It was the hosts who started the brightest with a superb individual try from outside half Naomi Thomas who also added the conversion. With both sides consistently infringing at the breakdown, the rest of the half failed to produce the kind of rugby you would expect from these two sides. Instead it was left to the boot of Kelly McCallum to bring Canada back to within a point leading up to half time with a brace of penalties, narrowly missing a third after Wales flanker Jamie Kift was sin-binned.
With half time approaching Wales were left to rue a simple mistake that cost them the lead with the softest of tries. An innocuous clearance kick was allowed to bounce on the half way line, allowing the Canadian back line to send Julie Foster in at the corner. Wales made two changes at the break with Phillipa Tuttiett and Mared Evans coming on. Having impressed in the Development fixture Evans secured a place on the bench, coming on to win her first Senior cap.
Through their now customary belief and steely determination, Wales edged in front with two quick-fire penalties from Phillipa Tuttiett. Neither side looked like regaining their discipline and Canada’s Katie Murray tested the referee’s patience once too much and was sin-binned for killing the ball just as Wales looked like injecting some pace into the game. Tensions rose on both sides as the game threatened to boil over and the Canadians became increasingly frustrated at their inability to score any further points. Canada continued to ruin the game, killing the ball at every chance possible, and were soon reduced to thirteen as Dawn McDonald headed to the sin bin.
Phillipa Tuttiett added her third penalty with four minutes remaining to send Wales five points clear and secure their second win over Canada. Having beaten yet another team who will be heading to IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup later this year, Wales further cemented themselves as one of the top teams in the world on their recent results. With a good mix of youth and experience, led by the outstanding Mel Berry, the future looks very promising for Wales as they look to build for the next World Cup.
Wales
Elen Evans (Mared Evans; Amy Day); Rhian Williams (Philippa Tuttiett); Louise Rickard; Rachel Poolman; Naomi Thomas;Â Mel Berry;Â Amy Broadstock (Louise Horgan);Â Rhian Bowden (Claire Horgan);Â Jenny Davies;Â Liza Burgess;Â Claire Donovan (Rachel Brown);Â Catrina Nicholas;Â Jamie Kift;Â Kylie Wilson
Subs Unused: Vikki Gaylard
