Red Roses record win over Wales in Six Nations
The Red Roses continued their unbeaten run in the Six Nations, scoring nine tries in a 3-59 win over Wales in Cardiff.
In front of 8,862 fans at Cardiff Arms Park, tries from Lucy Packer, Tatyana Heard, Abby Dow, Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Ellie Kildunne, Maud Muir, Hannah Botterman and Sarah Beckett saw off an inspired Wales outfit, whose only points came via the boot of Keira Bevan.
Simon Middleton's side now sit top of the Six Nations Championship table, and will meet Ireland in round four of the competition next Saturday.
The Red Roses set a rampant pace to the Test, as an early strike move from a line out on the half way line saw Breach unleashed down the right flank. Subsequent quick ball had Wales on the back foot, but a handling error eased the pressure.
Having survived that early onslaught, the hosts showed their own ambition to the run the ball, keeping hold of possession and testing the English defence through powerful carries - spearheaded by prop Sisilia Tuipulotu - and Wales scrum half Bevan claimed the first points of the game, a straightforward penalty on the 14-minute mark, that saw Ioan Cunningham's charges take a 3-0 lead.
It took a while for England to get on the scoreboard, but scrum half Packer bagged the visitor's opening try on 26 minutes. Five metres out from the Welsh whitewash Bevan shot out of the defensive line, forcing Packer back inside towards the ruck, but the Harlequin avoided danger and spun her way over. Full back Sing converted the extras to give England a four-point advantage.
Aitchison provided Heard with a world class assist for England's second score 10 minutes later. Off the back of a dominant five-metre rolling maul, the fly half punched a well-weighted grubber behind the Welsh line, and Heard won the foot race to collect and dot down.
Dow summoned a world class finish from the half way line on the stroke of half time, as she rounded full back Courtney Keight with a stiff hand off, before sprinting down the left flank and evading four defenders en route to the try line. Sing added the extras out wide for a 3-19 lead at the break.
The half time stats showed a highly competitive affair: Wales making double the carries of England (65) and more possession (60%) but England boasting more defenders beaten (17) and making four more clean breaks.
Aitchison claimed the bonus-point try five minutes into the resumption, a neat wrap around with centre Lagi Tuima opened a hole for the fly half to attack, and the Saracen motored away, beating the final defender Lisa Neumann to go over.
The Red Roses began to show their attacking flair, as prop Sarah Bern broke away from half way before providing a fine offload into the path of the onrushing Breach, who cantered away unopposed to score England’s fifth - the converted effort handed them a 3-31 lead.
Ellie Kildunne was on the pitch for just two minutes before she bagged the Red Roses' sixth, converted by Tuima, as May Campbell entered the game to make her international debut.
Wales replacement Kate Williams was shown a yellow card as the hour mark approached, for making head contact with England captain Marlie Packer, and England took immediate advantage of the extra player, as replacement Muir powered over from close range under the sticks - giving Tuima the easiest of conversions for a 3-45 lead - and Botterman's try on 64 minutes mirrored Muir's, as England extended their lead to 49 points.
The Red Roses went down to 13 players, as captain Packer and Campbell were both sent to the sin bin for dangerous tackles, with just twelve minutes left in the Test. But still England refused to let Wales into the match, with Beckett bagging the ninth try and Tuima's extras confirming a famous 3-59 win.
Teams
England
Starting
15. Emma Sing, 14. Jess Breach, 13. Lagi Tuima, 12. Tatyana Heard, 11. Abby Dow, 10. Holly Aitchison, 9. Lucy Packer, 1. Mackenzie Carson, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Sarah Bern. 4. Zoe Aldcroft (VC), 5. Catherine O'Donnell, 6. Sadia Kabeya, 7. Marlie Packer (C), 8. Alex Matthews
Finishers
16. May Campbell, 17. Hannah Botterman, 18. Maud Muir, 19. Delaney Burns, 20. Sarah Beckett, 21. Ella Wyrwas, 22. Sarah McKenna, 23. Ellie Kildunne
Wales
Starting
15. Courtney Keight, 14. Lisa Neumann, 13. Hannah Jones, 12. Hannah Bluck, 11. Lowri Norkett, 10. Elinor Snowsill, 9. Keira Bevan, 1. Gwenllian Pyrs, 2. Kelsey Jones, 3. Sisilia Tuipulotu, 4. Abbie Fleming, 5. Georgia Evans, 6. Beth Lewis, 7. Alex Callender, 8. Sioned Harries.
Replacements
16. Carys Phillips, 17. Cara Hope, 18. Cerys Hale, 19. Natalia John, 20. Kate Williams, 21. Bryonie King, 22. Ffion Lewis, 23. Robyn Wilkins.
Fixtures & Results
Red Roses 58 - 7 Scotland
Wales 3 - 59 Red Roses
22 April - Ireland v Red Roses
29 April - Red Roses v France
