In a match that could have meant as much for those not playing as for the two teams on the field, England has come away with a convincing victory over perennial rivals France with a score of 27-8.
The scoring was opened by England’s wing Danielle Waterman in the corner, who was fortunate to be in the right place to receive the ball after the French defence had knocked down some of her team mates in the drive that set up her final push.
England were then awarded two consecutive penalties at 15 and 20 minutes in quite similar spots just over the 22m line. The first kick by fly half Karen Andrew sailed through the uprights – the second though it had the distance, was pushed just left of the posts. The score after 20 minutes read England 8 France 0.
After repeated pressure on the French defence, England, showing their dominance up front, drove a scrum forward from 5m out where number 8 Cath Spencer quickly picked up and set up second phase ball to the right of the scrum. The ball moved quickly through the hands and found its way to familiar territory in the hands of England winger Danielle Waterman who would score her second of the match in the opposite corner. The conversion was missed, leaving England up 13-0.
The second half started much like the first, with England pouring on the offensive pressure. In the fifth minute of play centre Sue Day, who had been supporting well by coming round on the right wing, touched down to take the score to 18-0. A very challenging conversion from near the touchline was successful. England now lead 20-0.
The French were determined in defence, but just did not seem up to the task of holding off the powerful forwards from England. Just seven minutes after her previous score, Day again touched down for a try, this time just left of the posts running in from the left touchline just inside the 10m line. Karen Andrew again converted the score and brought the tally to 27-0 just under half way through the second half.
At 21 minutes in to the half, France had their first opportunity to get on the scoreboard with a penalty from just outside the 22m, but the attempt went wide of the posts.
The plucky French team would not be held off the board much longer. In the 37th minute when the players must have already used up their second wind, France were rewarded with their only try of the match, courtesy of very strong finish by wing Fanny Horta on the far right touchline. The conversion was missed, and the score was now 27-5.
Though France continued to press to the final whistle, the referee advised that full time was almost up, and on the final penalty call of the game France elected to kick for posts and salvage what they could from the game. The kick was good, and with that, the final whistle blew and the score line ended up 27-8 for England.
Next up for England – hosts Canada in the semi finals.
Quotes
England coach Geoff Richards (on the semi against Canada): “ We expect a fierce battle against Canada. Playing on your home soil can be a big advantage. They had a disappointing game against New Zealand, but they got better and better, and we are looking forward to a hard game.”