England edge Canada in Christchurch thriller

Canada came up just short to England in a thrilling back-and-forth game at Rugby Park in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Monday evening (Tuesday afternoon local time). The final score read 27-20 in favor of the world champions but Canada had every opportunity to win and can come away knowing they are very much in the picture at the World Cup in August.

A strange opening saw Canada attempting to play a tactical kicking game and it did not work out as planned. England won a ball against the head at the scrum and from their own end Lydia Thompson tore down the right side. She was eventually lassoed by the cover defense but the ball was recycled and a couple phases later Abbie Scott touched down at the base of the post for the first try. Emily Scarratt nailed the easy conversion and England were away.

The kicking strategy was swiftly discarded and with ball in the Canadian attack started to make inroads. An offside penalty gave Magali Harvey a routine shot at goal and she made no mistake, splitting the uprights to open Canada’s account. It was England who won the restart, however, and simple hands put Thompson in space again. This time no help was needed as she raced into the corner for England’s second try.

In an equally swift response Canada turned up the heat. Kelly Russell drove through the middle carrying two defenders with her but was stopped short. Their patience was then rewarded when Carolyn McEwen squeezed over from close range and Harvey’s conversion made it a full seven points.

The next 20 minutes would see Canada in control but small errors and resolute English defense kept them from turning pressure into points. England eventually worked their way out of danger and on the stroke of half-time Scarratt landed a three-pointer to make the score 15-10 in favor of the Red Roses.

Both sides came out with ambition in the second half. England earned a 5-metre lineout but botched the transfer and Canada cleared but didn’t find touch. Danielle Waterman made a half-break and a penalty gave Scarratt a chance to extend the lead but this time she was off-target. From the restart England attacked again and out of nowhere a flying Karen Paquin latched onto a loose pass and sprinted 80 metres untouched for a try. Harvey’s extras gave Canada the lead for the first time.

England would have none of it, however, and as earlier replied without much fussing. It was Thompson once more who did the damage, this time shaking off two tacklers and stepping past what seemed like half the Canadian side for a sensational individual score that restored England’s lead. It was a lead they would not relinquish.

Harvey knocked over her fourth successful kick of the game but as if written by script England hit back immediately with a try. A loose pass ricocheted off a Canadian hand and the bounce of the ball favored Scarratt. The rangy centre bounced a wide ball to Kay Wilson and the replacement winger touched down in the corner to secure a seven-point lead.

Canada launched furious attacks at the English line in the final quarter but again couldn’t quite stick the final pass. As the clock showed full-time the relentless assault continued until at last England won a turnover at the breakdown and sent the ball into touch to end a hugely entertaining game of rugby.

The final round of the International Women’s Rugby Series comes on Saturday when Canada face Australia at Smallbone Park in Rorotua in what will be the final tune-up before the biggest stage of all – the World Cup – arrives in August.

 

SCORING

CANADA 20
Tries – C. McEwen (20’), K. Paquin (50’)
Cons – M. Harvey 2/2 (21’, 51’)
Pens – M. Harvey 2/3 (16’, 58’)

ENGLAND 27
Tries – A. Scott (10’), L. Thompson 2 (17’, 55’), K. Wilson (60’)
Pens – E. Scarratt 1/2 (40’)
Cons – E. Scarratt 2/4 (11’, 56’)

 

TEAMS

CANADA
1 Carolyn McEwen, 2 Laura Russell, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Kayla Mack, 6 Jacey Grusnick, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Kelly Russell (capt.), 9 Lori Josephson, 10 Alex Tessier, 11 Elissa Alarie, 12 Emily Belchos, 13 Amanda Thornborough, 14 Magali Harvey, 15 Julianne Zussman

Replacements: 16 Kristy Sargent, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Olivia DeMerchant, 19 Cindy Nelles, 20 Barb Mervin, 21 Chelsea Guthrie, 22 Brittany Waters, 23 Frédérique Rajotte

ENGLAND
1 Rochelle Clark, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Justine Lucas, 4 Emily Braund, 5 Abbie Scott, 6 Harriet Millar-Mills, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Sarah Hunter (capt.), 9 LaToya Mason, 10 Amber Reed, 11 Sarah McKenna, 12 Megan Jones, 13 Emily Scarratt, 14 Lydia Thompson, 15 Danielle Waterman

Replacements: 16 Vicky Fleetwood, 17 Vickii Cornborough, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Izzy Noel-Smith, 20 Alex Matthews, 21 Leanne Riley, 22 Katy Mclean, 23 Kay Wilson

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Graham Cooper (ARU)
Assistants: Rebecca Mahoney (NZRU) & Natasha Ganley (NZRU)