Scotland, building upon their momentum from their first day win over Spain, won their second match up of the tournament today against Kazakhstan 32-17.
The match opened with a strong back and forth battle between both teams, with neither wanting to take control of the match. Early infringements cost Kazakhstan as Scotland’s scrum half Paula Chalmers converted two early penalties. The speed of Kazahkstan’s back line kept them in the match, and eventually paved the way for winger Irina Amossova to speed in for the opening try.
With a kick up field, and a quick burst of speed, Scotland centre Chris Ovenden was able to beat Kazakhstan’s defence to the ball, and score Scotland’s first try of the match, converted by Chalmers to make the score 13-5 at half time.
Rimma Petlevannaya scored for Scotland early in the second half to extend her team’s lead before Lucy Millard looked to have put the game beyond Kazakhstan.
But, as the half drew to a close, two quick tries by Kazakhstan substitute Akkumys Duzelbayeva and number 8 Anna Yakovleva got their team back within striking distance. With only injury time remaining and seven points down, Kazakhstan continued to attack, only to see Scotland’s right wing Rhona Shepherd, in her 50th cap, score in the last seconds of the match to put the game out of reach.
In the end, it was a fantastic match played by both teams. The competition stayed strong until the very end of the match, with Scotland eventually pulling out the all important bonus point win.
Quotes
Scotland Number 14, Rhona Shepherd: “It was a tougher victory than the first win. We were not as clinical as we would have liked to be, but we have done almost everything we would have liked to do in the match.”