Canada batter England in Utah

Canada sent shockwaves reverberating through the tournament with a stunning performance that saw them wallop defending World Cup champions England by a score of 52-17 on Friday in the first round of the Women’s Rugby Super Series. A remarkable first half saw them cross for five tries in a mesmerising display of attacking rugby.

Chelsea Guthrie scored just minutes into the game after an Emily Belchos line break, an ominous sign that proved prophetic. Andrea Burk added the extras and slotted her first penalty goal to put Canada quickly into double digits. Next is was the speed of Frédérique Rajotte, on debut, to slice open the defense, the move ending with Barb Marvin over the line and Canada three scores ahead.

It was nearly a double for Guthrie just past the first quarter but the scrumhalf was held up. Mary-Jane Kirby had better luck soon after at the end of some phase play starting from a five-metre scrum. By the time 30 minutes ticked over on the clock Belchos had added Canada’s fourth try, and by the half it was 39-0 with another 10 coming via Julianne Zussman’s try and two Burk kicks after Harriet Millar-Mills had been sent to the bin.

What might have been said in the England change room at the half is anyone’s guess, but it surely didn’t include conceding another try to Zussman, who weaved her way through an outstretched England defense to score right out of the gate. At 44-0 the contest was over, if it wasn’t well before, but England – to their credit – did not give up.

With the result a foregone conclusion and the high altitude, as well as the frantic pace, taking its toll, Canada let up somewhat and England crept onto the score sheet. Katie Mason took the outside route to the line to erase the goose-egg, and then centre Millie Wood blazed away for a try on debut. Bianca Blackburn added one for pride but Canada took one more of their own through Katie McNally before the final whistle.

A classic derby match is up next for this hyper-confident Canadian side as they face the USA on Tuesday. England will look to get back on track against France

CANADA 52
Tries – C. Guthrie, B. Mervin, M. Kirby, E. Belchos, J. Zussman 2, K. McNally
Cons – A. Burk 4
Pens – A. Burk 3

ENGLAND 17
Tries – K. Mason, M. Wood, B. Blackburn
Cons – C. Large
Yellow cards – H. Millar-Mills

CANADA
1 Carolyn McEwen 2 Mary-Jane Kirby 3 DaLeaka Menin 4 Laura Russell (capt.) 5 Kayla Mack 6 Barbara Mervin 7 Latoya Blackwood 8 Jacey Murphy 9 Chelsea Guthrie 10 Emily Belchos 11 Frédérique Rajotte 12 Andrea Burk 13 Alex Tessier 14 Brittany Waters 15 Julianne Zussman

16 Demi Stamatakis 17 Olivia DeMerchant 18 Tyson Beukeboom 19 Fabiola Forteza 20 Katie Svoboda 21 Brianna Miller 22 Anaïs Holly 23 Katie McNally

ENGLAND
1 Rochelle Clark 2 Amy Cokayne 3 Vickii Cornborough 4 Courtney Gill 5 Tamara Taylor 6 Harriet Millar-Mills 7 Izzy Noel-Smith 8 Sarah Hunter (capt.) 9 LaToya Mason 10 Amber Reed 11 Lotte Clapp 12 Ceri Large 13 Millie Wood 14 Lydia Thompson 15 Katie Mason

16 Lark Davies 17 Heather Kerr 18 Laura Keates 19 Alex Matthews 20 Poppy Leitch 21 Bianca Blackburn 22 Lauren Cattell 23 Fiona Pocock

Referee: Leah Berard (USAR)