June 29 - 2005 Black Ferns start Canada Cup with a win

The Black Ferns won the Canada Cup with wins over Scotland (30 – 9) and Canada (43 – 3) before beating Canada 32 – 5 in the final.

They rounded off the 2005 season with decisive wins over England in Auckland (33 – 8) and Hamilton (24 – 15).

Black Ferns 30 Scotland 9

By Jane Bailey in Ottawa

“In a nice moment and to the delight of the Scottish supporters, the Scottish girls sang Flower of Scotland a capella to the crowd before the New Zealanders Maori challenge.

The Black Ferns then began strongly. Stephanie Mortimer scored soon after the kick off from an attacking set move. A few minutes later Exia Shelford made it 10-0 in similar fashion and Hannah Myers converted that try to bring the score to 12-0. Myers kicked another penalty to make it 15-0.

The Scottish team fought back hard to keep the ball in New Zealand territory. Relentless pressure by their fowards put Rimma Petlevannaya in position for a neatly-taken dropped goal to put Scotland on the board at 15-3. But more clever back play from the Black Ferns resulted in a try between the posts to Myers, converting her own try to make it 22-3. She finished the first half with another penalty.

The second half saw a resurgent Scotland. They applied good pressure, and 20 minutes into the half Paula Chalmers landed a penalty to make it 25-6. She kicked another soon afterwards to bring Scotland within 16 points.

But late in the game Black Fern wing Stephanie Mortimer charged down a clearing kick and dived over in the corner. Scotland had won the second half 6-5 but were outclassed overall.

Scorers:

Black Ferns: Stephanie Mortimer (2). Exia Shelford, Hannah Myers tries: Myers 2 conversions 2 penalties.

Scotland: Paula Chalmers 2 penalties. Rimma Petlevannaya Drop goal.“

From: “Rugby News” 2005, Issue 19, p. 36.

Black Ferns team v Scotland: Stacey Lene, Claire Richardson, Hannah Myers, Stephanie Mortimer, Exia Shelford, Anna Richards, Emma Jensen, Marina Canterbury, Justine Lavea, Shannon Willoughby, Melissa Ruscoe, Monalisa Codling, Casey Robertson, Kamila Wihongi, Farah Palmer (capt.). Subs Amiria Marsh, Huriana Manuel, Catherine de Jong, Rochelle Martin, Joan Sione, Melodie Ngatai, Karina Penetito.