SCOTLAND Women’s Rugby team kept their dreams of World Cup qualification alive with a thrilling win over Spain last night, overturning a half-time deficit and scoring four tries in the process.

The three Borderers in the squad, Lisa Thomson, Chloe Rollie and Lana Skeldon all started the game in Parma and the win means that Scotland have moved into the top 10 of the World Rugby Women’s Rankings for the first time in history.

In an enthralling match Spain opened the scoring in the second minute when winger Paula Requena Zamora touched down before Patricia Garcia Rodriguez added the extras.

The Scots responded with a try from Rhona Lloyd then Thomson created space for Megan Gaffney to score. Helen Nelson was successful with the conversion.

Spain retaliated and Margarita Rodriguez crashed over the line following a well-taken line-out, with Patricia Garcia Rodriguez adding the extra two points.

Spain extend their lead through Maria Garcia Gala’s converted score, before Helen Nelson ensured with sides went in at the break only two points apart, converting her own 37th-minute try.

A Nelson penalty gave Scotland the lead but Spain responded with a Rodriguez’ penalty.

Spain were reduced to 14 players in the 56th minute following a head-on tackle by the Spanish replacement second-row Castelo on Rachel Malcolm and the Scots opted to kick from touch.

From the resulting line-out maul, Rachel McLachlan scored her side’s fourth try of the afternoon which Nelson converted to make the score (22-27).

Scotland withstood incessant pressure in the dying minutes but held on to secure the vital win.

Bryan Easson’s team only needed to avoid defeat to overtake Wales in the rankings but they managed a victory that also keeps their hopes of making it to New Zealand alive after losing their opening game to Italy 38-13.

All four teams in Scotland’s pool are level on five points with everything to play for this weekend when Ireland are the opponents.