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England out-wrestled France in Round 2 of the Women’s Rugby Super Series, scoring on the last play to steal a 17-13 win in a hard-fought contest in Salt Lake City on Tuesday. The first half was a near-deadlock, with neither side conceding much if anything in defense and the only points coming by way of the boot.
The left foot of Camille Boudaud landed a penalty goal at the 12-minute mark to gave France the edge, one they would hold through to the break. Boudaud exchanged kicks with Amber Reed to leave it 6-3. It was physical and intense, with each struggling to find their way through the forest of tacklers.
No further score would come until well into the second half, when Ceri Large broke through at last to give England their first lead of the match. That score held until Emilie Mathieu squeaked over from close range after a series of pick-and-gos on the line. Boudaud’s extras put France up by a penalty goal.
It was win or nothing for England, however, as they turned down a shot at goal in favor of going for the try. The gamble paid off in the same manner that had worked for the French. Zoe Aldcroft got over the line and with a little help from Tamara Taylor managed to dot the ball down for the win.
France will wonder what-if until they close their tournament against Canada on Saturday, while England will look to end their American stay on a high as they face hosts USA in Round 3.
ENGLAND 17
Tries – C. Large (57), Z. Aldcroft (80)
Cons – A. Reed 2 (58, 80)
Pens – A. Reed (32)
FRANCE 13
Tries – E. Mathieu (70)
Cons – C. Boudaud (71)
Pens – C. Boudaud 2 (12, 29)
ENGLAND
1 Rochelle Clark 2 Amy Cokayne 3 Laura Keates 4 Harriet Millar-Mills 5 Tamara Taylor 6 Alex Matthews 7 Poppy Leitch 8 Sarah Hunter (capt.) 9 LaToya Mason 10 Amber Reed 11 Katie Mason 12 Ceri Large 13 Lauren Cattell 14 Lydia Thompson 15 Fiona Pocock
16 Lark Davies 17 Vickii Cornborough 18 Sarah Bern 19 Zoe Aldcroft 20 Izzy Noel-Smith 21 Bianca Blackburn 22 Millie Wood 23 Lotte Clapp
FRANCE
1 Maïlys Traoré 2 Manon Bigot 3 Patricia Carricaburu 4 Manon André 5 Audrey Forlani 6 Pauline Soulard 7 Victoria Grière 8 Safi N’Diaye (capt.) 9 Laure Sansus 10 Camille Imart 11 Caroline Boujard 12 Camille Boudaud 13 Elodie Poublan 14 Camille Cabalou 15 Laura Delas
16 Agathe Sochat 17 Laure Clermidy 18 Julie Duval 19 Emilie Mathieu 20 Romane Ménager 21 Yanna Rivoalen 22 Audrey Abadie 23 Carla Neissen
Referee: Sherry Trumbull (RC)
