POINTS FOR POOLMAN AS WALES DEFEAT SCOTS
On arriving at the original scheduled venue, Pontypridd RFC, Scotland deemed the pitch unplayable and the fixture was moved at the very last minute, with the kick-off pushed back to 8.15pm.
Undeterred by the venue change, Wales looked sharp from 1 to 15 right from the outset, steeling Scotland’s first line-out and making back-line breaks. Naomi Thomas made some superb kicking decisions to keep Wales on the front foot. With Captain Mel Berry starting at 9, Jamie Kift filled the openside spot, putting in an outstanding performance, tackling and jackaling to continually spoil Scottish possession.
Five minutes in, Captain Mel Berry made a break from a wheeled scrum, kicking and chasing from just inside the opposition half, only to be denied just short by the scrambled Scotland defence.
Debutant Rhian Bowden was binned on the 6th minute for sacking, with Claire Donovan following for the same offence 8 minutes later. Despite losing two members of the pack, Wales kept their strength, utilising wing Louise Rickard’s flanking skills.
With Donovan and Bowden back on, Wales picked up the pace towards the end of the half. A Berry, Kift, Thomas and Rickard movement took the latter close to the line, with some effective recycling allowing Wales to sniff the line again, until a defender knocked the ball down.
Wales used the opportunity of a penalty to take the quick tap, with prop Louise Horgan releasing Rachel Poolman to cross in the corner for her second try in as many games. Non Evans was unsuccessful with a difficult kick on the touchline and Wales went in for the break, 5-0 up.
A second half stalemate followed, with neither side putting any points on the board. Scotland’s Rimma Petlevannaya made a strong break from just inside the half way line, but was brought down just short by Evans. The Scots recycled the ball and threatened again, only to be kept out by a strong Welsh defence and Rickard’s try-saving tackle despite a 3 on 1 attack.
Wales had a stoppage time chance to add another 3 points, but Evans kick floated just wide.
Thanks go to University of Glamorgan for hosting the fixture at the last minute.
Wales
Amy Broadstock (Claire Horgan), Rhian Bowden (Dawn Mason), Louise Horgan, Claire Donovan (Rachel Brown), Liza Burgess, Catrina Nicholas, Jamie Kift, Kylie Wilson, Mel Berry, Naomi Thomas, Rachel Poolman, Clare Flowers, Rhian Williams, Louise Rickard, Non Evans.
Jenny Davies, Amy Day, Elen Evans, Philippa Tuttiett
