The match got off at a frightening pace with a seven minute period seeing three tries registered – a brace of converted scores from Welsh winger Caryl James either side of a solo effort from Scotland stand-off Tanya Griffith.

Having kicked a penalty for possession, Griffith collected a short ball from scrum-half Louise Dalgliesh gassed through a gap in midfield to score under the posts.

Fifteen minutes later Wales’ Non Evans converted her own score to put the hosts in 21-7 at half-time.

Half time: 21-7

After the break Wales’ Mared Evans extended their lead with a converted try midway through the second-half before Scotland were finally rewarded for their dynamic forward play one minute from time.

Having worked the ball up field with a series of pick-and-goes from the pack, captain and flanker Lynne Reid was on hand to accept the short ball from replacement scrum-half Sarah Gill to cross for the unconverted try.

Final score: 28-12

Scotland Women head coach, Gary Parker, said: “We put ourselves in a good position to bring the game to 21-14 just before half-time but, while we created many opportunities, we didn’t’ take them.

“All in all we’re disappointed that we gave away two soft scores but overall we performed quite well, particularly in the forwards.”

Scotland Women's team
Celia Hawthorn (Edinburgh University); Victoria Blakebrough (Richmond), Lucy Millard (Team Northumbria), Erin Kerr (London Wasps), Veronica Fitzpatrick (RHC Cougars); Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars), Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars); Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordanhill), Sarah-Louise Walker (Watsonians), Gillian McCord (RHC Cougars), Lindsey Wheeler (Team Northumbria), Louise Moffat (Murrayfield Wanderers), Lynne Reid (RHC Cougars), Susie Brown (Richmond), Donna Kennedy (Worcester)
Replacements: Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), Rosalind Murphy (Edinburgh University), Louise Grey (Henley), Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Sarah Gill (Murrayfield Wanderers), Lynsey Douglas (London Wasps), Cara D'Silva (RHC Cougars)

SCOTLAND WOMEN 6 NATIONS SCHEDULE
Sunday 28 February - Italy Women v Scotland Women (Colleferro, nr Rome, kick-off 1.30pm GMT)
Saturday 13 March - Scotland Women v England Women (Meggetland, kick-off 1.30pm)
Friday 19 March - Ireland Women v Scotland Women (Ashbourne, Co Meath, kick-off 7.30pm)