Red Roses beat Canada in Women's Rugby Super Series
The Red Roses made it two wins from two at the Women’s Rugby Super Series after a 19-17 victory over Canada Women in San Diego.
It was a tight opening quarter with no scoring in the first 20 minute, but it was the Canadians who got the first try when a series of pick and drives saw Tyson Beaukeboom go over. Those were the only points of the first 40 minutes encapsulating the tight encounter as Canada led 0-5.
Minutes into the second half, Canada were down to 14 players as Gabby Senft was sent to the sin bin for her off the ball challenge on Amber Reed, but a breakaway saw wing Paige Farries race in from her own half for a second try for the North Americans.
After a driving lineout maul by England was held up, from the resulting five-metre scrum a superb nudge by the forwards in white saw them awarded them a penalty try.
It was two tries in two minutes for the Red Roses as they took the lead for the first time when a slick backs move was worked to Kelly Smith who avoided two tacklers from inside her own half to race away – her second try of the tournament.
Canada responded when they worked the ball to the right wing for Farries to cross for her second, before Abbie Scott was sent to the sin bin for an accumulation of penalties by England.
England though were winning a number of scrum penalties in the second half as their finishers made an impact and put real pressure on the Canada line, which eventually saw Sara Svoboda sent to the bin following a cynical challenge with seven minutes remaining.
From that penalty it was another powerful scrum from five metres out that saw Sarah Hunter dot down off the back of it, but the missed conversion saw it sit 19-17 to England with five minutes to go where they held on for a narrow win.
The victory is England’s seventh in a row against the Canadians and they will next play France on Wednesday 10 July and then end the tournament against the world’s number one ranked side New Zealand on Sunday 14 July, with both matches available on Sky Sports.
Scoring
England – Tries: Penalty try, Smith, Hunter Cons: Scarrett
Canada – Tries: Beukeboom, Farries 2 Cons: Miller
Teams
England
15. Emily Scott 14. Carys Williams, 13. Millie Wood, 12. Amber Reed, 11. Kelly Smith, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Claudia Macdonald; 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Hannah Botterman, 4. Catherine O’Donnell, 5. Zoe Aldcroft, 6. Sarah Beckett, 7. Jo Brown, 8. Sarah Hunter (capt).
Finishers
16. Heather Kerr, 17. Ellena Perry, 18. Chloe Edwards, 19. Abbie Scott, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Leanne Riley, 22. Emily Scarratt, 23. Lydia Thompson.
Canada
15. Elissa Alarie, 14. Paige Farries, 13 Alexandra Tessier, 12. Sara Kaljuvee, 11. Alysha Corrigan, 10. Taylor Black, 9 Brianna Miller; 1. Olivia DeMerchant, 2. Laura Russell (capt), 3. DeLeaka Menin, 4. Tyson Buekeboom, 5. Jacey Grunswick, 6. Gabby Senft, 7. Janna Slevinsky 8. Sophie de Goede.
Replacements
16. Gillian Boag, 17. Maude Laliberte, 18. Veronica Harrigan, 19. Courtney Holtkamp, 20. Marie-Pier Fauteux, 21. Sara Svoboda, 22. Lori Josephson, 23. Anais Holly.
England’s Super Series 2019 fixtures
England 38-5 USA
England 19-17 Canada
England v France - Wednesday 10 July (Sky Sports Action, Mix and Main Event – KO 14:00 PDT/22:00 BST)
Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
England v New Zealand - Sunday 14 July (Sky Sports Action and Main Event – KO 13:00 PDT/21:00 BST)
San Diego State University’s Torero Stadium
