Murphy’s endgame stuns Scots
SCOTLAND looked set for their first Six Nations win since 2010 on Friday night but a last-gasp try from Jenny Murphy for Ireland broke their hearts.
The Scots led 15-10 at half-time thanks to two Jade Konkel tries but they couldn’t score again after that and saw Ireland pick up the first ever Six Nations bonus-point as Sene Naoupu, Alison Miller and Lindsay Peat also touched down.
Scotland came roaring out of the blocks and had the first score inside the first five minutes through Konkel from close range.
Ireland responded immediately, hemming the hosts in their 22 and Naoupu ploughed in at the corner after Scotland coughed up possession.
With the Scots struggling in the scrum, Irish captain Paula Fitzpatrick fumbled what should have been a simple score but Miller soon added a second score with the home defence stretched.
Konkel, Scotland’s only full-time player, again powered her way through a gap and Sarah Law slotted a penalty to lead 15-10 at the break. But the hosts were down to 14 early in the second half as Lindsey Smith was guilty of a tackle in the air, and Ireland took advantage as Peat raced in on 52 minutes.
Scotland missed a couple of kickable penalties which would have rewarded some good periods of dominance and they paid the full price for it with the score at 15-15.
With the clock into 79 minutes, Ireland kicked a penalty into the corner and kept their composure from the lineout for Murphy to cross and Nora Stapleton to add the extras.
TEAMS
SCOTLAND: Rollie; Gaffney, Thomson, Martin, Lloyd; Nelson, Law (Maxwell 62); Balmer (Lockhart 67, Malcolm (Park 38), Smith; Wassell, McCormack; Dunbar (Bonar 62), McMillan, Konkel (Dougan 60-62).
Not used: Forsyth, Harris, Sinclair
IRELAND: Coyne; Kavanagh (Considine 40), Murphy, Naoupu, Miller; Stapleton, Hughes (Healy 69); Peat (Van Staden 71), Lyons (Finlay 71), Egan (O’Connor 71); Fitzsimons (Anthony 40), Reilly; Griffin, Molloy, Fitzpatrick
Not used: Fryday, McLaughlin
REFEREE: Aimee Barrett-Theron
ATTENDANCE: 1,200
Star man
Jenny Murphy – Ireland
