Sakura Fifteen Beat Scotland Women

After drawing with Italy Women 17-all in L’Aquila last Saturday, the Japan women’s national rugby team, the Sakura Fifteen, finished their tour of Europe in November 2019 with a hard-fought 24-20 win over Scotland Women in Glasgow on Sunday.

Japan Women 24 d Scotland Women 20
Date: Sunday, 24 November 2019
Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
Kick-off: 13:00

In Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday, the Japan women’s side, the Sakura Fifteen, beat Scotland Women 24-20 after the scores were tied at 10-all at halftime. First half tries to right wing Noriko Taniguchi and flanker Seina Saito countered two five pointers from Scotland left wing Megan Gaffney and right wing Rhona Lloyd to see the scores locked at the break. As the second half got underway, the home side double its score to 20-10 with Gaffney getting a second try while prop Lisa Cockburn also crossed the Japanese whitewash. However, over the closing ten minutes of play, the bench made a huge impact for the Sakura Fifteen with converted tries to replacements Makoto Ebuchi and Ayaka Otsuka sealing a memorable come-from-behind victory.

Italy Women 17 drew with Japan Women 17

Date: Saturday, 16 November 2019
Venue: Tommaso Fattori Stadium, L’Aquila
Kick-off: 14:30