2nd May 2004
 
The England women opened their first game at the 2004 FIRA European Championships in style with a 73 - 7 win over Italy at Beaumont de Lomagne, Toulouse today.
 
On a hot French afternoon England needed only eight minutes to break the Italian defence and score their first try from Worcester’s Kim Shaylor, her try was then converted by England’s Captain Shelley Rae. The England team then continued to roll through the Italian defence for the rest of the game, only allowing them to score seven points deep into the second half.
 
Hat tricks came from Shaylor and Penrith. Sue Day picked up two tries and Andrew, Fisher and Vetch one a piece to make it a very strong performance from the England team.
 
England’s head coach Danny Wilson commented, “it was a great performance from the team and helped to steady the nerves of some of the younger players. We are really looking forward to playing Wales on Wednesday and have our sights on the final on Saturday.”
 
Scorers Sequence
 
8 minutes Kim Shaylor  Try
9     “  Shelley Rae  Con
18   Kim Shaylor  Try
19  Shelley Rae  Con
20  Amber Penrith Try
21   Shelley Rae  Con
27  Amber Penrith Try
28  Shelley Rae  Con
36  Sue Day  Try
37  Shelley Rae  Con
 
Half Time – England 35 Italy 0
 
42  Amber Penrith Try
43  Shelley Rae  Con
52  Heather Fisher Try
55  Sue Day  Try
56  Karen Andrew Con
59  Kim Shaylor  Try
60  Karen Andrew Con
63   Shauna Vetch Try
73  Italy   Try
74  Italy   Con
79  Karen Andrew Try
80  Karen Andrew Con
 
Full Time – England 73 Italy 7
 
  
England Women's European Championship Team
15. Sue Day (Vice Captain) 
14. Kim Shaylor 
13. Vicky Masserella
12. Margaret Alphonsi
11. Amber Penrith
10. Shelley Rae (Captain)
9. Danielle Waterman
1. Rochelle Clark
2. Ann O'Flynn
3. Vanessa Gray
4. Helen Durman
5. Jenny Farmer
6. Heather Fisher
7. Sam Buckingham
8. Karen Jones