A crowd in excess of 1200 people witnessed England move a step closer to retaining the championship, but they will have to get past France at home next weekend.

The game started well with a try by Nicki Jupp within the first two minutes, which was converted by Karen Andrew. Andrew scored her first international try at the end of the first half and scored 13 points in total."

The fly half commented: "That was my first try for England and I felt I kicked alright, but the wind played a major factor in the game. Wales realised they had the wind with them and attacked in the second half, but we defended very well. We really wanted to come out and show the crowd how good we are."

Wales' young side struggled against the experienced England, who now have their minds focused on the game against the French next week.

Head Coach Geoff Richards commented: "I was pleased with the performance despite the disruption during the week with injuries to Maxine Edwards and Claire Frost, my two first choice captains. The team adjusted well to the windy conditions. The new players stood up well and coped under the pressure. Next weekend will be a winner takes all game, and we go there very focussed remembering what happened there two years ago when we lost the championship in France."

Georgia Stevens picked up her 50th cap today and there were new caps for Vanessa Gray and Catherine Spencer, who had a dream start to her England international career with a try in the 82nd minute.

-ends-

Scoring Sequence:

Min      Scorer
2          Jupp              Try    5-0
2          Andrew            Conv   7-0
11        Cooke              Try    12-0
12        Andrew            Conv    14-0
20        Crawford         Try      19-0
25                                  19-3     Saunders (Wal)            Pen
32        Huxford            Try    24-3
33        Andrew            Conv    26-3
36        Cooke              Try    31-3
37        Andrew            Try     38-3
42        Andrew            Conv    40-3

Half Time Score 40-3

42        Jupp                 Try       43-3
56        Clayton            Try       48-3
82        Spencer            Try       53-3

Scorers:
Karen Andrew             13
Nicki Jupp               10
Emily Cooke              10
Nicky Crawford           5
Helen Clayton            5
Catherine Spencer        5

England Team:
15 Paula George           Wasps
14 Nicky Crawford      Worcester
13 Nicki Jupp               Richmond
12 Assunta De Biase    Saracens
11 Emily Cooke           Richmond
10 Karen Andrew        Saracens
9  Jo Yapp                   Worcester VICE CAPT
1  Sharon Whitehead    Richmond
2  Amy Garnett Saracens
3  Vanesa Huxford       Wasps
4  Jenny Lyne               Saracens
5  Claire Green Wasps
6  Helen Flippance        Richmond
7  Helen Clayton           Saracens CAPT
8  Georgia Stevens       Clifton

Replacements
16 Selena Rudge          Worcester
17 Vanessa Gray          Wasps
18 Jenny Sutton            Richmond
19 Catherine Spencer   Folkestone      
20 Susie Appleby         Clifton
21 Shelley Rae Wasps
22 Kim Shaylor            Worcester

England play France in the final match of the 2004 Championship on 27th March at Bourg-en-Bresse, near Lyon.