Wales cruised to an 18-15 victory over Scotland in their return to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in a close match in Whangarei on Sunday.
In a closely contested encounter, Wales substitute Keira Bevan won her side’s game by scoring a penalty after the full-time whistle sounded.
Scotland will kick themselves as they have done well to be competitive for long stretches but failed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities with bad kicks leading to their downfall.
Alisha Butchers opened the scoring for Wales in the sixth minute, crashing in a try converted by Eleanor Snownsill, who also added a penalty after 13 minutes.
Scotland started to grow in the game and finally crossed the line in the 29th minute thanks to a try from Lara Skeldon from the back of the maul.
Wales, however, would have the last laugh before half-time, with Kayleigh Powell completing a fine striking move to give her side a boost before the break.
A Wales yellow card for Cara Hope opened the door for Scotland, who obliged thanks to winger Megan Gaffney’s unconverted try.
After a long defensive effort, it was Gaffney who completed his double with the missed conversion again with the imprecision from the tee that proved costly that day.
Strong win for Canada
Canada began their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign with a solid 41-5 win over Japan in their tournament opener.
Winger Paige Farries beat Canada after just two minutes for an unconverted try before Japanese second line Make Takano scored his own try just three minutes later.
Canada responded again, scoring a converted try by hooker Emily Tuttosi, which was converted by scrum-half Briana Miller, who also crossed the line 16 minutes before halftime.
Tuttosi and Miller added another try each before halftime to give Canada a solid 27-5 lead at the break.
The whore took just 10 minutes into the second half to strike again as she netted a hat-trick before her seventh try was scored by substitute Mikiela Nelson, including conversions from captain Sophie De Goede for both last tests.
Italy vs USA
Italy also got off to a promising start to their World Cup campaign by claiming a 22-10 win over the United States in their opener.
USA started well, with second row Hallie Taufoou crashing out for an unconverted try early in the clash.
The Italians were slow to come out of the blocks but grew in the clash and scored a converted try through full-back Ostuni Minuzzi to take a 7-5 half-time lead.
Winger Aura Muzzo was on hand for Italy in the 50th minute as they attempted an unconverted try before American second line Jenny Kronish netted her second try of the test.
Late in the game, Muzzo completed his brace with a sparkling run as Maria Magatti stepped in to score Italy’s bonus points try.
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