Ireland beat Scotland to claim seventh

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP Ireland 32 Scotland 8:IRELAND CLAIMED seventh place at the Women's World Cup with an entertaining 32-8 victory over Scotland at Surrey Sports Park yesterday.

Eliza Downey and Niamh Briggs both crossed for braces with Orla Brennan also touching down to ensure Ireland improved on their eighth place finish in the last World Cup four years ago, despite a spirited display from Scotland.

Ireland opened the scoring after only three minutes with a well-struck penalty from Briggs, after Scotland were punished for not releasing the ball when tackled.

With 10 minutes played, the Irish extended their lead to 8-0 when wing Downey crossed for a well-worked team try.

Out-half Helen Brosnan spotted a gap behind the Scottish defence and her delicate kick was collected by Maireád Kelly with the ball recycled quickly and spread wide for Downey to score in the corner.

Minutes later, Ireland had scored again, this time through an impressive Briggs effort. The fullback collected the ball deep in her own half, before crashing through two attempted Scottish tackles and selling the final defender with a dummy to score under the posts for a 15-0 lead with as many minutes on the clock.

Scotland responded midway through the first half, with a real forward-orientated try finished by Donna Kennedy in what is expected to be her 115th and final Test for her country.

Scotland’s Nicola Halfpenny’s put over a penalty on the stroke of half time to reduce the deficit to 15-8.

Ireland scored their third try of the game, with Downey once again on the end of a well-worked backs move to go over in the corner, following good work from Briggs and Brosnan.

With 55 minutes on the clock, Ireland scored their fourth try through replacement Brennan after the Irish pack formed a rolling maul which drove over the line, bringing the score to 27-8. Ireland put the gloss on the scoreboard minutes from time when Briggs scored her second try.

Ireland coach Philip Doyle: This is huge for the girls. Seventh in the world is a great achievement for us. I know it’s only one place further on for us four years ago but the standard of this World Cup has been hugely impressive so this is a huge achievement for us.

New Zealand clinched their fourth title with a narrow 13-10 win over England.

IRELAND: Niamh Briggs; Eliza Downey, Jo O'Sullivan, Lynne Cantwell, Mairead Kelly; Louise Beamish, Helen Brosnan; Fiona Coghlan (capt), Gillian Bourke, Louise Austin, Kate O'Loughlin, Marie Louise Reilly, Carol Staunton, Claire Molloy, Joy Neville. Replacements: Yvonne Nolan, Laura Guest, Orla Brennan, Sinead Ryan, Amy Davis, Shannon Houston, Jackie Shiels.