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England Women Under 19s kicked-off their season with a comprehensive win over tourists, the USA, running in five tries on Sunday at RAF Halton, near Aylesbury.
The victory hands England’s young-guns a solid platform to work from ahead of two back-to-back internationals against Canada next month.
Wing Helen Price put England into a 5-0 lead after just seven minutes after some well worked moves by the forwards. The backs moved the ball into the mid-field and a great break by Price saw the wing beat two defenders to make the try-line. Leicester’s Emily Scarratt missed the conversion, but the fullback soon made amends with her own converted try just before the break.
Scarratt’s important score came after the USA bounced back to draw level with England on 13 minutes following a costly mistake by the home side. An intercepted pass from the back of an England scrum saw US fullback Jessica Watkins pounce on the ball and charge 70 metres up-field to score under the posts. Karen Hunt converted to take the US 7-5 ahead, but that was where the visitors charge ended.
Scarratt took England into a 12-7 lead on 22 minutes after a break from Old Albanians Saints Sarah McKenna. The fly-half moved the ball out-wide to Scarratt who dived over the try-line from close range. Scarratt stroked over the conversion.
A 29th minute try for Cullumpton Ladies flanker Isabelle Noel Smith handed England a healthy ten point cushion at the break. Morpeth scrum-half Rachel Fraser took a quick tap penalty to take the US by surprise and the forwards drove the ball deep into the US’ 22. Noel Smith finished off the move well by driving in from the back of the maul.
England continued to dominate after the restart with their fourth try and Price’s second. The score came courtesy of some great inter-play between the backs and the forwards which finally saw McKenna setting up Price, who beat two US defenders to score.
Scarratt converted before substitute Jenny Mills touched down for England’s final try on 65 minutes. It was again another quick tap penalty that saw England gain the upper hand. The move was then driven on by the forwards and Mills picked-up just short of the try-line to drive over and score.
Gary Street, England Under 19s Programme Manager, said: “I am delighted with this result. We enjoyed an excellent first-half especially. The US were a very committed and passionate side, but suffered through a lack of experience.
“England were well led by captain Laura Keates and all the girls should be proud of themselves. This is a promising start to the future for England’s young players. Importantly, they now have a solid base to work from ahead of our two tough games against Canada.”
England Under 19s play Canada Under 19s at RAF Halton on April 4th and on Easter Sunday (April 8th).
England Under 19s:
1 Laura Keates (Worcester RFC) (Captain), 2 Hannah Clark (Old Albanian Saints), 3 Vicky Cornborough (Petersfield RFC), 4 Lucinda Howland (Folkestone RFC), 5 Robyn Steward (Coalville Ladies RFC), 6 Isabelle Noel Smith (Cullumpton Ladies RFC), 7 Kate Hall (Blaydon RFC) (VC), 8 Juliet Short (Tyndale Panthers), 9 Rachel Fraser (Morpeth RFC), 10 Sarah McKenna ( Old Albanian Saints), 11 Georgina Crabb (Camberley RFC), 12 Emma Hill (Coalville Ladies RFC), 13 Fran Matthews (Blaydon RFC), 14 Helen Price, 15 Emily Scarratt (Leicester Forest RFC). Replacements: 16 Jenny Mills (Worcester RFC), 17 Dawn Avery (Cullumpton Ladies), 18 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond RFC), 19 Louise Leonard ( Blaydon RFC), 20 Sarah Guest (Worcester RFC), 21 Katie Pittaway (Worcester RFC), 22 Liz Tilley (Bath RFC).
Tries: Price (2), Scarratt, Noel Smith, Mills
Penalties:
Conversions: Scarratt (3)
Substitutions: McKenna off for Pittaway (35), Fraser off for Guest (40), Price off for Tilley (45), Steward off for Burnfield (45), Noel Smith off for Leonard (45), Cornborough off for Avery (47), Clark off for Mills).
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