Scotland came out on top in their final preparation match before
Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 with a 20-15 victory over Ireland
in a training game involving two 20 minute periods and one
40-minute half at Lasswade on Sunday.
Ireland had ended the first 'half' with a 10-0
advantage after Amy Davis and Eliza Downey crossed in the 20-minute
periods, but with both coaches mixing around their teams it was
Scotland who ran in three tries in the final 40 minutes to come out
on top.
Celia Hawthorn crossed for Scotland's first try after
only eight minutes, quickly followed by another from Louise
Dalgliesh to level the scores at 10-10. Nicola Halfpenny added the
conversion before scoring her first try for her country.
Halfpenny added a penalty before Nora Stapleton crossed for
Ireland's third try of the game, the first under new Irish
coach Phillip Doyle, who took over from Kevin West last month,
having previously coached the team at the last World Cup in Canada.
"We played well today - that was probably the most
complete performance from start to finish that I've seen from
this team," admitted Scotland coach Gary Parker afterwards.
"We've asked a lot of the players over the last six
months and have really worked hard on improving the fitness and
intensity of the play, but also to increase the players' game
knowledge.
"Today in particular the decision making in the scrum,
lineout and breakdown was excellent."
While Parker and his players now look forward to kicking off
Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 by facing Canada in the opening
match at Surrey Sports Park on 20 August, Ireland have a another
game lined up against Wales on 1 August.
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