JAMAICA 12 SCOTLAND 38
Millpond, Featherstone, Saturday
SCOTLAND came from behind to triumph over Jamaica and claim their first senior international win.
Jamaica raced into a 12-0 lead, right-sided pair Makeda Lewis and Gianna Noble-Cunningham both crossing inside the opening seven minutes.
But Scotland hit back from the shock to post seven unanswered touchdowns, two from experienced Leeds prop Grace Field.
It was only their second full international, after a late loss to Wales in August.
Scotland head coach Andy Picton said: “It was an outstanding effort. They’ve pulled together very well and stuck at the task.
“At half-time (when they led 12-16) I told them to keep their composure, stick to the process and trust that our skill and fitness will do the job.
“Coming down this hill with the wind behind us in this second half, we’ve shown that, and I am very pleased with the whole squad.”
But it was the Reggae Women who landed the first blows, Lewis racing away from inside her own half and shrugging off the defence and Eleanor Trezise adding the conversion against a strong breeze.
London centre Noble-Cunningham capitalised on a spilled ball to extend the Jamaican lead, with Trezise again on target.
The tide soon turned when Evie Tonkin scorched away from a scrum to get Scotland on the board with Sarah Smart adding the extras.
Winger Smart, who finished with 14 points, pounced on a kick to the corner and landed a tremendous goal that levelled the scores.
Field then barged her way over to put Scotland ahead and give them a slender lead at the break.
Elyse Royal made several strong runs for Jamaica at the start of the second half, while Georgia Briggs looking threatening for Scotland in reply.
Stand-off Emma Welsford’s show-and-go just before the hour ensured a two-score gap, but it was only late in the game, as Jamaica tired, that Scotland ensured victory.
Bristol Golden Ferns winger Raphaella Aquilina celebrated her debut with a try, Field added a carbon copy of her first-half effort and a last-minute break from Kaiya Glynn blew out the margin.
“It showed we have a lack of experience, with so many new players,” noted Jamaica’s lead coach Darren Collins.
“But it’s been a very difficult week for everyone associated with Jamaica with some of the girls not having heard from loved ones back home after the hurricane, so I’m super proud of them playing against that adversity,”
JAMAICA: Alexis Smith, Gianna Noble-Cunningham, Makeda Lewis, Tahnika Talbot, Taneisha Whalley, Chevelle Clarke, Hannah McPherson, Natalia Laing, Emily Bell, Darcey Price, Sienna McPhearson, Eleanor Trezise, Sophie Robinson. Subs: Elyse Royal, Maica Laing, Kaya-Jo Laing, Rhys Morgan
Tries: Lewis (3), Noble-Cunningham (7); Goals: Trezise 2/2
SCOTLAND: Rebecca Smart, Sarah Smart, Enya Lackie, Evie Tonkin, Raphaella Aquilina, Emma Welsford, Isabel Glover, Grace Field, Cerys Gregory, Georgia Briggs, Kaiya Glynn, Ciorstaidh Ainsworth, Nicole Stewart. Subs: Morgan Pearson, Robyn Price, Rebecca White, Steph Gray
Tries: Tonkin (9), S Smart (28), Field (33, 77), Welsford (57), Aquilina (73), Glynn (79); Goals: S Smart 5/7
Half-time: 12-16; Referee: Tara Jones