Chalmers’ Sister Downs Ireland
Three Paula Chalmers penalties saw the Irish Women’s side fall to a 9-0 defeat at the hands of Scotland in Meath on Friday night.
…Ireland number 8 Joy Neville – went close to scoring a try late on against Scotland…
Three Paula Chalmers penalties saw the Irish Women’s side fall to a 9-0 defeat at the hands of Scotland in Meath on Friday night.
WOMEN’S 6 NATIONS: Friday, March 10
IRELAND WOMEN 0 SCOTLAND WOMEN 9, Navan RFC
Scorers: Scotland: Pens: Paula Chalmers 3
The younger sister of former Scottish out-half Craig Chalmers landed kicks after 5, 39 and 60 minutes to beat the hosts in the first ever Women’s international to take place at Navan RFC.
Ireland, who have never beaten Scotland in the Women’s 6 Nations, trailed 6-0 at the break. Blackrock’s Grace Davitt had a shot at goal on the half-hour but her effort faded to the left. Hands in the ruck saw Scotland lose replacement Claire Muir to a yellow card, two minutes into the second half, but the Irish could not take advantage.
Out-half and captain Sarah Jane Belton pushed a penalty shot wide. Disaster struck when Irish centre Patrique Kelly was sent to the sin-bin for being offside at a ruck. The resultant penalty was slotted over by scrum half and captain Chalmers and although the Scots lost centre Rimma Petlevannaya and another replacement Lynne Reid to the bin in the final quarter, they held on for the win.
Trojans centre Lynne Cantwell and number eight Joy Neville of Shannon both went close to scoring tries late on for Ireland, who take on England next Saturday (March 18) (Old Albanians RFC, 3.00pm). Cantwell was just five metres from the line when succumbing to an ankle tap tackle, while a low-slung pass from the usually reliable Tania Rosser did not do Neville any favours close to the Scottish line in the right corner.
IRELAND WOMEN: Joanne O’Sullivan (Lichfield); Nuala Ni Chadhain (Galwegians), Lynne Cantwell (Trojans), Patrique Kelly (UL Bohemians), Grace Davitt (Blackrock); Sarah Jane Belton (UL Bohemians) (capt), Tania Rosser (Blackrock); Fiona Coughlan (UL Bohemians) (vice-captain), Jean Lonergan (Shannon), Marie Barrett (Highfield), Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemians), Germaine Healy (Blackrock), Orla Brennan (Blackrock), Rachel Boyd (Cooke), Joy Neville (Shannon).
Replacements: Gillian McAllister (Cooke), Rosie Foley (Shannon), Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock), Sinead Ryan (Navan), Louise Beamish (UL Bohemians), Amanda Greensmith (Shannon), Suzanne Fleming (Cooke).
SCOTLAND WOMEN: Lucy Millard (Murrayfield Wanderers); Chris Ovenden (Richmond), Rimma Petlevannaya (Murrayfield Wanderers), Veronica Fitzpatrick (RHC), Lynsey Douglas (Worcester); Mary Pat Tierney (Watsonians), Paula Chalmers (Murrayfield Wanderers) (capt); Karen Findlay (Richmond), Iona Frickleton (Watsonians), Gillian McCord (Watsonians), Lindsay Wheeler (Watsonians), Sarah Mee (Watsonians), Susie Brown (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Donna Kennedy (Worcester), Shona Watt (Supermarine).
Replacements: Victoria Wiseman (Richmond), Lynne Reid (RHC), Claire Muir (Richmond), Beth Macleod (Murrayfield Wanderers), Louise Dalgliesh (RHC), Claire Cruikshank (Murrayfield Wanderers), Sara Mears (Watsonians).
Referee: Phil Connett (Wales)