May 30th, 2006

England Women were unable to defend their FIRA European 7s title this Bank Holiday weekend in Limoges, France and instead had to settle for second-place after a narrow 10-7 defeat to Wales in the final.

The team of young internationals, who were led by Wasps’ Amy Turner, were hoping to secure a hat-trick of titles, but Wales, who fielded a squad of first team internationals, proved too strong in South West France.

England romped their way into the FIRA Cup final with a 41-0 win over Germany, a 47-0 win over Switzerland and a 7-0 win over Wales in the pool stages.

A 22-0 quarter-final triumph over Portugal booked England’s place in the semi-final, where they met Ireland.

A penalty try and touchdowns from Worcester’s Alice Richardson and Thirsk’s Jo Watmore, as well as three conversions from Richardson eased England into the final where they met Wales again.

Their rivals, determined to avenge that earlier pool defeat, bounced back in style and led England 5-0 at the break. England responded by going 7-5 up after the restart with a Richardson try and conversion, but Wales again turned the tables when they kicked long into England’s half. A penalty handed Wales the advantage and they moved the ball out-wide to score the tournament winning try with just three minutes to go.

Gary Street, RFUW Academy Coach, said: “We are obviously very disappointed that we failed to retain our title, but it was always going to be a tough challenge with Wales fielding a first team of seasoned internationals.

“We are a young squad with the majority of our players coming from the England Students and Under 19s teams so to have done this well, only conceding ten points and taking Wales to the wire in the final, is still a great achievement which in turn has given all the girls some invaluable experience.”

England 7s squad:

Claire Allan     Worcester
Sarah Beale     Leos
Rachael Burford     Henley
Tina Lee      Richmond
Lois Moulding     Worcester
Alice Richardson     Worcester
Georgina Roberts    Avon
Ellen Small     Waterloo
Amy Turner     Wasps
Jo Watmore     Thirsk

England 7s results:

Pool Games:
Germany   - Won 41-0
Tries: Turner (2); Beale (2); Burford, Watmore, Small.
Con: Burford (1); Richardson (1).

Switzerland - Won 47-0
Tries: Moulding (3); Roberts (2); Lee, Allan.
Con: Richardson (3); Turner (2) Small (1)

Wales - Won 7-0  
Tries: Burford,
Con: Burford
 
Quarter-final    
Portugal – Won 22-0
Tries:  Allan, Richardson, Watmore, Beale. 
Con. Richardson (1)
 
Semi-final
Ireland - Won 21-0 
Tries: Richardson, Watmore, Penalty Try.
Con: Richardson (3)
 
Final
Wales  - Lost 10-7  
Tries: Richardson
Con: Richardson

Ends…