Women reach World Cup

Published on Saturday 23 May 2009 22:49

SCOTLAND'S women have qualified for the 2010 World Cup after a 38-18 win over the Netherlands in the FIRA European Championship.

Victory booked Scotland's place at the tournament in England as winners of European Championship Pool A.

A second-half hat-trick from full-back Lucy Millard – which took her European Championship tally to nine tries in three games – was the key to yesterday's crucial victory. Hooker Sarah-Louise Walker and No.8 Susie Brown also touched down.

"This win is massive," said Scotland coach Jamie Dempsey. "We want to be a tier one nation in the women's game. This is the first time there has ever been a qualification process for the World Cup and for us to get there is a massive achievement.

He added: "The performance was fantastic, we played against a very fit, big athletic Dutch side, particularly in the second-half."

Morne Steyn set a Super 14 record with four drop-goals in the Blue Bulls' 36-23 victory over Canterbury Crusaders in their semi-final.

Steyn also kicked three conversions and a penalty for 21 points while wings Bryan Habana and Akona Ndungane and No.8 Pierre Spies scored tries for the 2007 champions.

The Bulls will play the Waikato Chiefs, who reached their first Super 14 final on Friday with a 14-10 victory over the Wellington Hurricanes.