Six Nations – Round One
This was the game that would tell us so much about the way the 6N was heading.
The Scots hadn’t beaten the Welsh on Welsh soil for 20 years, and a large crowd turned out hoping to see them fail again. They cheered when Keira Bevan struck an early penalty (3-0), but Bryan Easson had suggested playing at 100 mph. His team reacted accordingly. At every turn they went for the quick option, Caity Mattinson constantly looking for the tap and go; turnovers were shifted away speedily from the breakdown point.
If you can remember the last time Scottish backs moved the ball fast and smoothly in the 6N, you have a better memory than me. It was great to watch.
A wonderful attack saw the ball spun left to Coreen Grant. She had too much pace for the covering defence and was over. Helen Nelson converted. 3-7
This pressure brought one old Welsh failing back into prominence: penalties. After three in thirteen minutes, they shipped a fourth on their own 5-metre line. Nelson added three points. 3-10
It was wonderful seeing such pacy backs on view. On 18 minutes we had a thrilling passage of play; another turnover gave Grant a second chance on the left, but this time Jas Joyce got back to chop her down.
One Scottish weakness was all too familiar, the line-out throw. The analysts will estimate for us how many points they left unscored as a result. But another strong Scottish attack was halted only by a Beth Lewis turnover close to her line.
It was end-to-end stuff; exciting for the spectator – especially the neutral – but for the coaches it much have been hair-whitening time. Chances at both ends, but the only addition to the score was another Bevan penalty just before the lemons.
Half-time: 6-10
At least the Scots had proved to themselves that they were at least the equals of the opposition. They were holding the power of the Welsh scrum in check, and had shown more penetration than the opposition out behind. But now they would face the wind and what remained of the bright sun. (Note for the Tourist Board: blue skies over Cardiff; rain at Le Mans).
They got off to the best possible start. Emma Orr made a glorious outside break running right; she timed a perfect pass to Rhona Lloyd who skipped out of a last despairing tackle. 6-17
But when Lisa Thomson kicked deep into Welsh territory, she was forgetting that wind. The return kick left her side defending. Rachel Malcolm received a warning from Clara Munarini for repeated infringements close to the line. They paid the penalty with a try to the unstoppable Sisilia Tuipulotu, who started and finished a drive from 5 metres out. 13-17
Worse still, Lana Skeldon suffered an injury that caused a lengthy hold-up, but fortunately she was able to hobble off the field to applause.
To show how the Scottish approach has improved since last year, they went straight back on attack, and when given the penalty option, went for the corner, rather than aim at the posts from in front. With hindsight, they may think differently next time the same situation arises.
The result now was an endless series of thuds at the line. They have learned the value of patience – no white-line fever here – but neither could they produce the vital breakthrough. Something else for the coaches to work on. And in the process Sarah Bonar had to retire with what looked like a damaged shoulder.
The good news for them was that they kept up the pressure, enough for Nelson to accept another three-point penalty. 13-20.
Six minutes left, and the Welsh just seven points adrift. Now it all happens. They regain territory to endanger the Scottish line. A Welsh cross-kick just fails to find its mark, but they have penalty advantage. In the process, the debutant flanker, Alex Stewart, sees yellow. She has put herself about to good effect, but now has to watch and pray.
Three minutes left, and the TMO is called up for a first adjudication: try or no try? The ref’s verdict is try! After a close look the verdict is indeed a try to Alex Callender. 18-20. Now the 80 minutes are up, and Bevan has long since left the field. So it’s Lleucu George to take the kick from the left. The whole of the Principality holds its breath; the kick fades right. The Scots have won.
So it’s yet another victory for the Thistles, and a first in in rhe Welsh capital. Joy mingles with relief. It’s what you call a close-run thing.
Result: Cyrmu 18 Scotland 20
The Teams
Cymru
15 *Jenny Hesketh 14 Jasmine Joyce 13 Hannah Jones 12 Kerin Lake 11 *Nel Metcalfe 10 Lleucu George 9 Keira Bevan 1 Gwenllian Pyrs 2 Kelsey Jones 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu 4 Natalia John 5 Abbie Fleming 6 Alisha Butchers 7 Alex Callender 8 Bethan Lewis
16 Carys Phillips 17 Abbey Constable 18 Donna Rose 19 Georgia Evans 20 Kate Williams 21 Sian Jones 22 Niamh Terry 23 Carys Cox
*uncapped
Scotland
15 Meryl Smith 14 Rhona Lloyd 13 Emma Orr 12 Lisa Thomson 11 Coreen Grant 10 Helen Nelson 9 Caity Mattinson 1 Leah Bartlett 2 Lana Skeldon 3 Christine Belisle 4 Emma Wassell 5 Sarah Bonar 6 Rachel Malcolm (captain( 7 *Alex Stewart 8 Evie Gallagher
16 Elis Martin 17 Molly Wright 18 Elliann Clarke 19 Louise McMillan 20 Rachel McLachlan 21 Mairi McDonald 22 Shona Campbell 23 Chloe Rollie
*uncapped
Referee: Clara Munarini
Player of the Match: Coreen Grant
Afterthoughts
Scotland had suffered ten consecutive away losses in the 6N; but now it is seven wins on the trot. An extraordinary turnaround.
Helen Nelson’s 100% success rate with the boot was central to Scotland’s success. Chloe Rollie did appear for the last few minutes; she hadn’t played since January.
The worries return for Wales. Though they came very close, their second-half performance wasn’t commanding enough to deserve victory.
