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England Women Win Nations Cup 2009
By Kath
August 23 2009
England Women Win Nations Cup ENGLAND Women completed their Nations Cup campaign with a 100 per cent record after an impressive victory over hosts Canada at Fletchers Field in Toronto.
England Women Win Nations Cup
 
ENGLAND Women completed their Nations Cup campaign with a 100 per cent record after an impressive victory over hosts Canada at Fletchers Field in Toronto.

England had already won the tournament but they produced a performance that delighted the coaching team of Gary Street and Graham Smith despite miserable weather conditions.

The match was played in driving rain and a strong wind but England still scored four tries to claim the bonus point and retained the ball superbly.

 
"The girls deserve great credit today for a great performance in such difficult conditions," said Head Coach Street.

"The key was our strong defence. Allied to this our game management was excellent playing in the right areas at the right times. The tour has been a tremendous success overall and we are now looking forward to the start of the season and the challenges to come."

England now face three back-to-back Tests against World champions in November ahead of their defence of the RBS Six Nations title in the New Year.

England played well with the wind advantage in the first half and dominated not allowing Canada into the game, breaking down some stubborn defence from their hosts to score three tries before the break and open up a 17-0 lead.

England took the lead after ten minutes when the ball was moved left from a midfield scrum and quick ball from the ruck allowed Jo McGilchrist ti put Kat Merchant over for the opening try.

England extended their lead after 23 minutes when a blindside move from a scrum saw Heather Fisher make an excellent break before she gave the scoring pass to Fiona Pocock.

Sarah Hunter crossed for the third try after 31 minutes when number eight Cath Spencer picked up and drove towards the line and Hunter followed up to score. Katie McLean added the conversion with her only successful kick in the difficult conditions.

Canada denied England for another 30 minutes but the bonus point was secured with a superb individual try from Rachel Burford who broke several tackles in a long run to the line.

England's well-organised defence denied Canada the opportunity for a consolation try and the last five minutes were played with uncontested scrums after prop Rochelle Clark was yellow carded.

England conceded only two tries during the round-robin Nations Cup and did not concede a point in their last two matches.

"I am delighted with the way the forwards performed today and I think it was one of the strongest performances that we have seen in a long time," said assistant coach Smith.

The USA finished second in the table after the ended their campaign with a 15-15 draw with France who finished third. Canada were fourth and South Africa fifth.

England Women
15 Danielle Waterman (Team Northumbria)
14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)
12 Alice Richardson (Richmond)
11 Fiona Pocock (Richmond)
10 Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
9 Amy Turner (Richmond)
1 Rochelle Clark (Team Northumbria)
2 Amy Garnett (Saracens)
3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol)
4 Rebecca Essex (Richmond)
5 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps)
6 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)
7 Heather Fisher (Wasps)
8 Catherine Spencer (Bristol - captain)
Replacements:
16 Olivia Poore (Lichfield) for Garnett 68 minutes
17 Katy Storie (Team Northumbria) for Hemming 50 minutes
18 Karen Jones (Richmond) for Fisher 63 minutes
19 Charlotte Barras (Saracens) for Merchant 50 minutes
20 George Rozario (Plymouth Albion) for Turner 68 minutes
21 Rachael Burford (Saracens) for Richardson 55 minutes
22 Claire Allan (Saracens) for Pocock 55 minutes

Results:

England v USA, August 10. WON 36-7
England v France, August 13. WON 43-8
England v South Africa, August 19. WON 25-0
England v Canada, August 22. WON 22-0
 

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England Women Win Nations Cup 2009
Posted by: Unofficial England Rugby Union (IP Logged)
Date: 23/08/2009 11:58

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