Rugby World Cup: Wales 18-15 Scotland - late Keira Bevan penalty seals Welsh win

Wales scrum-half Keira Bevan kicked an 84th-minute penalty to clinch a thrilling victory over Scotland in their World Cup opener in Whangarei.

A second try for Megan Gaffney looked to have salvaged a draw for Scotland as Wales were reduced to 14 players.

But first-half tries from Alisha Butchers and Kayleigh Powell and Bevan's intervention secured victory.

Wales 10 Elinor Snowsill was player of the match, while opposite number Helen Nelson missed all her kicks at goal.

The game had been dubbed a must-win for both home nations, with New Zealand and Australia the favourites to progress from Pool A.

But there is also a route to the knockout stages for the two best third-place teams, which Wales are now in a commanding position to claim, should they fail to pick up points in their next two matches.

Strong start

Wales, like Scotland, came into this game on the back of five Test defeats, but soon shrugged off their tag of being sluggish starters.

Aided by a stiff breeze, Wales spent the opening minutes camped in Scotland's half and got their just rewards when flanker Butchers crashed over from close range.

Centre Megan Webb showed what a silky runner she is in her first start in two years, as Scotland looked nervy, understandably so, given that all of their squad were making World Cup debuts.

The outstanding Snowsill kicked a penalty to extend the lead before Scotland eventually found their feet with hooker Lana Skeldon crossing, just like she did against Wales in Cardiff in the Six Nations.

Wales responded as a Georgia Evans' turnover sparked another attacking move which saw full-back Powell score.

Ioan Cunningham's side took a deserved 10-point lead in at half-time, but Scotland came out firing after the break as Wales' discipline came under the microscope.

Megan Gaffney played sevens for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games

Wales rode their luck before prop Cara Hope was eventually shown a yellow card, which led to Gaffney's first try on the overlap.

Wales should have put the game to bed after an incredible line break from Butchers.

While Jasmine Joyce was on her flank, Butchers backed her pace before being chopped down a metre short of the line. It proved to be her last contribution as she went off with a knee injury.

Wales struggled to hold onto the ball which made for a nervy final 10 minutes and Joyce was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.

This allowed wing Gaffney enough space to score in the 78th minute to level the scores but Nelson missed the conversion.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until Scotland conceded a penalty 30 metres out following relentless Wales' phase attack.

In the absence of Snowsill who had left the field, replacement scrum-half Bevan stepped up to slot over the penalty to break Scotland hearts.

Match winner

After being given the responsibility ahead of fellow replacement Robyn Wilkins, Bevan says she felt confident she would kick the match-winning penalty.

"As soon as the referee's arm went out for a penalty, I kind of in the back of my head thought we were in kicking range," said Bevan.

"When it was officially given, we had a bit of a debate on the field about who was kicking it and I made a bit of song and dance about it!

"The message came on that if I was confident to let me take it, and I was striking them well in the warm-up.

"First of all I couldn't look. I knew I had struck it well as soon as it left my boot.

"As soon as the final whistle went, I got swamped. I didn't know whether to be happy or cry.

"The emotion was relief because we had done it in the manner we had.

"It was a really tough game and we are delighted to get the win. I just wish we could make it easier for ourselves."

Player of the match - Elinor Snowsill

Elinor Snowsill is playing in her fourth World Cup

Wales: Kayleigh Powell; Jasmine Joyce, Megan Webb, Hannah Jones (capt), Lisa Neumann; Elinor Snowsill, Ffion Lewis; Cara Hope, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Georgia Evans, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Sioned Harries

Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Caryl Thomas, Cerys Hale, Siwan Lillicrap, Bethan Lewis, Keira Bevan, Robyn Wilkins, Lowri Norkett.

Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Hannah Smith, Lisa Thomson, Megan Gaffney; Helen Nelson, Caity Mattinson; Molly Wright, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (capt), Louise McMillan, Jade Konkel

Replacements: Jodie Rettie, Leah Bartlett, Elliann Clarke, Lyndsay O'Donnell, Eilidh Sinclair, Mairi McDonald, Meryl Smith, Shona Campbell.

Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)

Assistants: Julianne Zussman (RC), Tyler Miller (RA)

TMO: Chris Assmus (RC)