Squad Announcement
Scotland Women U20s participated in the inaugural 6N Summer Series competition this month, seeing national teams from Scotland, France, Italy, England, Ireland and Wales compete in a 14-day tournament in Parma.
A staggering 6 Stirling players were selected for the squad:
Ceitidh Ainsworth
Holland Bogan
Chloe Brown
Eilidh Fleming
Sky Phimister
Sam Taganekurukuru
All of these players were involved in Stirling’s historic Premiership final victory against Watsonians last December, no doubt their performances in the league putting them on Scotland’s radar. These players were also selected for the first–ever Celtic Challenge at the start of the year. Ainsworth, Bogan, Brown, Fleming and Phimister were included in the Glasgow Warriors squad, while Taganekurukuru went East with Edinburgh Rugby.
Match 1 - Italy vs Scotland
5 County girls were selected for the first match against Italy. Ainsworth, Bogan, Fleming and Phimister were all in the starting XV, with Brown lining up on the bench. Taganekurukuru was unavailable for the first match.
Italy took an early lead, scoring off of a rolling maul to take the score to 7-0, but Scotland quickly answered back with a penalty kick to make it 7-3.
Excellent breaks were made by Phimister and Bogan, but the Italian defence held strong.
The lead was switching hands rapidly in the first half, with more tries and penalties coming from both sides. Former Stirling players Nicole Flynn and Lucy MacRae both made it on the score sheet for Scotland. Half time saw Scotland hold a narrow lead of 12-13.
Phimister was a standout player in the second half, showing her pace as she flew down the wing. Ainsworth led a strong attack from Scotland, with big carries coming from Bogan and Brown.
Phimister saw a chance to score a match winner, kicking the ball up the wing and chasing hard, but it just tumbled out of bounds in the 81st minute to see the hosts snatch the win.
A very promising first performance for Scotland, with 2 matches still to come.
FT: 17-13 to Italy
Match 2 - Scotland vs France
All 6 County players were selected for the matchday 23 against France. Brown, Taganekurukuru and Phimister in the starting XV, with Fleming, Bogan and Ainsworth on the bench. Unfortunately, Brown suffered an ankle injury that forced her off the pitch after just 3 minutes. A separate injury saw Bogan come off the bench to join the pack at the same time.
Hard carries came from Bogan and Taganekurukuru in the first 10 minutes to take Scotland into the French 22. Relentless phases saw Scotland drive under the posts for the first score of the match, 7-0.
Fleming came on at the 10 minute mark to replace an injured Scotland prop, the physicality and hot conditions taking an early toll.
Scottish defence held strong for a good while, but France fight through to bring the score 7-5 after 20 minutes.
A quick French attack saw them score another to take the lead, but a try-saving tackle from Phimister forces the knock–on that prevents their third. But the French bounce back quickly to score another 2 before half time, 7-26 going into the break.
Scotland come out the blocks fighting in the second half, MacRae scoring a penalty right away to add 3 points to the tally. France answer back with 2 more tries to take the score to 10-40 after 50 minutes.
Fleming was forced off the pitch with an ankle injury 10 minutes into the second half. With Scotland having no more props to replace her, the game resorts to uncontested scrums and Scotland have to drop to 14 players with 30 minutes to go.
Ainsworth comes on in the 60th minute to try and light up the Scottish attack.
But France are relentless. Powering through the Scottish defence time and time again for a full time score of 10-69.
A tough day at the office for Scotland.
Match 3 - Ireland vs Scotland
All 6 County players involved once again for the final test against Ireland. Phimister, Ainsworth, Fleming and Bogan all in the starting line up, with Taganekurukuru and Brown on the bench. Phimister one of the few players to secure a starting place in every match of the festival.
It’s an energetic opening few minutes, both teams eager to secure their first win of the series in this final match day. Possession switches hands about 10 times in the first 5 minutes before Ireland power through to open the scoring. 7-0.
A cracking break from Fleming sees her make a good 20 metres to take Scotland up to the Irish 22 for the first time. Scotland play through the phases, Ainsworth leading the attack. Ainsworth and Bogan both find space to take Scotland to within 5 metres, but the Irish defence snatches a penalty on the line.
Ainsworth does well to hold up the ball and prevent an Irish try, but she’s shortly carried off the pitch with a lower leg injury.
Ireland extend their lead with a penalty shot at goal, taking the score to 10-0 after 20 minutes.
Scotland show an energetic fight back to the Irish line, but the Ireland defence holds them up and kicks to send Scotland back to the half way. Scottish defence holds well, Ireland can’t get across the line. But they win another penalty in front of the posts to extend their lead to 13-0 after 30 minutes.
More big hits from Scotland, Phimister defends her wing well and Bogan shows excellent line speed to hold off the Irish attack.
Taganekurukuru comes on after 30 minutes and makes a big first carry. The Scotland attack looks lively as they search to get on the score board before half time. Bogan makes another clean break to take Scotland up to the Irish 22. Fleming darts across the try line but an Irish hand under the ball prevents the score. Scotland use their width and manage to steal a try in the last minute of the half. It’s 13-7 at half time.
Ireland come out the blocks firing, but the Scottish defence holds them up over the line. That’s 5 tries in 45 minutes that have been prevented, strong defence from both sides. Brown comes on to make an impact at the 45 minute mark.
Ireland are first on the scoreboard in the second half, a rolling maul seeing them dot it down in the corner after 50 minutes. Little mistakes from Scotland give Ireland the ball and they get another shortly after, extending their lead to 18 points. 25-7 at the 60” water break.
Ireland come straight back at it to score their third try of the half, 30-7 after 65 minutes. Brown goes off with an injury before play restarts.
Scotland are shown a yellow card after repeated infringements, they’ll see out this game with only 14 on the pitch. The Irish take the opportunity and score again under the posts. 37-7 with 7 minutes to play.
It’s another hard day for Scotland, the players give 110%, but it’s not quite enough to stop Ireland taking the win.
FT: 35-7
Whilst the scorelines didn’t go Scotland’s way, the young team did show some promising performances that can be built upon to improve. The Stirling girls played brilliantly, with Holland Bogan’s performances earning her a call-up into the senior Scotland Women’s squad ahead of their games at Hive Stadium in September. Big things to come from this group.