England’s women follow the men

It was great day for England at Twickenham on Saturday. Both teams – the senior men and the senior women – played against New Zealand,  the holders of a Rugby World Cup and so are referred to as World Champions, and both won convincingly

The men broke records in winning 38-21 and the women had their most convincing win over New Zealand in November – their third match in eight days.

They won the first 16-13, the second 17-8 and this won 32-23, scoring five tries to three.

The men’s team played first and in stirring fashion and then the women entered HQ for a match in which they were always ascendant.

Kat Merchant, from a move that started with a tap penalty inside the England 22, and Emily Scarratt scored to open the scoring with tries. Emily Scarratt converted her own try. Rawin Everitt scored a try for the lack Ferns and Kat Merchant got her second try and prop Roz Crowley a try. Selica Winiata scored just before half-=time to make the score at the break 24-15 to England.

The scoring abated somewhat in the second half, each side scoring a try – Jo Watmore  for England and then, just before the final whistle,, Kendra Cocksedge for New Zealand.

England’s coach Gary Street said: "Obviously we're hugely delighted to have won here at Twickenham and to wrap up the series in front of a big home crowd. The players, as a group, were once again outstanding and they showed tremendous mental strength to get through this series and win it 3-0.

"There is a lot of trust in this group and that shows every time a squad member pulls on the England shirt. We may not have won a World Cup for many years but we are definitely the number one side in the world at the moment."

Scorers:

For England:

Tries: Kat Merchant 2, Emily Scarratt, Roz Crowley, Jo Watmore

Cons: Emily Scarratt 2

Pen: Emily Scarratt

For New Zealand:

Tries: Rawinia Everitt, Selica Winiata, Kendra Cocksedge

Cons: Kelly Brazier

Pens: Kelly Brazier 2

The teams:

England: 15 Emily Scarratt, 14  Katherine Merchant, 13  Joanne Watmore, 12 Alice Richardson, 11 Michaela Staniford, 10 Katy McLean, 9 Natasha Hunt, 8 Sarah Hunter,  7 Heather Fisher, 6 Marlie Packer, 5 Rowena Burnfield, 4 Tamara Taylor, 3  Laura  Keates, 2 Victoria Fleetwood, 1 Rosemarie Crowley

Replacements: 16 Emma Croker, 17 Sophie Hemming, 18 Rochelle Clark, 19 Emily Braund, 20 Hannah Gallagher, 21 La Toya Mason, 22 Amber Reed, 23

New Zealand: 15 Kelly Brazier, 14 Selica Winiata, 13 Shakira Baker, 12 Claire Richardson, 11 Hazel Tubic, 10 Kendra Cocksedge, 9 Emma Jensen, 8 Casey Robertson, 7 Justine Lavea,  6 Aroha Savage, 5 Rawinia Everitt, 4 Eloise Blackwell, 3 Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox, 2 Fiao'o Fa’amasuilI (captain), 1 Ruth McKay

Replacements: 16 Karina Stowers, 17 Kathleen Wilton, 18 Aleisha Nelson, 19 Jackie Patea, 20 Lydia Crossman, 21 Teresa Te Tamaki, 22 Anika Tiplady,  23 Halie Hurring

Referee: Sherry Trumbull (Canada)

Assistant referees: Philip Davies (England) , Dino Maddern (England)

Tel;evision match official: Steve Leyshon (England)