Scotland finished another campaign winless, but how they lost to Ireland at the Kingspan they may still not comprehend.
They were in the lead for most of the game, not decisively, but on a day of teeming rain that couldn’t be expected.
They got on top straight away, Evie Gallagher finishing off strong drives at the line. (0-5)
Handling was always a chancy business, but Lisa Thomson nearly put Shona Campbell through with a neat reverse pass.
Then it was Enya Breen’s turn to shine at the other end. She made a big break through midfield, but a final off-load was more hopeful than accurate.
Caity Mattinson had problems at the back of the scrum. She tried to make up for a couple of indiscretions, only to be penalised for off-side at a ruck. Hannah O’Connor, who is rapidly gaining recognition as a versatile No 8, potted an excellent kick from the 10-metre line. (3-5)
She had another chance from a shade closer in, but pulled this one.
For most of the half Scotland were dictating the terms. The line-out worked pretty well, the pack held its own and they kicked sensibly. But actual try-scoring was to remain the biggest problem. And they committed errors that were hard to understand. On a wet day why do you throw beyond the back of the line-out in your own half? There are simpler alternatives available.
They suffered a reverse when Ireland claimed clean line-out ball and drove for the line. Neve Jones, who was a terrier throughout on her native heath, was credited with the score. Breen’s conversion struck the outside of the right post.
Half-time: 8-5
Both sides continued with huge endeavour, but defence proved stronger (and easier?) than attack.
Scotland did produce a great sequence, moving the ball by hand out of their 22 for Sarah Law to plant a fine kick into the left corner. But Ireland made sure of their clearance.
Scotland profited twice from penalty chances a good distance out, Nelson once more proving impervious to nerves. (8-8, then 8-11).
They had another promising moment, when a line-out brought a good catch-and-drive. The ball spun to the centre, but there Thomson infringed with yet another ‘holding on’ verdict. In a game of such fine margins all of these ‘nearly’ moves could prove costly when the final tallying was done.
A fine run through the middle by Chloe Rollie brought yet another penalty, and Nelson obliged once more. (8-14)
Ireland had to buck their ideas up; time was running short. But throwing the ball around was no easy prospect on an evening like this.
Minute by minute the game grew more agonising. As the clock crept towards 80, the Scots found themselves at the last ditch. The green shirts, led by Linda Djougang, Sam Monaghan and the impressive O’Connor, hammered at the line. The defenders were heroic, thrusting the assailants back again and again.
On 80 minutes Maggie Cogger-Orr penalised Scotland for a high tackle. Breen place a kick into the left corner. 81 minutes, and Ireland were still hammering away, but couldn’t find the decisive thrust. 82 minutes, ditto. 83 minutes, and nobody had left to catch their train. The tension was close to unbearable.
Now came the all-important moment: Breen found a tiny gap and was over the line. (13-14)
Somebody had to take the kick. Well, why not the try-scorer? She breathed deeply twice, and the ball toppled over. The Scots ran out, the referee shooed them back. Two more deep breaths, and the ball went over.
She disappeared under a pile of exultant bodies.
For the Scots it was another case of what might have been, but they can take huge credit for the quality of their game,
Result: Ireland 15 Scotland 14
Player of the Match: Neve Jones
Teams
Ireland:
15. Vicky Irwin (Sale Sharks/Ulster, uncapped) ,14. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union/Munster, 9 caps), 13. Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/ Leinster, 47 caps), 12. Enya Breen (UL Bohemian/Munster, 13 caps) 11. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union/Leinster, 1 cap), 10. Nikki Caughey (Railway Union/Leinster, 13 caps), 9. Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster, 22 caps), 1. Linda Djougang (Romagnat/Leinster, 21 caps), 2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster, 10 caps), 3. Christy Haney (Blackrock College/Leinster, 3 caps), 4. Nichola Fryday (captain, Exeter Chiefs/ Connacht, 26 caps), 5. Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby, 8 caps), 6. Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College/Munster, 14 caps), 7. Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby, 18 caps), 8. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/ Leinster, 11 caps)
Bench:
16. Emma Hooban (Blackrock College/Leinster, 11 caps), 17. Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian/Munster, 5 caps), 18. Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/ Leinster, 9 caps), 19. Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster, 19 caps) 20. Grace Moore (Railway Union/IQ Rugby, 2 caps), 21. Maeve Óg O’Leary (Blackrock College/Munster, 2 caps), 22. Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster, 13 caps), 23. Michelle Claffey (Blackrock College/Leinster, 13 caps).
Scotland:
15. Chloe Rollie (Exeter Chiefs, 48 caps), 14. Rhona Lloyd (Stade Bordelais, 37 caps), 13. Lisa Thomson (Sale Sharks, 44 caps), 12. Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning, 41 caps), 11. Shona Campbell (Edinburgh University, 5 caps), 10. Sarah Law (Sale Sharks, 51 caps), 9. Caity Mattinson (Worcester Warriors, 4 caps), 1. Molly Wright (Sale Sharks, 13 caps), 2. Lana Skeldon (Worcester Warriors, 52 caps), 3. Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning, 16 caps), 4. Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning, 55 caps), 5. Sarah Bonar (Harlequins, 28 caps), 6. Rachel Malcolm (captain, Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps), 7. Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks, 27 caps), 8. Evie Gallagher (Stirling County, 11 caps)
Bench:
16. Jodie Rettie (Saracens, 19 caps),17. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning, 15 caps), 18. Katie Dougan (Gloucester Hartpury, 16 caps), 19. Louise McMillan (Hillhead Jordanhill, 35 caps), 20. Eva Donaldson (Edinburgh University, I cap), Anne Young (Edinburgh University, 2 caps), 21. Mairi McDonald (Hillhead Jordanhill, 7 caps), 22. Emma Orr (Biggar, 2 caps), 23. Megan Gaffney (Loughborough Lightning, 43 caps)
Officials:
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
ARs: Clara Munarini (FIR) and Francesca Martin (WRU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
The Final Table:
P W L B Pts
England 5 5 0 7 27
France 5 4 1 4 20
Wales 5 2 3 3 11
Ireland 5 2 3 1 9
Italy 5 2 3 0 8
Scotland 5 0 5 3 3
