Wallaroos claim silverware in Cape Town

MATCH REPORT: Australia inflicted a first-ever WXV 2 defeat on Scotland to secure the second-level title with a thrilling 31-22 victory at Athlone Sports Stadium.

The Wallaroos raced into a 21-0 lead in the finale in Cape Town and secured the win despite trailing 21-22 with 10 minutes to go as the defending champions finished the match with 13 players.

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Wallaroos wing Desiree Miller continued her fine form to score the opening try in the 12th minute, taking a pass from fellow wing Maya Stewart on halfway and racing away to touch down.

Stewart wasn’t going to be outdone and got on the scoresheet less than six minutes later, fending off opposite number Coreen Grant to score in the right corner.

The Wallaroos were flying and a brilliant grubber kick from Faitala Moleka found Cecilia Smith to dot down their third try with less than 22 minutes on the clock.

Moleka added her third conversion to take Australia’s lead to 21-0.

However, Leah Bartlett burrowed over just before the half-hour mark to get Scotland on the scoreboard and after Siokapesi Palu was sent to the sinbin, Chloe Rollie added a second try.

That made the score 21-12 at the break, and it was the defending champions who struck first in the second half as replacement prop Anne Young went over.

Lisa Thomson missed her second conversion, though, to leave her side four points adrift and Scotland were sapped of further momentum midway through the second half as Emma Orr was shown a yellow card that was upgraded to red.

Remarkably, it was Scotland who scored next though as Francesca McGhie went over after a number of phases to give her side the lead for the first time.

Nelson missed a tough conversion to leave the Scottish lead at one point before McGhie was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, leaving her side with only 13 players.

Moleka kicked a penalty to nudge her side back in front before Ashley Marsters went over from close range in the final play.

The scorers:

For Scotland:
Tries: Bartlett, Rollie, Young, McGhie
Con: Nelson

For Australia:
Tries: Miller, Stewart, Smith, Masters
Cons: Moleka 4
Pen: Moleka

Red card: Emma Orr (Scotland, 60′)

Yellow cards: Siokapesi Palu (Australia, 31′); Francesca McGhie (Scotland, 72′)

Teams:

Scotland Women: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Coreen Grant, 13 Emma Orr, 12 Lisa Thomson, 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Leia Brebner-Holden, 8 Evie Gallagher, 7 Rachel McLachlan, Rachel Malcolm (captain), 6 5 Sarah Bonar, 4 Eva Donaldson, 3 Elliane Clarke, 2 Lana Skeldon, 1 Leah Bartless.
Replacements: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Anne Young, 18 Christine Belisle, 19 Louise McMillan, 20 Jade Konkel, 21 Caity Mattinson, 22 Meryl Smith, 23 Lucia Scott.

Australia Women: 15 Catilyn Halse, 14 Maya Stewart, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 12 Cecilia Smith, 11 Desiree Miller, 10 Faitala Moleka, 9 Layne Morgan, 8 Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 7 Ashley Marsters, 6 Siokapesi Palu, 5 Michaela Leonard, 4 Kaitlan Leaney, 3 Eva Karpani, 2 Tania Naden, 1 Bridle O’Gorman.
Replacements: 16 Tiarna Molloy, 17 Sally Fuesaina, 18 Alapeta Ngauamo, 19 Atasi Lafai, 20 Lucy Dinnen, 21 Samantha Wood, 22 Trilleen Pomare, 23 Lori Cramer.

Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
Assistant referees: Zoe Naude (South Africa) & Aneka Fick (South Africa)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)