The Letter of the Law
A game disfigured by constant interruptions from the review box. Was the game really played by a gang of malcontents?
The Lynn effect was in evidence from the start. It was all Wales, till a Keira Bevan thrust was stopped just short of the line. The Scots Guards were not in place.
The Welsh pack destroyed the ensuing scrum. On four minutes Carys Phillips accepted a short pass and crashed over. 0-7
Now Scotland got to work, Hollie Cunningham very prominent. A clever chip by Helen Nelson was collected by Fran McGhie who weaved her way forward. But, frustratingly, the raid was halted by a turnover.
No matter, the next few minutes were all Scotland. Wales just managed to stop McGhie and Chloe Rollie in their tracks. The hosts got the scoreboard moving when Nelson accepted the offer of a penalty in front. 3-7
Now the infringements started piling up. Carys Phillips was guilty of a high tackle, but Lana Skeldon, her opposite number, threw in over the top to lose possession. Another high tackle, now by Jennie Scoble, set the Scots on the front foot. They were held up over the line, but had a penalty anyway.
The driving maul held together better this time and Rachel Malcolm claimed the try. Nelson made a fine conversion. 10-7
Ah, but we are in TMO land, so after all the joy, it’s an intervention: blocking in the line-out before the drive, so obstruction and Wales were still leading. 3-7
It’s strange how deflating the new law-applications can make the game, and not just for the infringing team. After that delay Malcolm had a lengthy debate with the ref, so hopes of a speeded-up game were further postponed. Malcolm has secured her place as the natural successor to Sarah Hunter for the most persistent “a word in your ear, ref” captain on the planet.
The match was an interesting battle, Scotland’s lack of poundage losing them possession, countered by their speed of movement. Wales defended solidly to win turnovers.
Bevan’s first box-kick let McGhie run 60 metres, but once more Cymru won the breakdown decision. The Scots yielded their fifth turnover, made a high tackle and Bevan slid 25 metres through defences. Another penalty let Lleucu George put her side into the opposition’s 22 for the first time since that opening score.
Back to the TMO show: was Alaw Pyrs’ tackle on Skeldon dangerous? No, penalty only was Kat Roche’s verdict. The game could resume, but Roche gave a final warning.
As the half drew to a close Sarah Bonar scored a second Scottish try after a big build-up through backs then forwards. 10-7
The yellow awarded to Georgia Evans was unusual, since the cameras and the comm. team didn’t spot it. But suddenly, there she was in close-up on the naughty seat.
Another promising Scottish move halted when Rollie dropped the ball. Bevan was happy to hoof ball out.
Half-time 10-7
The rain now teemed down. Donna Rose was straight on.
A dramatic start: a huge break by Evie Gallagher ended just short of the line; Lisa Thomson finished the job.
Then a lengthy break for a return to the TMO show: Scotland are found guilty of obstruction to set Gallagher free. With the referee’s explanation now reproduced fortissimo over the PA the boos are twice as loud as the first time. And the speeded-up game has slowed to another halt – all in favour of justice. The smile on disbelieving Welsh faces tells us all. As you were: 10-7 – I made that the fourth TMO intervention; you might think they get paid per call.
More adventures: as Kayleigh Powell attempted a cross-kick, she lost control thanks to a Nelson tackle. Thomson hacked ahead, McGhie’s quick arrival set the ball loose and Emma Orr ran all the way. As unlikely a sequence as you please. 17-7
On 48 minutes we enjoyed a fifth TMO contribution: Scotland were driven back. Rollie scrambled to regain possession behind her line. Evans, just back on, made a high tackle. An automatic red, the second of the first afternoon of the 6N. What would the review decide?
At once the Scots wasted the advantage. About seventeen of them were off-side as Nelson kicked deep.
For once a typical Bevan penalty snipe didn’t work; she was held up – a big chance lost.
On 52 minutes Cymru had another go. George kicked to the right corner… but, rather like another TV commercial, it’s time for the TMO’s sixth intervention: he spots Gallagher dropping her body on to an opponent’s lower leg. It’s another yellow plus review.
This time Abbie Fleming gets over from short range, followed by a fine conversion from Bevan. 17-14
This wasn’t going according to Scottish plans. It was a 3-point margin, two tries each and two yellows under bunker review.
Three minutes later another pause as the first review is announced – yellow only. But it was a second offence, so Wales remain reduced to 14 to the end.
On the three-quarter mark the second review is announced – RED. We have to pause again as the captains are summoned and the referee’s judgement is broadcast to a stunned audience.
Recap. it’s a 3-point margin, two tries each and two reds.
More drama: Orr makes a huge break, Thomson dummies and advances. Leah Bartlett finishes the job down low. 24-14
With seven minutes to go Wales find another gear. The pack pounds at the line and the elder Pyrs is credited with the try. The conversion leaves them three points behind. Time for the weak of heart to retire somewhere calmer.
A minute on the clock, and Wales infringe yet again. And that is enough to earn the Scots five points and a third consecutive victory in this fixture.
Result: Scotland 24 Wales 21
Player of the Match: Helen Nelson
Referee: Kat Roche (USA)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
Attendance: 4,234
Teams
Scotland
1 Young 2 Skeldon 3 Clarke 4 Cunningham 5 Bonar 6 Malcolm (captain) 7 McLachlan 8 Gallagher 9 Brebner-Holden 10 Nelson 11 McGhie 12 Thomson 13 Orr 14 Lloyd 15 Rollie
16 Martin 17 Bartlett 18 Belisle 19 *Ferrie 20 Stewart 21 Konkel 22 Mattinson 23 Wills
*uncapped
Wales
1 Maisie Davies 2 Phillips 3 Scoble 4 Fleming 5 A. Pyrs 6 K. Williams 7 Lewis 8 G. Evans
9 Bevan 10 George 11 Cox 12 K. Powell 13 Jones (captain) 14 Neumann 15 Joyce
16 K. Jones 17 G. Pyrs 18 Rose 19 Crabb 20 King 21 Megan Davies 22 Keight 23 Metcalfe
I must leave my thoughts about cards and safety to another day.
