England beat Black Ferns again
New Zealand's Black Ferns have look invincible in Women's Rugby and they are the holders of the Women's World Cup but they have just lost twice to England in just four days. The third match in the series will be played at Twickenham on Saturday after the men's match between England and the All Blacks.
on Saturday England won 16-13 at Esher and this time won 17-8 at Aldershot, thus taking the series.
On Saturday England came from 13-3 behind to win. This win was easier for England.
As on Saturday, England scored first when Emily Scarratt kicked an easy penalty. In this match she was playing fullback. In fact of the England side only Michaela Staniford, Natasha Hunt, Sarah Hunter and Tamara Taylor were back playing where they were on Saturday. The while bench got a game.
By contrast Hazel Tubic was the only change in the New Zealand backs and Karina Stowers the only change to the starting pack.
New Zealand scored a try after this when wing Shakira Baker went over in the corner but five minutes later flyhalf Alice Richardson weaved her way through the defence before sending flank Hannah Gallagher over for a try which Emily Scarratt converted to make the score 10-5 to the home side, the half-time score.
The Black Ferns scored first in the second half when Kelly Brazier kicked a penalty. But that was the end of the New Zealand scoring.
England made the game safe when Joanne Watmore sprinted through for a try which Emily Scarratt converted.
Afterwards England coach Gary Street said: "Obviously I'm delighted that we've managed to wrap up the series after the second game. We have used the word 'trust' a lot with the players this week and they showed that in everything they did today. We made the improvements that we needed to make from Friday's game, from our physicality to our ball carrying.
"I'm so pleased with our less experienced players in the second row and back row who underlined that they are world class players in the making. Next up is Twickenham on Saturday which is still going to be a huge game. Playing there is a special moment for any player and there's no doubt that the squad will want to finish the series as champions in front of the Twickenham crowd."
Scorers:
For England:
Tries: HannahGallagher, Joanne Watmore
Cons: Emily Scarratt 2
Pen: Emily Scarratt
For New Zealand:
Try: Shakira Baker
Pen: Kelly Brazier
The teams
England: 15 Emily Scarratt, 14 Francesca Matthews, 13 Joanne Watmore, 12 Amber Reed, 11 Michaela Staniford, 10 Alice Richardson, 9 Natasha Hunt, 8 Sarah Hunter, 7 Hannah Gallagher, 6 Alexandra Matthews, 5 Emily Braund, 4 Tamara Taylor, 3 Sophie Hemming, 2 Emma Croker, 1 Rosemarie Crowley
Replacements: 16 Victoria Fleetwood, 17 Rochelle Clark, 18 Laura Keates, 19 Rowena Burnfield, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 La Toya Mason, 22 Ceri Large, 23 Katy McLean
New Zealand: 15 Selica Winiata, 14 Hazel Tubic, 13 Claire Richardson, 12 Kelly Brazier, 11 Shakira Baker, 10 Kendra Cocksedge, 9 Emma Jensen, 8 Casey Robertson, 7 Justine Lavea, 6 Aroha Savage, 5 Rawinia Everitt, 4 Eloise Blackwell, 3 Kathleen Wilton, 2 Fiao'o Fa’amasuilI (captain), 1 Karina Stowers
Replacements: 16 Ruth McKay, 17 Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox, 18 Aleisha Nelson, 19 Jackie Patea, 20 Lydia Crossman, 21 Zoey Berry, 22 Teresa Te Tamaki, 23 Halie Hurring
Referee: Clare Daniels (England)
Assistant referees: Sara Cox (England), Tim Bailey (England)
Assessor: Keith Page (England)
