Finns caught in Swiss avalanche

Finland,as we reported last week, are not a nation without some pedigree in women's rugby. Success in European Sevens tournaments has seen them appear in the top division in previous seasons, and last year they were deserved winners of the "B" division title. They also have a test match history going back to 2007, including three European Championship appearances, with two wins and a draw to show from their 14 tests before this weekend.

Its not a spectacular record, but it was still a surprise when they narrowly lost 15-5 to Switzerland in Helsinki in October 2012, with Switzerland only sealing their win with a last minute try. So when it came to this weekend's test match inUnterägeri, Switzerland, a close game was forecast by all. That was not to be.

The game took place on International Women’s Day (8th March 2014), the Swiss and the Finnish Women’s XVs National Teams came together on a gloriously sunny spring-like day, with a backdrop of whitecapped Swiss Mountains.

Last October's game was tight throughout, but this time around, the Swiss team started strongly out of the gate, pressuring the Finns deep in their own half right from the kick-off. The initial effort paid off quickly, when Switzerland scored three quick opening tries, with winger Isabella Bauer touching down at the 3rd minute, and fullback Carole Casparis at the 4 and 8-minute mark.

The visitors then slowly started to find their way into the game, but the Swiss kept exploiting their greater strength in the set pieces, and their greater speed in the backline. Inside Centre Rahel Bosshardt scored on 15 minutes, after a breakthrough by the centres, and fullback Casparis added abother try from a set piece.

Before the first half was over, the Swiss team had scored three more tries, with each of the previous scorers touching down for one more, making the halftime score 46-0.

After the break, the guests came out strongly and partially succeeded to knock the Swiss off their game. Nevertheless, Patricia Cartier, making her debut start on the wing for Switzerland, touched down for a try 6 minutes into the second half.

Despite fighting hard and never giving up through to the end, the Finns never looked to seriously threaten the Swiss defence, and kept suffering ball losses in most of the scrums and lineouts.

Thanks to so much ball possession, and a patient, hard-working tight game by their forward pack, the Swiss soon capitalized again, with inside center Rahel Bosshardt completing her hattrick at the 50th minute.

Despite giving away a large number of penalties and even suffering the temporary loss of a front-row forward due to yellow-carding, the Swiss team scroed two more tries through outside centre Simone Haymoz.

Full back Carole Casparis then completed her own double-hat-trick by touching down two more times at the 76th and 80th minute, making the final score 80-0 for Switzerland.

Switzerland:1. Katja Dick, 2 Aida Stamm, 3. Patricia Mancini, 4. Cynthia Munstermann, 5. Anuschka Buob, 6. Carolin Reischauer, 7. Sarah McNamara, 8. Judith Martinot-Prebanider (capt), 9. Muriel Henderson-Kehl, 10. Esther Duss, 11. Patricia Cartier, 12. Rahel Bisshardt, 13. Simone Haymoz, 14. Isanella Bauer, 15. Carole Casparis

Replacements: 16. Angela Diener, 17. Victoria Latenser, 18. Mirjam Sax, 19. LeaStrohm, 29. Holly Shearer, 21. Leonie Robert, 22. Sarah Stuart, 23. Lalline Da Silva Gos

Finland:1. Kaisa Makelainen, 2. Teisa Alasalmi (capt.), 3. Kati Leskinen, 4. Sara Tolonen, 5. Karolina Tuominen, 6. Marianna Latvala, 7. Reeita Tenhu, 8. Johanna Wiksten, 9. Jonna Tynjala, 10. Beatrice Lindell, 11. Janni Tuoninen, 12. Jenni Makirinta, 13, Jenni Sjoroos, 14. Elisa Salonen, 15. Lenna-Maija Vanha-Aho

Replacements:16. Alisa Myllyndaa, 17. Henriikata Keskinen, 18. Veera Ryyanen, 19. Vappu Brannare, 20 Sanni Honkonen, 21. Eeva Haikola

Match officials:Referee: Matthew Sandell. Assistant Refs: Jeremy Tucson, John Coates. 4th referee: François Molette

*Switzerland’s and Finland’s second teams met the following day for a friendly match in Zurich, Switzerland, marking historic first-ever appearances for both countries’ development squads, important steps towards the development of U19 Women’s programmes for both countries. Switzerland were again winners, but only by a narrow score of 10-5.

With thanks toVeronika Muehlhofer, Head Coach Team Switzerland, for the match report and photograph.