Women’s Six Nations: Women fall to third defeat

Published on 26/02/2012 02:05

Forwards scored all the tries for France as Scotland Women slipped to defeat at Bridgehaugh in Stirling yesterday, writes Gary Heatly.

The 23-0 loss means the Scots are winless in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations and have not scored a point in their three matches against England, Wales and France to date.

However, their lack of confidence was not in evidence in the early stages and they were in the ascendency for the opening ten minutes.

They could not make their pressure count, though and it was the visitors who were first on the scoreboard, ending the first quarter with an unconverted try by No.8 Aida Ba.

Before the interval the French increased the lead to 13-0, stand-off Aurélie Bailon kicking a penalty and then a second unconverted try coming from second-row Cyrielle Bouisset.

Hooker Gaëlle Mignot was the player to be credited with France’s third try after the break, the conversion again being missed when it hit the crossbar.

Prop Tracy Balmer, inset, who was captain for the first two matches of the tournament, was then sin-binned for Scotland.

With 14 players they actually held out pretty well but, just as Worcester’s Balmer was coming back on, Bouisset scored her second try of the day.

France centre Sandrine Agricole was given the RBS player of the match award, but even she would admit her forwards set up the win. Scotland certainly do not lack effort but are often made to pay for not taking chances.