Butchers helps Wales Women beat Scotland

Alisha Butchers: Grabbed a try on her second cap

WALES WOMEN overcame a plucky Scotland side to record a 23-10 victory at the Gnoll to secure their first scalp of the 2016 Six Nations campaign.

Number 8 Sioned Harries, who was a constant threat with ball in hand, scored a try in the seventh minute and created another for centre Hannah Jones just before the break to give Wales a slender 15-10 lead at halftime.

With the wind behind them for the second spell, Wales spread the ball well but had to wait until back row Alisha Butchers crashed over in the 57th minute to finally repel the challenge of Scotland.

Both teams were eager to secure their first win after losing their opening match of this year’s championship. Scotland weren’t afraid to spread the ball wide while Wales also looked to attack at every opportunity to give a large crowd plenty to shout about.

Harries, back in her preferred position after switching from the second row, gave Wales a perfect start after pouncing from the back of a driving maul to dive over. Centre Robyn Wilkins slotted an excellent conversion to put Wales 7-3 ahead after hooker Lana Skeldon had put Scotland in front with a penalty.

Megan Gaffney then stretched over in the corner, and with Skeldon adding an excellent conversion, the match was tied up at 10-10 until Harries off-loaded a pass in a tackle to Jones who sprinted clear to put Wales 15-10 in front at the break.

However the Wales went from strength to strength in the second half and Butchers’ try with just over 20 minutes remaining ensured Scotland’s six-year wait for a victory in the championship continues.

Captain Carys Phillips was delighted with the win in her first game leading the side.

“We’re really pleased to get the win against what was a very good Scotland side. The game was evenly balanced at halftime but we kept our composure and we got the rewards,” said Phillips.

“We now have two weeks to look ahead to France who are one of the best teams in the world. Hopefully we will have another big crowd to spur us on where we know we will have to front up and play to the best of our ability to get a positive result.”