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A late try from England snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they edged Canada 19-17 at the Women’s Rugby Super Series in Chula Vista on Saturday. With a 5-0 lead at halftime, the Canadians were in front much of the match and came oh-so-close to beating the World Cup finalists.
After the opening quarter saw neither side able to score points, it was Canada to got the first and only try of the half. Sara Kaljuvee powered ahead and when the center was finally brought down, Tyson Beukeboom was on hand to pick and drive over the line.
Gabrielle Senft was binned for a tackle off the ball just a minute after the restart but it was the Canadians who would score next. A spilled ball was snatched up by Elissa Alarie, and the fullback weaved her way past three defenders before finding Paige Farries in full flight to finish a sensational 90-plus meter effort.
England’s forwards were the difference in November and showed their mettle again. Their maul went to work and after being held up, the scrum did the business as the penalty try was awarded when the Canadian pack spun off to the side.
Canada’s first phase defense let them down just a couple minutes later. Another huge England scrum earned advantage, and simple hands found Kelly Smith on the left wing. She slipped under one and skipped between two more for a 40-meter run-in that was converted by Emily Scarratt.
A second Farries try restored Canada’s lead. The forwards took it close to the line and through they were held short, there was space out wide with Alex Tessier showing good hands under pressure to find her winger left open on the right.
Team infringements resulted in a yellow card for Abbie Scott but Canada couldn’t capitalise on the advantage, and once back to full strength it was the Canadians who were left shorthanded as Sara Svoboda was dispatched for cynical play. The scrum did the rest, driving ahead until Sarah Hunter fell on the ball for the winning score.
With the win and New Zealand’s loss, England now have hopes of claiming a Super Series title but they must first beat Six Nations France on Wednesday afternoon. Canada will wrap up their tournament against hosts USA later that day.
SCORING
CANADA 17
Tries – T. Beukeboom (23′), P. Farries (43′, 58′)
Cons – S. de Goede 0/1, B. Miller 1/2 (44′)
Yellow cards – G. Senft (41′), S. Svoboda (73′)
ENGLAND 19
Tries – Penalty try (49′), K. Smith (52′), S. Hunter (75′)
Cons – E. Scarratt 1/2 (53′)
Yellow cards – A. Scott (60′)
TEAMS
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Laura Russell (capt.), 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Jacey Grusnick, 6 Gabrielle Senft, 7 Janna Slevinsky, 8 Sophie de Goede, 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Taylor Black, 11 Alysha Corrigan, 12 Sara Kaljuvee, 13 Alex Tessier, 14 Paige Farries, 15 Elissa Alarie
Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 18 Maude Laliberté, 18 Veronica Harrigan, 19 Courtney Holtkamp, 20 Marie-Pier Fauteux, 21 Sara Svoboda, 22 Lori Josephson, 23 Anaïs Holly
ENGLAND
1 Vickii Cornborough, 2 Lark Davies, 3 Hannah Botterman, 4 Cath O’Donnell, 5 Zoe Aldcroft, 6 Sarah Beckett, 7 Jo Brown, 8 Sarah Hunter (capt.), 9 Claudia Macdonald, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Kelly Smith, 12 Amber Reed, 13 Millie Wood, 14 Carys Williams, 15 Emily Scott
Replacements: 16 Heather Kerr, 17 Ellena Perry, 18 Chloe Edwards, 19 Abbie Scott, 20 Poppy Cleall, 21 Leanne Riley, 22 Emily Scarratt, 23 Lydia Thompson
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Amy Perrett (ARU)
Assistants: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR) & Kat Roche (USAR)
