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Canada put the disappointment of missing out on the Semi Finals to bed as best they could with a one-sided 52-0 thrashing of Wales in their Women’s Rugby World Cup match in Belfast on Tuesday afternoon. In doing so they delivered the performance that Canadian fans were expecting in the earlier 15-0 win over the same opponents in the pool stage. Eight tries in all with none conceded saw them through in a dominant display of running rugby.
The power of the scrum set the platform with Olivia DeMerchant doing a number on her opposite from the get-go. With the Welsh pack driven backwards from a 5 metre scrum, Kelly Russell picked a passed to Brianna Miller who in turn put Elissa Alarie into the corner for the opening try. Miller was a late addition to the starting lineup after Lori Josephson withdrew shortly before kickoff, and the scrumhalf responded with an impressive performance including five from seven conversions.
Wales could do nothing to stop the scrum, the second score also coming from a 5 metre scrum. This time it was a Welsh put-in but the result was the same. The Canadian front row ran through the hapless Welsh, a desperate strike sent the ball flying out the back and Miller was the first to the ball.
A third try went to Cindy Nelles who was on hand with the follow-up after Russell looked to have grounded the ball at the base of the uprights. The fourth was one for the highlight reels. Latoya Blackwood stormed up the middle and offloaded from the deck to Miller. Julianne Zussman was there for the quick pass and somehow got the ball away to Alarie in the clear. The winger chipped over the last defender and regathered to the delight of Canadian fans in attendance.
The second half would offer no respite for the Welsh. Jacey Grusnick charged down a clearance and fell on the ball for an opportune try. Karen Paquin showed her class next, popping up outside Andrea Burk to create an overlap. The flanker sold a dummy and flew through a gap, clean past the outstretched arms of four would-be tacklers to touch down under the posts in a dazzling solo effort.
Canada brought in a fresh set of forwards just in time to hammer over again with the scrum. This time Wales collapsed and the referee marched under the sticks for a penalty try. The icing on the cake was a wide ball to veteran flanker Barb Mervin who stretched out just enough to touch down and bring on the half-century.
A date with Australia on Saturday will bring a close to Canada’s tournament. Queen’s University will be the venue once again with the winner ending in 5th place.
SCORING
CANADA 52
Tries – E. Alarie 2 (7’, 39’), B. Miller (28’), C. Nelles (35’), J. Grusnick (44’), K. Paquin (48’), Penalty try (56’), B. Mervin (73’)
Cons – B. Miller 5 (8’, 29’, 36’, 45’, 49’)
WALES 0
Yellow cards – S. Powell-Hughes (32’)
TEAMS
CANADA
1 Carolyn McEwen (17 Brittany Kassil 52’), 2 Laura Russell (16 Jane Kirby 52’), 3 Olivia DeMerchant (18 DaLeaka Menin 52’), 4 Cindy Nelles, 5 Latoya Blackwood, 6 Jacey Grusnick (19 Kayla Mack 56’), 7 Karen Paquin (20 Barb Mervin 56’), 8 Kelly Russell (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller (21 Chelsea Guthrie 56’), 10 Emily Belchos (23 Alex Tessier 54’), 11 Frédérique Rajotte, 12 Amanda Thornborough (22 Andrea Burk 46’), 13 Brittany Waters, 14 Elissa Alarie, 15 Julianne Zussman
WALES
1 Caryl Thomas (17 Gwenilian Pyrs 56’), 2 Carys Phillips (capt.) (16 Kelsey Jones 66’), 3 Amy Evans (18 Megan York 56’), 4 Rebecca Rowe (19 Siwan Lillicrap 46’), 5 Melissa Clay, 6 Alisha Butchers, 7 Rachel Taylor, 8 Sioned Harries (20 Shona Powell-Hughes 28’-42’, 58’), 9 Sian Moore (21 Keira Bevan 46’), 10 Elinor Snowsill (22 Robyn Wilkins 56’), 11 Elen Evans, 12 Hannah Jones, 13 Gemma Rowland, 14 Jess Kavanagh-Williams, 15 Dyddgu Hywel (23 Jodie Evans HT)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
Assistants: Cwengile Jadazweni (SARU) & Marie Lematte (FFR)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)
