Non Evans does not remember seeing her match-winning penalty against England sail through the posts, but she will never forget the hugs of her teammates and their tears of joy.
Former Wales and Cardiff Quins full-back Evans kicked her country to their first-ever win against the Red Roses in the final play of the 2009 Women’s Six Nations clash, ending 22 years of hurt in the process.
Now Wales are preparing for another critical game against their fiercest rivals this weekend, and just like that historic encounter 14 years ago, both sides are still in the hunt for the Grand Slam and the Triple Crown.
Ioan Cunningham’s team will be underdogs at a sold-out Cardiff Arms Park, but Evans is a testament to the glory that will await the Wales players if they can shock the 2021 World Cup finalists.
“I kicked it, and I did not even know if it went over because all the girls jumped on me,” said Evans.
“It was the best moment of my life.
“I was asking if we won, and all my teammates were hugging me, crying and shouting ‘We won Non, we won!’.
“I asked them if they were serious, I did not believe them, that is how amazing it felt.
“Judo was my first sport, and I won two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games, but kicking the winner against England is definitely my number one sporting achievement, that and winning the Triple Crown that year as well.
“I am so proud now, England are professional, Wales are now as well, and when they play each other on Saturday it will be a sell-out crowd.”
Tries from Fiona Pocock and Emily Scarratt edged the Red Roses into a 12-8 lead at the break, with Mel Berry getting a score back for Wales.
Aimee Young put the hosts ahead following Scarratt’s yellow card.
England must have thought they were on the verge of victory when Katy Daley-Mclean kicked a penalty to edge her side back in front, but there was more to come at Taffs Well.
With the clock turned red, Wales won a penalty at the breakdown inside England’s half and the rest, as they say, is history.
However, one player’s joy is another’s heartbreak, and Daley-Mclean admits that England were in no mood for sentimentality after suffering a first defeat against Wales.
“I am English through and through, so as great as it is to see the impact that day had on Welsh rugby, I am still disappointed with how we got on as England,” said the 116 cap fly-half.
“I think it is really hard when you play in those games to properly appreciate the significance because we were the losing side, so for us, it was just a disappointment.
“For those guys, it was a historic moment to beat us, and they went on to win Triple Crown.
“Fair play to Non because it was a big kick with a lot of pressure on it, especially considering they had not beaten us in their history.
“Whenever you play Wales, regardless of what the scoreline, those girls are always ready to go for it.
“I think it was one of those games, we had not taken our opportunities, and there was pretty much one score in it throughout.
“It was just the frustration that we had not done more in the game, once she kicked the penalty it was already too late, it was full-time.”
The result had huge implications for the 2009 Championship.
Wales won their first and only Triple Crown and were just an inferior points difference away from winning the Women’s Six Nations itself.
A 27-5 defeat against France at the Stade Sapiac, a week later proved costly, giving England hope in the race for the Championship.
Nonetheless, Wales’ triumph in 2009 did end three years of Red Roses dominance in the Women’s Six Nations, with England having won three Grand Slams in a row ahead of the clash.
England’s Rugby World Cup-winning coach Gary Street believes results like Wales’ 2009 triumph were crucial to growing the game.
“These results were absolutely massive, I think role models in sport, particularly in female sport, are so important,” he said.
“Non Evans is a legend, and for her to slot that kick to win, although it was difficult for me at the time, I think it was brilliant for Welsh rugby and the Championship.
“If I were a young Welsh girl watching that kick from Non, I would feel like I could be her one day.
“I did a session with some under-9s recently, and if you ask them who they want to be like, now it’s Emily Scarratt and Sarah Hunter.
“The fact that Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy are now starting to invest more makes me really proud because I was very good friends with the other coaches.
“They would say that England being strong means that the other sides have to catch up with less investment.”
The Red Roses will be the main event at Twickenham when they face France later this month.
However, first things first, they will have to perform at a sold-out Cardiff Arms Park.
The game has come a long way from international fixtures at local rugby clubs, and despite her love for her country, Daley-Mclean accepts the increased competitiveness of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations will only help the sport grow.
She added: “It is amazing, it is what we want for the game, the top nations can’t just grow the sport.
“There is no value in England and France just going around beating people.
“For me, it is amazing, I think the introduction of contracts in Wales has done a massive amount for their performances.
“If Wales were going to beat England I think this weekend is one of their best opportunities.”
