WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL B
ENGLAND………………………56
SPAIN……………………………05
By Daire Walsh
England sent out a serious statement of intent at the UCD Bowl on Wednesday afternoon, when they comprehensively defeated Spain in the opening game of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Four tries from Kay Wilson were the highlight of this Pool B encounter, and while the level of opposition was well below what they can expect in the knockout stages of the competition, England will be confident of defending their world crown when the action switches to Belfast later this month.
A convincing victory over Ireland at the nearby Donnybrook Stadium had helped England to claim the Six Nations Championship title during their last visit to Dublin in mid-March, and they were aiming to hit the ground running at the Belfield venue.
They forced Spain on the back-foot straight from the kick-off, and registered the opening try of the tournament with just 54 seconds gone on the clock. Simon Middleton’s side worked the ball towards the right-flank, and 20-year-old outside centre Megan Jones was on hand to power over the whitewash.
Fly-half Katy Mclean (one of six Darlington players in the England squad) split the posts from the subsequent conversion, as the Roses enjoyed a perfect start to the action. Richmond’s Wilson make a break for the line in the fourth-minute, but following consultation with Irish TMO Simon McDowell, referee Aimee Barrett opted against awarding a try.
However, this was only a temporary respite for the Spanish, and after she was picked out from the resulting scrum, Wilson crossed over with relative ease. A superb bonus kick by Mclean helped England to establish an early 14-point buffer, and although strong defensive work from Spain initially prevented them from adding to their tally, a third England try inevitably arrived at the end of the first-quarter.
Mclean picked out Wilson with a superb crossfield pass, and the dynamic No 11 was left with the simple task of dotting down. Mclean couldn’t supplement this score with another conversion, though, and a strong break by Iera Echebarria brought Spain towards the England ’22’ for the very first time.
Lock Maria Ribera and full-back Barbara Pla were both undergoing Head Injury Assessments (HIAs) during this period of the play, but even though Ribera eventually returned, it was confirmed on the half-hour that Pla was to be permanently replaced by Vanessa Rial.
This was certainly a set-back for Jose Antonio Barrio’s charges, and in the 32nd-minute, they fell further behind to their powerful counterparts. A fast-paced move forced England back into enemy territory, Mclean eventually completed her hat-trick with a cool finish in the left-corner.
Spain were already left with a mountain to climb at this stage, but with just four minutes remaining in the first-half, they finally opened their account. A powerful carry by Patricia Garcia brought the Spaniards back into the England half of the field, and this enabled them to build attacking momentum in the final-third.
Centre Marina Bravo spotted a gap on the right-hand side, and after she picked out Diana Gasso with a superb one-handed off-load, the Gotics flanker touched down in spectacular style. This was a morale-boost for Spain, and although Garcia couldn’t added the bonuses to this five-pointer, they had reduced their deficit to 19 points (24-5) in time for the interval.
Spain were hoping to bring renewed optimism into the second period, but thanks to the half-time introduction of Leicester native Emily Scarratt, England ultimately reinforced their superiority. Just three minutes after the restart, Scarratt arrived on cue to register her country’s fifth try of the contest. England were now finding it difficult to convert from the kicking tee, but with the Spanish rearguard under constant pressure, they were able to enhance their cushion with additional five-pointers.
Blindside Harriet Millar-Mills (who was part of a formidable English back-row along with Izzy Noel-Smith and captain Sarah Hunter) got her name on the scoresheet with a clinical score on 51 minutes, and from their next attacking phase, England once again breached the Spanish defensive line.
The play was switched from a central position out to the left-wing, and Wilson was in the right place to comfortably secure her fourth try of the afternoon. This meant that all of 34 points (39-5) now separated the sides, and with England in a rampant mood, it would prove to be a morale-sapping final-quarter for Spain.
McDowell was once again asked to review an Alex Matthews effort at the beginning of the final-quarter, but on this occasion, a try was awarded to the in-form England. It was now a case of damage limitation for Spain, but with a number of English replacements eager to prove a point for the upcoming games in the pool, they weren’t afforded a moment’s rest.
Indeed, following the earlier contributions by Scarratt and Matthews, substitute hooker Amy Cokayne supplied the finishing touches to a powerful attacking maul with 11 minutes remaining. England were certainly embracing their new surroundings (they also had a healthy travelling support cheering them on throughout), and they capped off an impressive display with a 76th-minute try from Lydia Thompson – their 10th of a one-sided affair.
Scorers for England: Kay Wilson four tries, Emily Scarratt try, con, Megan Jones, Harriet Millar-Mills, Lydia Thompson, Alex Matthews, Amy Cokayne try each, Katy Mclean 2 cons.
Scorer for Spain: Diana Gasso try.
ENGLAND: Danielle Waterman; Lydia Thompson, Megan Jones, Rachel Burford, Kay Wilson; Katy Mclean, Leanne Riley; Vickii Cornborough, Heather Kerr, Sarah Bern; Abbie Scott, Zoe Aldcroft; Harriet Millar-Mills, Izzy Noel-Smith, Sarah Hunter.
Replacements: Amy Cokayne, Rochelle Clark, Justine Lucas, Poppy Cleall, Alex Matthews, La Toya Mason, Amber Reed, Emily Scarratt.
SPAIN: Barbara Pla; Maria Casado, Amaia Erbina, Marina Bravo, Iera Echebarria; Patricia Garcia, Anne Fernandez de Corres; Samoa Jarrean, Aroa Gonzalez, Jeanina Vinueza; Berta Garcia, Maria Ribera; Diana Gasso, Paula Medin, Elena Redondo.
Replacements: Isabel Rico, Isabel Macias, Rocio Garcia, Monica Castelo, Angela Del Pan, Maria Ahis, Vanesa Rial, Carlota Meliz.
Referee: Aimee Barrett (RSA).