Skeldon on hand to help Scots end losing streak

By SAM JACKSON

Scotland ……….29pts

Tries: McMillan 11, Skeldon 35, 67, Bartlett 46, 51

Conversions: Nelson 47, 53

Italy………………. 21pts

Tries: Franco 29, Tounesi 57, Vecchini 60

Conversions: Sillari 30, 58, 61

Scotland saw off an Italian fightback to secure their first victory of this year's Six Nations and bring their 12-match losing run to an end.

Louise McMillan and Lana Skeldon gave the Scots a 10-7 half-time lead. They extended that to 24-7 with a Leah Bartlett double, but the visitors responded through Sara Tounesi and Viottoria Vecchini.

Skeldon's second try ensured the Scots saw out a first win since beating Colombia last February.

Player of the match Lana Skeldon said: “I thought we fought, we fought, and we fought. It is our time and I think we are ready. It was absolutely incredible from the whole team. We prepared really strongly this week and we just had belief in ourselves the entire week. It wouldn't be Scotland if we didn't have to withstand a little bit of a fightback from Italy would it?”

Italy started strongly, but Scotland marshalled them well and the hosts had their first attacking platform in the eighth minute. The home side showed patience and the forwards carried well as second row Jade Konkel-Roberts and back-row Rachel McLachlan set up second-row McMillan for an unconverted try.

Shortly after, Italy should have had their first try. Beatrice Rigoni hacked on a loose ball, winger Alyssa D'Inca did the same and the latter looked like she would gather and go. However, she fumbled the ball and it went forward.

Italy did get on the scoreboard shortly after as No.8 Giada Franco powered over and centre Michela Sillari slotted the conversion to put them ahead.

With five minutes to go before the break, Scotland regained the lead. Some strong play stretched the Italian defence and saw second row Giordana Duca yellow carded for repeated infringements.

From the resultant penalty and lineout drive, hooker Skeldon went over for an unconverted try.

Scotland's third came from loosehead prop Bartlett before things got even better for the home side when Bartlett powered over for her second try.

Just before the hour, back row Sara Tounesi scored a try for Italy and the Italian response continued as the visitors had their third try.

Hooker Vittoria Vecchini crossed the whitewash, and the match was suddenly 24-21.

However, Italy substitute Sara Seye was then sent off for making head on head contact with Konkel-Roberts before Skeldon scored her second try to seal a Scottish win.