Scotland 10 - 37 Canada: Canadians are too strong for Scots in World Cup opener

Scotland Women couldn't turn pressure into points in their opening World Cup match against Canada, as, despite racking up the majority of possession against Canada, the scoreline failed to reflect their efforts.

Getting off to a cracking start, they dominated possession for the first six minutes but conceded a penalty after ten minutes, slotted successfully by the Canadian stand off Anna Schnell.

A loose ball at the restart was stolen successfully by the Scots and precipitated a great run from centre Lucy Millard. The break was intercepted, however, with the Canadians slicing through the line to cross the whitewash and make the score 8-0, courtesy of Barbara Mervin.

Canada enjoyed a good run over the next quarter of an hour with a penalty from Schnell increasing their lead.

The Scots took the advantage at the restart but Canada again spotted a gap with Mandy Marchak putting her name on the scoresheet, the try converted by Schnell to increase the Canadians' lead to 0-18.

Just before half time, despite increased pressure by the Scots, the opposition moved further in front with a score from Maria Gallo, Schnell adding the extra points to put them ahead 25-0 at the break.

A lapse of attention as the second half kicked off was to cost Scotland dear as Canada's centre, Marchak, charged unopposed to the line for an unconverted try.

Two devastating breaks by centre Lucy Millard then led to Scotland's first score, with the run from the halfway line putting five points on the board. It was replied to immediately, however, with a converted try - the five-pointer coming from Canada's Olympic bobsleigh champion, Heather Moyse.

A double substitution for the Scots injected fresh legs to the final twenty five minutes and soon saw them driving towards the line.

A try was threatening and soon came to pass, courtesy of lofty lock, Lindsay Wheeler. Nicola Halfpenny's conversion attempt just came up short to keep the final score at 37-10.

Scotland: N Halfpenny (Melrose), C Hawthorn (Edin Univ), L Millard (Team Northumbria), S Newton (Team Northumbria), V Fitzpatrick (Royal High Cougars), E Kerr (London Wasps), L Dalgliesh (Royal High Cougars); H Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill), S-L Walker (Watsonians), B Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), G McCord (Royal High Cougars), L Wheeler (Darlington Mowden Park), L Reid (Royal High Cougars, capt), D Kennedy (Worcester), S Brown (Richmond). Subs: A Macdonald (Royal High Cougars) for Walker, R Murphy (Edinburgh University) for McCord, R Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers) for Kennedy, S Gill (Murrayfield Wanderers) for Dalgliesh, T Griffith (Royal High Cougars) (on for Gill). Not used: K Holdsworth (Watsonians),S Johnston (Hillhead/Jordanhill).