Wales Women lose out to technical Canada

Wales 3 Canada 25

Canada were dominant for most of the game but Wales certainly didn’t suffer from a lack of possession. At their spiritual home ground, Wales had some strong line-out ball and were effective at the set piece, in slowing down the ball at the breakdown and restricted the possession of the Canadian backs.

Wales No.15 Non Evans took three points after ten minutes but the lead was short lived when Canada’s Sarah Ulmer scored their first try in the 11th minute underneath the posts after he No.13 broke the line and off-loaded the ball to set up the finish, which was then converted by Meghan Mutrie.

The second half didn’t see any points on the board for Wales but despite a yellow card Canada showed real power and athletic ability when they got the ball and managed two late tries in the 78th and 80th minutes. However, neither were converted.

Head Coach Fielies Coetsee was optimistic despite the final score: “It was our first game of the season and inevitably we still need time to gel as a team but being honest they created and took their opportunities well.

“I was pleased with our scrum and the players showed some real promise ahead of the Six Nations campaign. We’ve got a few months to gel and I’m confident we’ve got some strong performances ahead.”

Canada’s Head Coach, Quinten Fyffe, also praised the Welsh scrum and set piece: “Wales were strong and destructive at the breakdown, strong at set piece and because of that we had to adjust our tactics, it’s the first time our girls have been put under pressure but we responded well and came away with the game.”

Wales: Non Evans; Hayley Baxter, Rachel Poolman, Clare Flowers, Louise Rickard; Awen Thomas, Amy Day; Louise Horgan, Rhian Bowden, Jenny Davies, Gemma Hallett, Claire Donovon, Jenny Doyle, Nicola Evans, Mellissa Berry (Capt)

Replacements: Ruth Evans, Natalie Bowen, Rachel Taylor, Vikki Gaylard, Laura Prosser, Michaela Reed, Bethan Walsh

Scorers
Wales:
Pen: Non Evans (10 min)

Canada:
Tries: Sarah Ulmer (11min), Heather Moyse (47 min), Meghan Mutrie (78 min), Julia Sugawara (80 min)
Cons: Meghan Mutrie (11 min)
Pens: Meghan Mutrie (25 min)

Yellow Card: 16. Leslie Cripps (Canada)

HT: Wales 3 Canada 15
FT: Wales 3 Canada 25