XV-a-Side rugby column: Record crowd at Murrayfield but Red Roses put on a show
Here is this week’s XV-a-Side column, created in partnership with Rugby Memories Scotland.
WEEKLY TEASERS
Last week’s player was Kenny Logan. And it was TRUE, Kenny started out with his local side Stirling County.
WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS
The good news was that a Scottish record crowd for a single sport women’s event of 30,498 filed into Murrayfield to see Scotland take on world champions England. The Red Roses had looked slightly rusty in their 33-12 home win over Ireland on the previous Saturday, but they showed their strength and physical power by hammering Scotland 84-7.
It was a much-changed England team, but they were totally ruthless in their twelve-tries win. This was their 35th consecutive Test victory and they were simply too strong and powerful for the home side. Captain Rachel Malcolm described it as a “baptism of fire” for Scotland and the gap in class was obvious.
Another record was set in Galway when a 9,206 crowd saw Ireland beat Italy 57-20 at Connacht’s revamped Dexcom Stadium. Galway-born Beibhinn Parsons scored a hat-trick of tries in an emphatic win, but a brave Italian side managed a bonus point.
Wales were well beaten 38-7 by a good French side and must be fearful of their next game at Bristol against England. There were some grounds for optimism after holding the French to 7-7 at the break, but they failed to take advantage of a nine-minute period against 13 players.
The improved attendances at the Women’s Six Nations are to be welcomed, but the gap in resources and playing squads is vast. If attendances are to be increased, there will have to be more competition between teams to ensure more attractive contests.
FIXTURE CARD
Grangemouth 1s play Dundee Rugby 2s away, while the 2s play Rosyth Sharks in a rescheduled game in Fife.
RECENT RESULTS
Falkirk Women recorded an impressive 19-5 win against Musselburgh under the lights at Stoneyhill last Friday in the Women’s National Bowl.
Grangemouth 1s lost to league leaders Perthshire 46-26 in a tough physical contest. Both sides have one more league game to play in this seemingly never-ending season. The top three sides are Perthshire with 80 points, Grangemouth with 65, and Hillfoots with 62.
URC RESULTS
Johannesburg Lions were comfortable winners against Glasgow and having led 26-7 at the break, they went on to win 54-12 scoring eight tries in the process. Glasgow never really recovered after losing two tries in the opening ten minutes. Warriors remain top of the table despite the defeat, with Stormers four points behind. Stormers went down 33-24 to Connacht. The top two meet in Cape Town on Saturday.
On Friday night, Edinburgh beat an improving Zebre 31-30 at The Hive . The home side took a narrow four-point advantage into the second half, but the lead exchanged hands several times before a late converted try saw Edinburgh home.
TRUE OR FALSE?
Our Mystery Player, seen above, played his club rugby with Glasgow Accies?