With ice in her veins, the veteran full-back knocked over a penalty four minutes into added time to condemn the Six Nations favourites to a 16-15 defeat at Maes Gywn at Taffs Well.
It proved a game of contrasts with the speed and guile of Wales up against the powerful England pack. But not only was the victory thoroughly deserved, Wales are now firmly on course to qualify for next year’s World Cup automatically.
Wales made all the early running, taking the game to the bigger England pack. Experienced fullback Non Evans and winger Alison Wright combined well down the right hand touchline on a couple of occasions to stretch the English defence but the visitors managed to keep their line intact.
Centre Rachel Poolman cut through the midfield like a hot knife through butter but Victoria Massarella brought her down with a telling tackle.
England, who had destroyed Italy last week, were finding Wales a much tougher proposition. Rhian Bowden forced her way over from close range but referee Cammy Rudkin ruled that she hadn’t grounded the ball. From the resulting 5m scrum, Wales went blind but Wright was bundled into touch.
Wales continued to apply all the pressure but were finding points hard to come by. Eventually in the 13th minute Evavns knocked over a penalty to give Wales a deserving 3-0 lead.
That was soon cancelled out when England scored against the run of play. Wales skipper Mellissa Berry made a break but as she was about to pass the ball popped up for winger Fiona Pocock to run to the try-line unhindered. With Katy McLean adding the conversion, England had gone to a 3-7 lead.
Wales continued to impress with their phase play and got their just reward in the 29th minute. England were penalised close to the line and quick thinking by Berry saw her take a quick tap penalty to surge over the line for Wales to regain the lead.
However four minutes from the break England showed their clinical prowess when centre Emily Scarratt scooted around the Welsh rearguard to give the favourites an 8-12 halftime lead.
After missing a long range shot Evans then hit the upright with a shorter shot as Wales tried doggedly to get the upper hand.
Wales sensed their chance when Scarratt was sin-binned for a professional foul. Berry called for a lineout which saw quick ball for Naomi Thomas to pop the ball to Evans who was just stopped inched short of the line. However the home fans didn’t have long to wait before having something to shout about.
The ball was spread wide for replacement winger Aimee Young to score in the corner to put Wales 13-12 ahead.
England then applied the blowtorch but Wales defiantly kept them at bay. England battered away at the Welsh tryline but Berry’s side put their bodies on t he line to deny the championship favourites.
England looked to have stolen the spoils in the last minute of a riveting game when McLean sent a penalty between the uprights.
But the plucky Welsh side refused to accept another defeat to their arch rivals and battered away at the arch enemy.
Four minutes into extra time Wales stormed into the English 22. Eventually the English offended at a ruck to give Evans the chance of creating history. It was appropriate that one of the most loyal servants of the womens game in Wales knocked over the penalty in her own unfussy way to send the champagne corks popping.
