Scotland secured the performance of their lives to defeat France on home soil to start their women's rugby 6 Nations campaign in some style.
A late try from centre and player of the match Lucy Millard secured victory and the win will prove a massive boost to the side who finished fifth last season after a string of average performances. The victory also hands Gary Parker, the new coach, a super start to his tenure.
France set the early pace in the game by scoring first after kicking to the corner. The linout was won by Scotland but the ball turned over and carried across the line by Stephanie Loyer. The conversion was wide of the posts but France led 5-0 after just five minutes.
France drove deep into Scotland's territoty but the ball was retrieved and kick away by Lucy Millard. A lineout for the Scots at the 5m mark signalled a frantic run of play in the French half; when the ball did stray the other side of the line, it was scooped up and kicked and chased at speed by Celia Hawthorn.
Heading towards the half hour, France maintained the pressure and won a penalty at 38 minutes, though the kick was wide.
Despite a slow start to the second half, the Scots surprised the opposition with a superb break from Lucy Millard who headed off on a solo stormer to cross in the corner. The conversion went wide of the uprights.
France pressed forward and a fluried period of action form both sides resulted in a batch of substitutions.
France were awarded another penalty at 57 minutes which duly went over the bar; 5-8.
Louise Moffat replied with a promising break, extended by Celia Hawthorn, though the debutant was stoppd in her tracks.
Just after nine, the mist at last began to lift and the crowd of over 500 raised their game accordingly. A fumbled French pass rolled ominously toward the line, hounded by the Scottish pack. A scrum followed just metres from the line, by the uprights, with a quick ball passed wide to Lucy Millard who drove across the line (79 minutes).
The conversion was wide; the final whistle pierced the air;the score read Scotland Women 10 - 8 France Women.
The win will give Scotland huge confidence ahead of their game with Wales next weekend while the pressure is on France to deliver against Ireland on home soil.