Scotland secured qualification for a first Rugby World Cup since 2010 with a 59-3 win over Colombia to reach the showpiece in New Zealand.
After two early Sarah Law penalties, Scotland moved into a commanding lead with tries from Lisa Thomson, Megan Gaffney and Rhona Lloyd.
Colombia hit back from the tee but Law crossed herself and converted to give Scotland a 28-3 lead at the break.
And through a combination of set piece dominance as well as incisive back play, tries from Jade Konkel, Lana Skeldon, Evie Wills and Molly Wright, as well as second from Gaffney, saw Scotland to a comprehensive win.
Though they were always expected to win against a side playing only their fifth test match in history, this was an accomplished and dominant display from a hungry Scottish team, who will go into this year’s TikTok Women’s Six Nations full of confidence.
SCOTLAND HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
They made a terrific start as Law knocked over a two penalties in the first seven minutes, settling their nerves as they started to put together a string of well-structured and well-executed early plays.
Though Colombia were holding their own, missing a penalty to touch proved crucial when a few phases later Skeldon carried hard in midfield, breaking through before offloading to Rachel McLachlan to keep the counter-attack alive.
It would lead to Scotland’s first try, as great hands down the line saw Thomson in space ten yards out before she duly finished the chance. Law missed the conversion, but Scotland had an 11-point lead inside as many minutes, and were soon straight back on the attack.
Moments after Chloe Rollie stepped through to bring Scotland within a few metres of the line, hands down the blindside fed left winger Gaffney for a second Scotland try.
Again Law missed from the touchline, but that was all Colombia could take as consolation from the onslaught they were facing in a terrific first quarter for the Scots.
The South Americans’ defence was providing a number of brave last-ditch efforts, but the relentless pressure combining strength and skill would eventually see Lloyd cross on the opposite wing to Gaffney to make it 21-0 on the half hour.
Colombia eventually enjoyed some possession, and were on the board in the 35th minute as Maria Arzuaga’s reliable boot knocked over a penalty to reduce the arrears.
But on the stroke of half-time, after sustained Scottish pressure, Law dummied and powered over before converting to give them a near-unassailable lead at the break.
CLINICAL SCOTLAND FINISH THE JOB
The visitors needed an immediate response after the break if they were to have any hope, but it was Scotland who scored first as a delicate pass from Law set Gaffney through a gap for her second try before the former converted.
After Colombia centre Isabel Romero was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on on 54 minutes, Scotland opted for the scrum and Konkel controlled the ball at the back before dotting down.
Scotland used the player advantage well with a further two scores in the sin-bin period: first going over again on the hour mark as Skeldon broke from the back of a maul to round off a fine display, before Evie Wills capped more excellent build-up play with a first try for her country just her third appearance.
As the game ticked it into the final ten minutes Skeldon’s replacement added another in similar fashion to the starting hooker, Wright this time staying connected to the maul as it trundled over.
And that would be the final try on a terrific night for Scotland, who will now join New Zealand, Australia and Wales in Pool A for this autumn’s showpiece event.
TEAMS
Scotland: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 13 Lisa Thomson, 12 Helen Nelson, 11 Megan Gaffney, 10 Sarah Law, 9 Jenny Maxwell, 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Christine Belisle, 4 Emma Wassell, 5 Louise McMillan, 6 Rachel Malcolm, 7 Rachel McLachlan, 8 Jade Konkel.
Replacements: 16 Molly Wright, 17 Lisa Cockburn, 18 Katie Dougan, 19 Eva Donaldson, 20 Evie Gallagher, 21 Caity Mattinson, 22 Evie Wills, 23 Shona Campbell.
Colombia: Laura Mejia; Juliana Soto, Leidy Soto (captain), Isabel Cristina Romero, Maria Isabel Aruzaga; Maria Camila Lopera, Yamileth Andrea Ramirez; Ailyn Andrioly, Natalia Barajas, Claudia Alejandra Betancur, Laura Valentina Alvarez, Annagith Vargas, Angie Manyoma, Valeria Munoz, Tatiana Hernandez.
Replacements: Gales Avendano, Silvia Olave, Gisel Gomez, Lizabeth Brant, Catalina Arango, Yina Quintero, Valentina Tapias, Leidy Garcia.
