Scotland women started 2026 with a victory over their USA counterparts in a hard-fought tussle at Coronado High School, near Las Vegas.

The visitors opened the scoring on six minutes when Glover put through a delicate kick into the in-goal area and Gray pounced to touch down, 0-4.

Scotland should’ve increased their lead on fifteen minutes when Welsford broke through the USA defence on halfway. The cover tackle from the Americans was good but a quick play the ball and dummy half pass, saw fullback White cross. Inexplicably though, the referee brought Scotland back for a penalty due to the USA being offside at the play the ball despite the clear benefit of the advantage.

Two minutes later, following a second penalty, White’s disappointment turned to elation as she crossed again. This time she wouldn’t be denied. Stewart added the extras to make it 0-10.

The remainder of the half became a war of attrition with both teams making strong carries and big tackles. Powerful second row Scott was held just short for the USA on twenty five minutes and only a great one-on-one tackle by White on her opposite number Granby prevented the hosts scoring on twenty nine minutes. The following tackle needed some desperate defence from Welsford and White again to force the USA player over the sideline close to the corner flag. A 30m carry from Briggs on thirty four minutes was the best Scotland could muster, but they lead 0-10 at the break.

The second half started disastrously for the Bravehearts. An error from kickoff gifted the USA the ball in Scotland’s half and Granby went over in the corner from a Scott turn-up play. 4-10 on forty two minutes.

Just four minutes later the scores were level as a loose pass from Welsford was allowed to bounce and USA winger Asumang was able to gather, break three would be tackles and race 95m unopposed. Fisch added the extras and it was game on.

Scotland regained the lead on fifty nine minutes when Stewart took a short pass off Welsford to bust the line and go over from 15m. She also added the conversion to make it 10-16. Another Scotland error from kickoff gave the USA the ball Scotland’s half again. Tone carried the ball from the tap penalty and, although she appeared held, was allowed to carry on and crashed over the line with three defenders holding on. The conversion was missed so it remained 14-16 and all to play for with eighteen minutes to go.

An offload from the impressive Stewart was collected by Simpson to score on sixty eight minutes, with the same playing bagging her second three minutes later when Scotland threw the ball wide and Simpson finding herself in a bit of space to dot down. With the aid of the crossbar, Stewart added one conversion to take the final score to 14-26.

Shamarica Scott was voted Player of the Match for the USA by the Scottish coaching staff, whilst Nicole Stewart took the award for Scotland from both the USA and Scotland staff. What was particularly impressive about Stewart’s outstanding performance was that travel issues meant she’d been in Las Vegas less than 24 hours so was playing with a lack of preparation and sleep.

Coach Gareth Nicholson said

“I’m really proud of all girls. You can see what it means to them and the emotion in their faces. It’s a fantastic result and I have to give credit to every single one of them, they all played their part. Preparation wasn’t ideal with three of the lasses only arriving last night but they dug deep and got the job done. In fairness it was probably closer than it should’ve been as they scored from our mistakes but fair play to the USA, they took advantage. They’ve got some really talented athletes in their squad and can certainly hold their heads up high. I’d just like to thank Kipper, Lizzie, Daz and Emily on the sidelines, plus all of our sponsors for their support, as without them all this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Having only just joined the world rankings, the win against a higher placed opposition away from home, should almost certainly see Scotland rise a couple of places the next time the rankings are officially published.