England’s women follow the men
It was great day for England at Twickenham on Saturday. Both teams – the senior men and the senior women – played against New Zealand, the holders of a Rugby World Cup and so are referred to as World Champions, and both won convincingly
The men broke records in winning 38-21 and the women had their most convincing win over New Zealand in November – their third match in eight days.
They won the first 16-13, the second 17-8 and this won 32-23, scoring five tries to three.
The men’s team played first and in stirring fashion and then the women entered HQ for a match in which they were always ascendant.
Kat Merchant, from a move that started with a tap penalty inside the England 22, and Emily Scarratt scored to open the scoring with tries. Emily Scarratt converted her own try. Rawin Everitt scored a try for the lack Ferns and Kat Merchant got her second try and prop Roz Crowley a try. Selica Winiata scored just before half-=time to make the score at the break 24-15 to England.
The scoring abated somewhat in the second half, each side scoring a try – Jo Watmore for England and then, just before the final whistle,, Kendra Cocksedge for New Zealand.
England’s coach Gary Street said: "Obviously we're hugely delighted to have won here at Twickenham and to wrap up the series in front of a big home crowd. The players, as a group, were once again outstanding and they showed tremendous mental strength to get through this series and win it 3-0.
"There is a lot of trust in this group and that shows every time a squad member pulls on the England shirt. We may not have won a World Cup for many years but we are definitely the number one side in the world at the moment."
Scorers:
For England:
Tries: Kat Merchant 2, Emily Scarratt, Roz Crowley, Jo Watmore
Cons: Emily Scarratt 2
Pen: Emily Scarratt
For New Zealand:
Tries: Rawinia Everitt, Selica Winiata, Kendra Cocksedge
Cons: Kelly Brazier
Pens: Kelly Brazier 2
The teams:
England: 15 Emily Scarratt, 14 Katherine Merchant, 13 Joanne Watmore, 12 Alice Richardson, 11 Michaela Staniford, 10 Katy McLean, 9 Natasha Hunt, 8 Sarah Hunter, 7 Heather Fisher, 6 Marlie Packer, 5 Rowena Burnfield, 4 Tamara Taylor, 3 Laura Keates, 2 Victoria Fleetwood, 1 Rosemarie Crowley
Replacements: 16 Emma Croker, 17 Sophie Hemming, 18 Rochelle Clark, 19 Emily Braund, 20 Hannah Gallagher, 21 La Toya Mason, 22 Amber Reed, 23
New Zealand: 15 Kelly Brazier, 14 Selica Winiata, 13 Shakira Baker, 12 Claire Richardson, 11 Hazel Tubic, 10 Kendra Cocksedge, 9 Emma Jensen, 8 Casey Robertson, 7 Justine Lavea, 6 Aroha Savage, 5 Rawinia Everitt, 4 Eloise Blackwell, 3 Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox, 2 Fiao'o Fa’amasuilI (captain), 1 Ruth McKay
Replacements: 16 Karina Stowers, 17 Kathleen Wilton, 18 Aleisha Nelson, 19 Jackie Patea, 20 Lydia Crossman, 21 Teresa Te Tamaki, 22 Anika Tiplady, 23 Halie Hurring
Referee: Sherry Trumbull (Canada)
Assistant referees: Philip Davies (England) , Dino Maddern (England)
Tel;evision match official: Steve Leyshon (England)
