Rugby: England clinch second championship of the Nations Cup

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Yesterday was another satisfying day for England rugby when the senior women’s team won the Nations Cup in Toronto, adding a bonus point in their victory over South Africa. Defending last year’s title, head coach Gary Street said: “We are delighted that we have won the tournament for the second year, and to do it away from home too against some very competitive competition.” With a final match against Canada on Saturday, England are confident they will finish the tournament undefeated.

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England gave an average performance on Wednesday, feeling the pressure from SA straight away in the game. Both teams remained scoreless after SA failed to convert a penalty, until the 34^th minute when Kate Merchant, carried a good pass from vice-captain Charlotte Barras into space and got England’s first try. With a conversion from Alice Richardson and then a quick penalty kick, England finished the first half 10-0.

The second half gave England the chance to prove their strength. After spending most of the first half in England’s area, the tempo shifted and SA were the ones defending their try-line for the rest of the match. By the 45^th minute England got their second try through Barras and then another from Saracen’s Rachael Burford who scored her first try of the tournament off a sprint from Merchant.

South Africa kept up the pressure with England losing two late scoring opportunities and giving away many unforced errors. As captain Catherine Spencer said after the game: “South Africa were very tough physical opponents and we had to dig deep for our 25 points. We didn’t play our best game and made too many basic errors.” England did, however, cement their victory when Barras sprinted down the line to score her second try in the 80^th minute.

South Africa, whose best game was against France, 17-17, were still pleased with the outcome, cheering at the final whistle for keeping England from crushing them. “Today was a huge step in our progression towards the 2010 World Cup in August” said South Africa Coach Denver Wannies. They had definitely improved from the last time they played England, when they lose 74-8 in the 2008 World Cup.

For England, they are now two-time Nation Cup champions as well as Six Nations champions and European 7s. Their final game against Canada will be a chance to prevent anymore unforced errors.

Imogen Jacobs, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

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