17 Cara Hope, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Sioned Harries, 20 Bethan Lewis, 21 Ffion Lewis, 22 Robyn Wilkins, 23 Sisilia Tuipulotu
Scotland:
15 Shona Campbell, 14.Rhona Lloyd, 13 Emma Orr (uncapped) 12 Lisa Thomson, 11 Megan Gaffney, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Jenny Maxwell; 1 Leah Bartlett, 2.Lana Skeldon, 3 Christine Belisle, 4 Emma Wassell, 5 Sarah Bonar, 6 Rachel Malcolm (captain), 7 Evie Gallagher, 8 Jade Konkel
Bench:
16 Jodie Rettie, 17 Panashe Muzambe, 18 Katie Dougan, 19. Lyndsay O’Donnell, 20. Louise McMillan, 21. Caity Mattinson, 22. Meryl Smith, 23. Coreen Grant
Table:
P W L B Pts
France 2 2 0 2 10
Wales 2 2 0 2 10
England 1 1 0 1 5
Scotland 2 0 2 1 1
Italy 1 0 1 0 0
Ireland 2 0 2 0 0
Afterthoughts
When we see the effect Carys Phillips and especially Sioned Harries are having for Wales, their disappearance from view for two years and more becomes harder to explain. Space must surely be found in the starting pack for Harries as they face sterner tussles in coming weeks.
For Scotland this was a case of so near, yet so far. Their best was very fine indeed, but they couldn’t quite finish the job. They have two more opportunities, against Italy then Scotland, once they have met the challenge that is France.
Bryan Easson’s hand was forced by having a number of squad players unavailable for selection: Chloe Rollie, Evie Wills, Lisa Cockburn, Molly Wright, Rachel McLachlan and Sarah Law. But he was able to welcome Sarah Bonar back from her RAF duties, and Caity Mattinson was on the bench for her first chance to wear blue in the 6N.
