USA, led by their influential back row Phaidra Knight were able were able to defeat their Irish counterparts by a margin of 24 – 11, securing the all important bonus point in the process.
The USA started the game quickly, showing the skill and aggression that had pushed England so close last week. The opening 10 minutes were played at a frenetic pace that the Irish struggled to keep up with. The pressure immediately from the kick off resulted in an early score for Knight from good work from her forward pack giving her the chance to drive over.
Only 10 minutes later the US were able to break the Irish try line again with more good work from the forwards resulting in a push over from the second row Erin Carter. Field position was a result of good work from fly half Kristin Baja and strong running from hard running Ashley English.
The Irish at this stage were certainly not down and out and began to play with the passion and vigour that the Irish are known for and gradually pulled themselves back into the game with some strong running from full back Jo O’Sullivan and outside centre Lynne Cantwell. With consistent possession Ireland were able to slot over a penalty just before half time, converted by Grave Davitt for a half time score of 14 – 3 to the USA.
The second half began much as the first had, with the USA getting on top early resulting in a try for fly half Baja within two minutes of the restart. Again though the Irish were able to strike back at their rivals and were able to piece together their best part of the match, keeping the ball for long periods of time and capitalising on penalties given away by the US team.
The pressure from the Irish team paid off shortly after US number seven Knight was yellow carded for an infringement on the floor. The extra player proved too much for the USA and Ireland were able to punish them with a well worked score for prop Gillian McAllister.
With the game now under threat from the Irish, the US pushed forward and searched for the fourth and all important try, which would give them the bonus point. It finally came exactly one minute before the end of the game with the re-introduced Knight going over for her second try.
The final score of 24 -11 means that the US are still in the hunt for the semi-finals with an all important game against Australia to come on Thursday with the winner more than likely going through. As for the Irish, they continue to search for their first win in the tournament and will hope that comes against South Africa later in the week.
Quotes
USA Captain Jen Crouse: ‘We started with the same intensity as the England game, but we made the same mistakes again not adjusting to the referee.’
USA fly half Kristin Baja: ‘We need to sharpen up going into the Australia game and improve once more to stand a chance of moving on, we need to get everyone together and on the same page.’
USA Coach Kathy Flores: ‘I am very disappointed with the performance, especially the mental concentration, the penalty count was far too high, we will certainly be training tomorrow.’
Ireland Coach Phillip Doyle: ‘We were very aware of how hard our draw was, we massively improved since the France game and we must do the same again now, but the South Africans are there for the taking, let’s hope for some of that famous Irish luck.’
Ireland Prop Fiona Coghlan: ‘We must keep moving forward and keep improving and we have a chance of making the middle tier of the tournament.’