By George Wellbelove
England kicked off their WXV campaign with a great 21-61 victory over the USA. With nine tries and a showing full of flair and perfect execution, John Mitchell’s side showed their credentials as the world’s best, as they put their opponents to the sword.
England started shakily as a couple of handling errors cost them strong attacking positions
Sarah Bern was able to put in a crunching tackle as the USA tried to gain an early foothold in
the game. The Red Roses soon turned the tide as Lark Atkin-Davies slid over from short range. A neat lineout front peel resulted in a superb pass from Bern, leaving the hooker with the simplest of tasks to put the ball down.
The world’s ranked number one side were then able to increase their score as the ever-impressive Ellie Kildunne exploited a huge amount of space in front of her. Starting in her
own half, the full back left five USA defenders in her wake to score her eleventh try of the
season. The USA finally found their groove and clawed the scoreline back in their favour.
Alev Kelter scored a wonder try of her own with a chip. She regathered and stepped a couple English defenders to power to the line. With the USA firmly back in the game, Kelter had a moment to forget as she spilt a simple pass, giving the ball back to England. In the subsequent phase, Georgia Brock strolled in to restore their fourteen point lead with half time looming.
However, England were not finished there. A strong carry from Phoebe Murray gave the Red
Roses the platform to get their opponents on the back-foot. Zoe Harrison found captain Alex
Matthews, who threw an audacious dummy to crash over.
The second half started in a ferocious manner as the USA were able to gain forward momentum through Rachel Johnson. A string of phases on England’s line culminated in Kelter crashing over for her second of the match.
Nana Fa’avesi was then able to keep England under pressure after the game restarted with a
huge fend on Kildunne. England would then respond well with Bo Westcombe-Evans scoring on her debut. A huge scrum from the Red Roses and a combination of great running lines gave Jess Breach space to pass to Westcombe-Evans who beat her opposite winger to the corner.
The USA would continue to probe England’s defence through multiple hard lines, most notably from Keia Mae Sagapolu. Captain Kate Zackary capitalised on their smart attacking play as she broke through a tackle to reach out from short range. Mckenzie Hawkins added the extras to reduce the deficit.
With the second half shaping up to be a topsy-turvy affair, it was England’s turn to attack. Only a forward pass would deny Westcombe-Evans her second try of the match. A mere minute later, Morwenna Talling would score a pick and go as she drove through the USA defence. Then just a couple more minutes later, England would extend their lead.
Replacements Helena Rowland and Holly Aitchison manipulated the defence to send Breach sprinting through to record her forty third test try in forty one caps. Kildunne would soon record her second try of the match to take the Red Roses over fifty points. Quick ball from Lucy Packer landed in the hands of Maddie Feaunati, who skillfully offloaded to the full back.
England were not done there however, as Ella Wrywas read a pass to intercept much to her
delight. Harrison would add the conversion to cap off an excellent display off the tee.
The USA had glimpses of spark and promise throughout the game but ultimately were no match for the world’s number one team.
USA: 21
Tries: (Kelter 32’, 45’, Zackary 57’)
Conversions: (Hawkins 32’, 45’, 58’)
Penalties: 0
Drop Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 0
Red Cards: 0
USA STARTING XV: 15. Bulou Mataitoga 14. Cheta Emba 13. Emily Henrich 12. Alev Kelter 11. Kris Thomas 10. Mckenzie Hawkins 9. Taina Tukuafu 1. Hope Rogers 2. Kathryn Treder 3. Charli Jacoby 4. Erica Jarrell 5. Hallie Taufoou 6. Tahlia Brody 7. Kate Zackary (Captain) 8. Rachel Johnson
Replacements: 16. Paige Stathopoulos 17. Catie Benson 18. Keia Mae Sagapolu 19. Emerson Allen 20. Rachel Ehrecke 21. Sophie Pryz 22. Nana Fa’avesi 23. Tess Feury
England: 61
Tries: (Davies 12’, Kildunne 14’, 77’, Brock 37’, Matthews 40’, Westcombe-Evans 50’, Talling
68’, Breach 74’, Wyrwas 80’)
Conversions: (Harrison 12’, 14’, 37’, 40’, 68’, 74’, 77’, 80’)
Penalties: 0
Drop Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 0
Red Cards: 0
ENGLAND STARTING XV: 15. Ellie Kildunne 14. Bo Westcombe-Evans 13. Emily Scarratt 12. Phoebe Murray 11. Jess Breach 10. Zoe Harrison 9. Lucy Packer 1. Mackenzie Carson 2. Lark Atkin-Davies 3. Sarah Bern 4. Rosie Galligan 5. Abbie Ward 6. Morwenna Talling 7. Georgia Brock 8. Alex Matthews (Captain)
Replacements: 15. Amy Cokayne 17. Kelsey Clifford 18. Maud Muir 19. Zoe Aldcroft 20. Maddie Feaunati 21. Ella Wrywas 22. Holly Aitchison 23. Helena Rowland