Under 20 Summer Series
The last round of the inaugural Under 20s Summer Series kicked off with two internationals widely separated across the day.
Ireland v Scotland
Despite the 9 o’clock start it was already hot. The temperature would reach 32 degrees in mid-afternoon (hence the big gap in start-times).
Scotland finished well beaten, but they had started with an adventurous handling game. Trouble was, it put pressure on accuracy, and too often a pass was mislaid or a turnover permitted.
An opening move foundered only when a final (scoring?) pass finished in touch.
On six minutes Sophie Barrett was over for their first try by the posts. Ceitidh Ainsworth and Aila Ronald combined delightfully to threaten the Irish line, but possession was lost. That was to be their fate for all their attacks bar one.
By contrast, Ireland were more direct.
The repeated theme was ‘held up’. The game may have set a new world record for the number of times the ball finished beyond the line, but not in contact with mother earth.
Eighteen minutes in, and sadly Ainsworth had to be stretchered off, with Hannah Ramsay taking her place. Offered a penalty, Ireland chose a shot at goal, and Kate Flannery added the three. (10-7).
From there till half-time both sides created chances, but a combination of errors and strong defences limited the scoring to a try for Scotland. Holland Bogan, a prominent figure for them, took a quick tap, Leia Brebner-Holden spread the ball wide, and Lucia Scott spotted a gap to go over.
At both water-breaks, the teams hunted for shade in the lee of the stand.
Half-time: Ireland 13 Scotland 7
Stamina would prove a vital ingredient. Ireland’s greater accuracy and interlinking proved too great for the Scots as the second half progressed. One effect was the referee’s whistle blowing ever more persistently against the Scots as they strayed off-side, or failed to keep their tackles low.
That helped to bring a string of Irish scores, adding up to 24 as the sun rose higher. The Scots never gave up trying, but odd moments revealed the weaknesses in their set-up. As one instance, their back-line consisted mostly of front-five players. Fitness and organisation were being put to a severe test. Too many Scottish passes forced the receiver to check her pace to collect.
The half was distinguished by a hat-trick of tries for Irish hooker Beth Buttimer, who profited from some accurate line-outs and her close support work.
The final try came to Hannah Wilson, a replacement prop, who pirouetted over the line to give her fellow forwards the reward they deserved.
Result: Ireland 37 Scotland 7
Player of the Match: Beth Buttimer
Teams:
Ireland
15. Robyn O’Connor, 14. Hannah Clarke, 13. Ellen Boylan, 12. Éabha Nic Dhonnacha, 11. Clara Barrett, 10. Kate Flannery, 9. May Goulding 1. Grainne Burke, 2. Beth Buttimer, 3. Sophie Barrett, 4. Ruth Campbell, 5. Aoibheann Hahessy, 6. Faith Oviawe, 7. Brianna Heylmann, 8. Jane Neill (captain)
16. Kelly Burke, 17. Hannah Wilson, 18. Lily Morris, 19. Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair, 20. Eadaoin Murtagh, 21. Jade Gaffney, 22. Ellie O’Sullivan-Sexton, 23. Chisom Ugwueru
Scotland
15 Izzy McGuire-Evans 14 Sky Phimister 13 Lucia Scott 12 Lucy Macrae 11 Hannah Walker (co-captain) 10 Ceitidh Ainsworth 9 Leia Brebner-Holden 1 Poppy Fletcher (co-captain) 2 Aila Ronald 3 Eilidh Fleming 4 Holland Bogan 5 Natasha Logan 6 Merryn Gunderson 7 Gemma Bell 8 Megan Hyland
16 Karis Craig 17 Chloe Brown 18 Poppy Clarkson 19 Lucy Christie 20 Sam Taganekurukuru 21 Lauryn Walker 22 Rhea Clarke 23 Hannah Ramsay
Italy v Wales
There was so much Italian rugby going on around the world (Cape Town, Fiji, Turin, Rome) that the publicists didn’t get round to announcing the Italian side till a starting XV appeared on rubgypass’ live screen. Even then, no mention of the bench.
Could Wales have won the game? Most certainly, but the line-out was a disaster area, wrong options were taken, and golden opportunities like a kick to the corner for a rolling maul went astray. The first two Welsh line-outs were overthrown. Why? Why not short, safe and simple? I wonder what Liza Burgess’ reaction was.
Italy wasted two chances through misplaced ambition, but it took Wales fifteen minutes to establish a threatening position in the hosts’ half. On the quarter mark the game turned around. Lucy Isaac made an enterprising break and No 1, Maisie Davies. forced her way over. Nel Metcalfe converted. 0-7
Wales were now on top. A low cross-kick by Hanna Marshall was knocked on by Rubina Emma Grassi near her own line. A quick tap by Seren Singleton caught defenders napping, and Davies was in for her second. 0-14
We had a repeat of events in the previous match, Italy getting over the line, but unable to ground the ball. Another raid halted as a Welsh player was held without the ball. What a waste!
But crucially Elena Errichiello got Italy’s first try just before the break. It was well deserved.
Half-time: Italy 5 Wales 14
From here things went downhill for Wales. We can certainly lay part of the blame on the weather conditions, but the visitors had spurned early chances to establish a bigger lead. The nine-point gap was to prove inadequate.
The Azzurrine were better able to confront the conditions, while the Welsh visibly faded. They fell off tackles, and the pack found it increasingly difficult to maintain the pace needed.
Vittoria Zenette scored her third try in three matches; Martina Busana added a third try, replacement Desiree Spinelli a fourth, before Metcalfe completed an enterprising move on the far right. Unfortunately for a rejoicing Welsh outfit, there was still just time for Greta Copat to add a final try to seal a comprehensive win, helping Italy to record an unbeaten series. Only France were to equal that.
Result Italy 33 Wales 19
Player of the Match: Giada Corradini
Teams:
Italy
15 Rubina Emma Grassi 14 Mihaela Pirpiliu 13 Sofia Catellani 12 Giada Corradini 11 Martina Busana 10 Sara Mannini 9 Alia Antonietta Bitonci 1 Vittoria Zenette 2 Silvia Fent (captain) 3 Antonalla Maione 4 Francesca Andreoli 5 Elletra Constantini 6 Luna Sacchi 7 Margherita Tonellotto 8 Elena Errichiello
16 Spinelli, 17 Cittadini, 18 Fortuna, 19 Della Sala, 20 Copat, 21 Mastrangelo, 22 Zeni, 23 Pellizzo
Wales
15 Eleanor Hing 14 Nel Metcalfe 13 Kelsie Webster 12 Jenna de Vera (co-captain) 11 Amy Williams 10 Hanna Marshall 9 Seren Singleton 1 Maisie Davies 2 Molly Wakley 3 Cadi Lois Davies 4 Erin Jones 5 Alaw Pyrs 6 Lily Terry 7 Lucy Isaac 8 Jess Rogers (co-captain)
16 Abi Meyrick 17 Cana Williams 18 Lowri Williams 19 Milly Summer 20 Catrin Stewart 21 Katie Bevans 22 Freya Bell 23 Savannah Picton Powell
Referee Rebecca Piddlesden (RFU)
