Rollie helps Scots to victory over Spain

By Harry Scott-Munro
20/9/21

It was Exeter Chiefs full-back Chloe Rollie who earnt the interclub bragging rights, as her Scotland side dug in to earn a 27-22 victory over Spain, which keeps her side in contention for a qualifying spot for RWC 2021.

After Ireland had beaten Italy earlier in the afternoon, Scotland knew that anything other than a victory would effectively end their hopes of qualification.

For Spanish pair Laura Delgado and Patricia Garcia, their side were full of confidence having stunned Ireland in the opening round. With the Irish having secured an eight-point victory over the Italians, any sort of victory for the Spanish would have left them in the driving seat heading into the final round on Saturday.

It took less than two minutes for the Spanish to strike, Amaia Erbina profiting off the back of a well-executed set-piece move to score under the posts, Garcia converting.

Scotland though, struck twice in as many minutes midway through the first half to wrestle the lead away from Spain. First, winger Rhona Lloyd dotted down off the back of a pinpoint Helen Nelson pass, before Lisa Thomson latched onto the restart, feeding Megan Gaffney to score, with the Scottish player having just enough pace to evade the attempted tackle of Garcia.

Spain lost full-back Lea Ducher to injury soon afterwards, but responded superbly, as Marga Rodriguez came up with the try that put them back in front.

The Spanish were in an attacking mood and found a third try when a stunning offload from Erbina close to the Scottish try-line gave María García the ground the ball, opening up a seven-point lead.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Scottish flyhalf Nelson darted over the whitewash, to leave things finely poised.

Paula Requena was also shown yellow for an infringement in the build-up to Nelson’s try and, as the second half started, the Scottish fly-half slotted a penalty to edge her side into a 1-point lead.

With Requena back on the field, Garcia slotted a well-struck penalty to retake the lead, but Spanish ill-discipline would prove to be their downfall.

Monica Castelo was shown a yellow card for a high tackle with just over 20 minutes to play and Scotland used the player advantage to perfection, Rachel McLachlan crashing over from close range.

Spain did have a final opportunity themselves but, with the try-line begging, a misplaced pass followed by a breakdown penalty meant that the Scots held on.

It means that all four side’s go into the final round of matches level on five points in the hunt for a qualification place. Spain face Italy in their final match (2pm,) with Scotland taking on Ireland (5pm,) all four side’s knowing that victory will see them secure a qualifying repechage slot at the very least.