Perris-Redding hat-trick powers USA Eagles past Italy

MATCH REPORT: A huge first 50 minutes set up the Eagle women to hold on for an impressive but also too-close-for-comfort 36-WXV win over Italy in Mansfield, Texas.

Determined to play fast and intense, the Eagles exploded out of the blocks with tries from co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding at 10 and 21 minutes, and all-time superstar Hope Rogers at 28 and 33 minutes. With Bella Vogel converting three out of those four the Eagles led 21-5 after 35 minutes.

Italy responded with a crucial try for the Azzurri just before halftime, but Perris-Reddings third of the day seven minutes into the second half the Eagles led 33-10.

But as time went on Italy started to claw back. Aura Muzzo and Vittoria Zanette scored tries to make it a bit closer at 33-22.

Vogel added a penalty goal with four minutes left to create a 14-point cushion. Francesca Granzotto’s try at the end of the game made it 36-27, but there wasn’t enough time for more.

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Italy came back, but Eagles closed it out

The second try of the game was a beauty. From the middle of the field Vogel ghosted through a gap and quickly found Freda Tafuna in space. The hard-charging No. 8 unselfishly drew the defender and found Perris-Redding, who split the cover chaser to make the line.

Perris’ Redding’s third was a good team effort where the key play was Mae Sagapolu catching a ball at her hip and spinning into contact without losing possession. Right after that the skipper was over.

They scored from close-in, and they have been doing that, but Head Coach Jack Hanratty found he wasn’t too concerned with that. “Our offload numbers are completely different [from earlier in the season] which is great to see,” said Hanratty. “I thought, because we’re scoring a lot from tight five or the maul, and I’m coaching the attack, is this even working? But, no, there have been certain moments that actually created some of those scoring chances.”

They converted on scoring chances, but they also got full value. Both teams scored five tries, however, Italy converted only one, and Vogel was good on four of the five conversion attempts, and added a penalty goal.

The scorers:

For USA:
Tries: Perris-Redding 3, Rogers 2
Cons: Vogel 4
Pens: Vogel

For Italy:
Tries: Granzotto 2, Vecchini, Muzzo, Zanette
Cons: Granzotto

The teams:

USA: 15 Ashley Cowdrey, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Emily Henrich, 12 Bella Vogel, 11 Telesi Uhatafe, 10 Nina Mason, 9 Abigail Paton, 8 Freda Tafuna, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding (captain), 6 Kapoina Bailey, 5 Rachel Ehrecke, 4 Hallie Taufoou, 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele, 2 Kathryn Treder, 1 Hope Rogers.
Replacements: 16 Paige Stathopoulos, 17 Alivia Leatherman, 18 Mona Tupou, 19 Erica Jarrell-Searcy (captain), 20 Hann Humphreys, 21 Kate Zackary, 22 Taina Tukuafu, 23 Katana Howard.

Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (captain), 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Alyssa D’Incà, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Francesca Granzotto, 10 Emma Stevanin, 9 Alia Bitonci, 8 Elisa Giordano, 7 Mascia Jelic, 6 Francesca Sgorbini, 5 Giordana Duca, 4 Giulia Cavina, 3 Alessia Pilani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 1 Vittoria Zanette.
Replacements: 16 Silvia Fent, 17 Giorgia Cuoghi, 18 Gaia Dosi, 19 Elettra Costantini, 20 Alissa Ranunccini, 21 Sofia Stefan, 22 Sara Mannini, 23 Gaia Buso.

Referee: Holly Wood (England)
Assistant Referees: Emma Gallagher (Canada), Lindsey Oliver(USA)
TMO: Cam Russell (Canada)