Scotland end the year on a high

from Scrumqueens:

Scotland picked up their first win of the year in a comfortable away victory in Holland. Five tries helped Karen Findlay’s charges to a 33-10 victory in Amsterdam with four players winning their first caps in a successful overseas outing as the Scots prepare for next year’s Six Nations.

All of Scotland’s scores came from their wide players, with two tries for winger Lauren Harris, one for fullback Steph Johnston and one for debutant wing Sarah Dixon. Centre Caroline Collie added the extras with the boot.

Findlay said: “It’s just a great day. I’m absolutely delighted for the girls. After putting in so much hard work over the summer, we came out today and showed the rugby we’re capable of playing.”

It took just three minutes for the first Scottish points to be posted as a break from flanker Ruth Slaven, with Johnston in support was finished off by debut cap, Dixon. Though the conversion attempt skewed right of the posts, centre Caroline Collie’s next kick was on target, the penalty on 10 minutes putting the Scots ahead, 8-0.

The home side immediately fought back but Scotland countered the attack and defended solidly; a series of pick-and-goes culminated, however, in the Dutch touching down after 15 minutes, the try from flanker Yasmin Gunner to make it 5-8.

Within five minutes the Scots had effectively cancelled out that score with another try, this time from full back Johnston. With the Netherlands penalised for a knock-on, Collie booted the ball into touch near the Dutch 22. Good hands and solid teamwork saw Johnston go on to cross in the corner.

With the Scots continuing to put in some great tackles, on the half-hour mark a great run from Collie and an offload to winger Lauren Harris led to the first of her two tries, the extras successfully. Five minute later an offside against the Dutch gave Collie the chance to add a further three points, the penalty slotted successfully giving the Scots a 23-5 lead at half time.

Four changes for the home side going into the second half did nothing to deter Scotland’s efforts and with four minutes gone, Johnston scored her second try to extend the lead to 28-5.

The backs then took advantage of a gap in Dutch proceedings and Harris shot through to score her second try, with 20 minutes left on the clock putting the Scots 31-5 ahead.

Both side maintained the pressure and speed in the final ten minutes, with Johnston putting in a great try-saving tackle; in the last minute, however, the Dutch took advantage of a lapse in the Scots’ defence for a try through substitute Nicole Misseldine to make the final score 33-10.

Scotland: Stephanie Johnston (RHC), Lauren Harris (Melrose), Caroline Collie (OA Saints), Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Sarah Dixon (Stirling County), Lisa Ritchie (Carlisle), Sarah Sexton (Murrayfield Wanderers), Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordanhill), Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), Tracy Balmer (Worcester) (captain), Katherine Muir (Richmond), Anna Swan (RHC), Charlotte Veale (Wasps), Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers, Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond)

Substitutes, Alison Macdonald (RHC) (on for Quick, 68m), Suzanne McKerlie-Hex (Murrayfield Wanderers) (on for Lockhart, 60m), Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead / Jordanhill) (on for Muir, 52m), Lana Skeldon (Melrose) (on for Veale, 52m), Tess Forsberg (Richmond) (on for Slaven, 72m), Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers) (on for Collie, 58m), Megan Gaffney (Murrayfield Wanderers) (on for Harris, 68m)

Netherlands Women
1. Xandra Benthem de Grave, RUS (captain)
2. Eva van Asseldonk,  NRC The Wasps
3. Sylke Haverkorn, RC Zwolle
4. Selina Tukker, RFC Haarlem
5. Asia Udding, RUS
6. Yael Belder, NRC the Wasps
7. Yasmin Gunner, RC The Bassets
8. Shereza Pool, SRC Thor
9. Giselle Kleinen, RC The Bassets
10. Anita Clarke, Amsterdamse AC
11. Fenna Stomps, RUS
12. Carin van der Heiden, RC The Bassets
13. Lyske van der Brug, SRC Thor
14. Alexia Mavroudis, RC Eemland
15. Elizabeth Geertsema, Amsterdamse AC

16. Hadewijch van Hilten, RUS
17. Nicole Misseldine, AAC
18. Sarah Toll, AAC
19. Maaike Loth, RC Waterland
20. Roos Van Beurden, RUS
21. Mae-Ling Stuyt, RC Eemland
22. Irith Lely, SRC Thor (not used)

Referee: Claire Daniels (RFU)
Assistant referees: Gert Visser and Darron Wadey (NED)
4th official: Thomas Muldoon (NED)
Match commissioner: Freek Burger (SARFU)

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