Sasha Acheson drives forward for England at the Stoop
England Women backed up Saturday's win against France with a convincing 32-3 victory against Canada at the Twickenham Stoop to round off their autumn series.
The visitors more than played their part but two tries from prop Sophie Hemming and one from Lydia
Thompson gave England the platform for victory, while Katy McLean's boot added another 17 points.
The forwards, led by the relentless work rate of hooker Vicky Fleetwood and flanker Marlie Packer, pinned Canada back for long periods and McLean's accurate boot made them pay.
England started brightly and were rewarded for the endeavour and intensity of the forward pack with two early penalties from captain McLean to make it 6-0 with 14 minutes played.
Canada hit back from England's restart as fly-half Jackie Tittley halved the deficit with a well-struck penalty to make it 6-3.
But it was England who scored the first try of the game after 20 minutes when McLean sent a kickable penalty to the corner.
The line-out inside the Canadian 22 was gathered by Rowena Burnfield before prop Hemming rumbled over for her third international try to make it 11-3.
Excellent vision from McLean set up England's second try, the Darlington Mowden Park Sharks number 10 sent a cross-field kick over the Canadian back line which was safely gathered by wing Thompson who touched down in the corner.
McLean's touchline conversion gave England a 15-point cushion at 18-3 and she added another penalty just before the break to make it 21-3 at half-time.
England flew out of blocks in the second half and great work from the forwards pushed the Canadian pack backwards which allowed Hemming space to touch down in an almost carbon-copy of her first try.
Both sides were reduced to 14 as the half wore on, first Canada's Karen Paquin was sent to the sin-bin and then England's Burnfield was given her 10-minute marching orders.
A fifth penalty from McLean made it 32-3 with 15 minutes to play and despite a late onslaught from Canada, England held out for their first win against Canada in three attempts.
Post a Comment