Eagles take hard-fought win over Scotland in Edinburgh

A close contest at DAM Health Stadium in Edinburgh saw the USA earning a hard-fought 21-17 victory over Scotland. Both teams were keen to play expansive rugby as they build towards the World Cup, and put on an entertaining spectacle for their appreciative audience.

The opening minutes were all Scotland. They pinned the Eagles in their end and the pressure was relentless until earning an attacking lineout. When the drive came on there was no stopping it and Lana Skeldon took the credit for the try, with the conversion coming from Helen Nelson.

Alev Kelter responded with a penalty goal to get the USA on the board, and they would soon take the lead. Eti Haungatau’s fend and offload put Scotland on the retreat and after several phases Hope Rogers picked to an unguarded short side to find the line.

There was an immediate response from the home side. The US backline left too much space for Rhona Lloyd out wide and the flyer stepped past Kelter to sprint into the corner for a classic winger’s finish. Nelson was inch-perfect with the kick to make it 14-8 to Scotland.

Cantorna made amends for an earlier conversion miss with a three-pointer to close the gap. Kelter won a turnover after an effective chip-and-chase from Katana Howard. Jennine Detiveaux powered ahead and nearly made it, and through Kate Zackary crossed the line she was held-up by the desperate defense.

A scrum decision went to the Scots and they were able to clear their lines, but it was only a stay of execution. Lotte Clapp made ground on the left side and then it was swung wide right to Zackary who this time fended her way free to put the Eagles back in the lead. Before halftime arrived, however, it was snatched back by Nelson with her third successful kick at goal.

Early in the second half a Hannah Smith run had American alarm bells ringing but the defense closed in to shut down the attack. Then Zackary broke from her own end to well inside Scottish territory. Hallie Taufo’ou looked to be over but a last-ditch tackle saw her knock-on in the act of diving over the line.

Replacements began to stream into the match which disrupted the flow somewhat. A Scottish advance was repelled and at the other end the US pack piled in until Rogers went over from short range for a double. Kelter couldn’t land the conversion but the visitors were back in the lead.

A flowing attack from the Eagles nearly finished the job but Clapp was driven into touch just before the line by a flying Chloe Rollie. Scotland regained possession and threatened as the clock ticked over full-time, but a knock-on brought a close to proceedings.

The USA are straight back into action next week as they take on the world’s best team England in Exeter. Scotland will turn their attention to Spain who arrive in Edinburgh in two weeks time.

 

SCORING

SCOTLAND 17
Tries – L. Skeldon (6′), R. Lloyd (18′)
Cons – H. Nelson 2/2 (7′, 19′)
Pens – H. Nelson 1/1 (40’+1′)

USA 21
Tries – H. Rogers 2 (15′, 62′), K. Zackary (37′)
Cons – G. Cantorna 0/2, A. Kelter 0/1
Pens – A. Kelter 1/1 (12′), G. Cantorna 1/1 (24′)

 

TEAMS

SCOTLAND
1 Molly Wright (17 Leah Bartlett 51′), 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Christine Belisle (18 Elliann Clark 51′), 4 Emma Wassell, 5 Sarah Bonar, 6 Rachel Malcolm (capt.), 7 Louise McMillan (19 Rachel McLachlan HT {16 Elis Martin 55′}), 8 Evie Gallagher (20 Jake Konkel HT), 9 Caity Mattinson (21 Mairi McDonald 60′), 10 Helen Nelson (22 Meryl Smith 60′), 11 Hannah Smith (23 Shona Campbell 71′), 12 Lisa Thomson, 13 Emma Orr, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 15 Chloe Rollie

USA
1 Hope Rogers (17 Catie Benson 71′), 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Nick James (18 Charli Jacoby 63′), 4 Hallie Taufo’ou, 5 Jenny Kronish (19 Evi Ashenbrucker 58′), 6 Jordan Matyas (20 Georgie Perris-Redding 71′), 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Olivia Ortiz (21 Carly Waters 71′), 10 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Lotte Clapp, 12 Katana Howard (23 Tess Feury 63′), 13 Eti Haungatau (22 Meya Bizer 58′), 14 Jennine Detiveaux, 15 Alev Kelter

Not used: 16 Jett Hayward

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland)
Assistants: Hollie Davidson (Scotland) & Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)