Rugby: England Women wait for Twickenham stage to conquer the world champions

• Tweet
• Pin It

England Women will have to wait until Saturday November 21st to have a second chance of conquering the reigning world champions New Zealand after succumbing to a 16-3 defeat at Esher RFC on Saturday.In their first meeting against the Black Ferns since the 2006 Rugby World Cup final England produced a determined and gutsy performance but were let down by ill discipline in the first half which then left them playing catch-up in the second half.

England, however, will not get a better stage than Twickenham Stadium to reek their revenge when they compete in the Investec Challenge Double Header in a week’s time. The rematch kicks off immediately after the men’s match at 445pm, with entry to the stadium free at 415pm.

England Head Coach Gary Street is certainly adamant that England can be second time lucky in seven days time. He said: “This game was a real fact finder for us ahead of the World Cup in 2010, and more immediately next Saturday.

“We are not a side that lose often, and despite that I am upbeat. We have found out today that they are not super human and we are certainly ready to fight again next Saturday.

“I would have liked better playing conditions today. The wind was problematic and it would have been good if we could have got our solar power backs going, but that’s no excuse.

“For 30 minutes of the game we were only 3-0 down, and if we had matched that I think it would have been a different story. Instead we made errors and they added a second penalty and a try just before half time. Then we were left chasing our tails.”

England and New Zealand were evenly matched for most of the first half, and both sides made a ferocious start. England captain Catherine Spencer led by example and made a good break from the back of a scrum. Worcester flanker Heather Fisher took it on and made a superb break to get the home side in New Zealand’s 22 but the tourists held firm and closed the opportunity out.

Instead, New Zealand soon had their first chance at goal but the wind this time played to England’s advantage and their fly half Rebecca Mahony couldn’t convert. She did however just moments later on 14 minutes.

England again showed how powerful they can be in attack with another good pick up from Spencer. Fisher again showed her pace, and with the ball then moving through the midfield Richmond centre Claire Allan was pulled down just short of the line.

New Zealand continued to match England’s efforts though, and clawed their way to a 6-0 advantage with a second penalty goal after half an hour. They were not deterred either when they lost flanker Justine Lavea to the sin-bin, and their No. 8 Casey Robertson minutes later.

England, however, didn’t take advantage of the two man advantage and in fact it was New Zealand that crossed for the one and only try of the afternoon. A well worked line-out in England’s 22, with a ruck following, saw the ball popped out to centre Amiria Rule who found a space and dived over the line. Mahony added the conversion to take a 13-0 lead into the break.

England came back out strongly and continued to threaten with some powerful runs by Saracens full back Charlotte Barras, and some great tackles by scrum half Amy Turner and flanker Maggie Alphonsi. Allan was also tight in defence but England had too much work to do, and dropped to a 16-0 deficit after another penalty goal on 46 minutes.

Vice captain Katy McLean had her first chance at goal on 57 minutes, but the wind proved the deciding factor for that kick. She was able to add three points minutes later, but a third kick also went astray on 66 minutes. Instead England held firm and kept pushing in attack, but their efforts went unrewarded.

Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

• Tweet
• Pin It

You may like

• 

  Rugby: Coverage of all five of England’s Six Nations on Sky Sports
  Rugby: Coverage of all five of England’s Six Nations on Sky Sports
• 

  Rugby star, Elinor Snowsill, shares her favourite recipe
  Rugby star, Elinor Snowsill, shares her favourite recipe
• 

  Rugby 7’s: Brian O’Driscoll and George Gregan on the Women’s game
  Rugby 7’s: Brian O’Driscoll and George Gregan on the Women’s game

You must be logged in to post a comment Login