England Women win Nations Cup
Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:08
England Women added the Nations Cup crown to their silverware cabinet this season after a hard fought 43-9 victory against Canada on Sunday at Esher RFC.
The reigning Six Nations and European champions ran in seven tries with fullback Danielle Waterman and prop Rochelle Clark grabbing braces of tries each. The victory secures England the title after a thrilling 17-14 win over the USA on Friday evening.
England coach Gary Street said: “Today’s game was tough, but the second-half especially highlighted everything we have been working towards over the last 12 months. The players demonstrated their determination and passion and I'm delighted for them.”
England had to work hard for the win again though, leading only 12-9 at half-time but then an outstanding second half performance, with flyhalf Katy McLean controlling the game superbly, saw England run riot.
Canada initially pushed ahead in the early stages and were rewarded with a third minute Anna Schnell penalty. But England hit back. Wing Charlotte Barras had come close to touching down, but a high tackle saw England awarded a penalty. McLean dropped the ball into the corner and England then took the clean line-out ball to drive forward, with Alphonsi picking up and charging over the line. McLean converted to take a 7-3 lead.
That advantage was, however, short lived for the home side as Canada clawed back two penalties to take a 9-7 lead with little time left on the clock before half time. England did not give up though, and battled to get the lead back at half-time.
The hosts pressurised Canada’s line and a good line-out catch and drive brought England close, but they were held up at the line. A well worked scrum followed and England got the ball out to the left wing and a good pass by young Emily Scarratt saw Waterman run in to score. McLean missed the conversion but England importantly had a 12-9 lead at half-time.
England and Canada both missed penalties early after the restart, but the home side soon established an important lead after recycling the ball through several phases of play in Canada’s 22. Wing Michaela Staniford then found space and muscled her way over the line. McLean added the conversion to establish a ten point cushion.
England’s run continued and eight minutes later Clark drove her way over the line from a good line-out and again McLean converted, before Waterman ran in for another converted try.
Try number six was another great team effort with England relentless in attack and substitute Kat Merchant took the spoils to take a very comfortable 38-9 lead, before prop Clark polished off a great second-half performance with her second try of the afternoon.
England and Canada meet again on Friday evening at Esher RFC for a friendly rematch, while Canada and the USA will play off for the runners-up spot on Tuesday, also at Esher.
Scorers:
For England:
Tries: Alphonsi, Waterman 2, Staniford, Clark 2, Merchant
Cons: McLean 4
For Canada:
Pens: Schnell 3
Teams:
England: 15 Danielle Waterman, 14 Charlotte Barras, 13 Emily Scarratt, 12 Kim Oliver, 11 Michaela Staniford, 10 Katy McLean, 9 Amy Turner, 8 Catherine Spencer (captain), 7 Margaret Alphonsi, 6 Sarah Hunter, 5 Joanna McGilchrist, 4 Tamara Taylor, 3 Katy Storie, 2 Amy Garnett, 1 Rochelle Clark (Henley),
Replacements: 16 Emma Layland, 17 Sophie Hemming, 18 Natalie Binstead, 19 Karen Jones, 20 Alice Richardson ( ), 21 Kat Merchant, 22 Francesca Matthews.
Canada: 15 Ashley Patzer,14 Meghan Mutrie, 13 Mandy Marchak, 12 Sarah Ulmer, 11 Maria Gallo, 10 Anna Schnell, 9 Julia Sugawara, 8 Katie Murray, 7 Gillian, 6 Heather Jaques, 5
Marie-Eve Brindamour-Carignan, 4 Megan Gibbs, 3 Heather Mcdonald, 2 Lesley Mckenzie, 1 Leslie Cripps,
Replacements: 16 Kim Donaldson, 17 Marlene Donaldson, 18 Kelly Russell, 19 Barb Mervin, 20 Jennifer Kish, 21 Brooke Hilditch, 22 Julianne Zussman
Referee: Terry Hall
Touch judges: Claire Hodnett and Natalie Amor
