Canada & South Africa win U20s openers

Canada 25 USA 15

Canada came out on top in the first game of the U20s Nations Cup, outscoring their rivals by three tries to two.

USA took the lead early in the game with a penalty from Meya Bizer following a series of powerful scrums.

The lead was short-lived however, as a strong counterattack from a kick caused problems for USA and the Canadians smartly moved the ball out wide making use of their overlap to put winger Paige Farries into space and she sprinted in from 15 yards. The try was converted by Jess Neilson from out wide. Neilson’s boot was in use again shortly after as Canada were penalised for hands in the scrum. The fly-half kicked her team into a 10-3 lead.

USA reacted strongly and after several good phases of play, prop Hope Rogers forced her way over the line for a well worked try. Anne Peterson’s conversion made the halftime score at 10-10.

The second half started like the first at a frantic pace, and it was the Canadians who came out of the dressing room firing, turning the score in their favour in a strong 20-minute spell.

Throwing forward after forward at the USA defense, the Canadians pushed hard, forcing a scrum five metres out from the line. A quick pick and charge led to Nadia Popov crashing over next to the posts. Neilson again added the conversion to give the Canadians a 17-10 lead after 50 minutes.

Another penalty converted by Neilson then gave them a 20-10 lead and that was pushed out further after the Canadian forwards forced their way over from a lineout driving maul, 10-25.

USA then created space out wide for Bizer to run in unopposed to cut the deficit to 15-25 but it was too little too late.

USA1. Maxine Fonua (Stanford) 2. Danielle Ciocco (Penn State University) , 3. Hope Rogers (Penn State University), 4. Hannah Price (Clemson, University), 5. Megan Pinson (Fallbrook High School), 6. Kelsey Harris (Penn State University), 7. Elizabeth Cairns (Penn State University), 8. Jordan Gray (BYU), 9. Cassidy Meyers (Kent High School), 10. Anne Peterson (Washington State University), 11. Natalie Kosko (Quinnipiac University)12. Nicole Heavirland (Exeter High School), 13. Brianna Troyer (Penn State University), 14. Margaret Myles (West Carroll High School), 15. Meya Bizer (Penn State University)Replacements16. Markliann Hoyne (Texas A&M) , 17. Dorothy Mittow (Princeton), 18.Katana Howard (University of Minnesota) , 19. LauraBen Moore (Brandeis University), 20. Chidinma "Chi Chi" Chukwueke (Georgia Tech), 21. Miranda Previte (Rutgers University). 22. Gabriella Cantorna (State College High School), 23. Stacey Wong (University of California Berkley)

Canada:1. Ashley Delaney, 2. Charli Mocon , 3. Deleaka Menin , 4. Jordyn Rowntree5. Cindy Nelles , 6. Daria Keane , 7. Katie Svoboda , 8. Nadia Popov, 9. Lori Josephson , 10. Jess Neilson , 11. Paige Farries, 12. Sara Kaljuvee , 13. Breanne Nicholas, 14. Frederique Rajotte , 15. Emily BelchosReplacements: 16. Ashley Snider, 17. Emily Barber, 18. Sara Haring 19. Fedelia Omoghan20. Lauren McEwen , 21. Hannah Darling , 22. Nadia Lesco , 23. Dani Robb

South Africa 24 England 22

South Africa survived a late comeback by hosts England for a 24-22 victory in their opening game.

The first half was an arm wrestle as the teams threw everything at each other on attack and defence.

England, however, took a narrow 5-3 at the break, thanks to a try in the 11th minute from Georgia Peedle, while South Africa’s only points were compliments of a penalty by fullback Kirsten Conrad.

But the visitors took control of proceedings in the second half with Conrad slotting over her second penalty, which was followed minutes later by the first of the team’s three tries by centre Ntombifuthi Sibiloane.

Right wing Bulela Qwane and flank Estha Mahlangu were the other try scorers. This dominant spell earned the team an encouraging 21-10 lead.

England, however, fought back with intent which earned them two tries, one of which was converted, to force them into a narrow 22-21 lead.

But this was short-lived as a late penalty by Conrad sealed the 24-22 victory for SA.

South Africa Women’s Under-20 coach Hendrik Pieterse was delighted with the victory and said: “I am proud of the team. Our goal was to start the tournament on a high and the ladies showed great character achieve that. It was particularly encouraging to see the team score three tries, and I am pleased that they worked together to put us in a position to slot over the last penalty for the victory. This will certainly set us in good stead as we prepare for the clash against the USA.”

England:15 Georgia Peedle (Saracens, Hertfordshire, LSE), 14 Rosie Kells (Hartpury, Gloucestershire, South West), 13 Rochelle Smith (Saracens, Surrey, LSE), 12 Rachel Roberts (DMPS, Northumberland, North), 11 Holly Molesworth (Bristol, Gloucestershire, South West), 10 Florence Williams (Aylesford, Kent, LSE), 9 Devon Holt (Reading, Berkshire, South West, Hartpury College), 1 Amy Needham (DMPS, Northumberland, North), 2 Charlie Notman (Bristol, Cornwall, South West), 3 Ellie Prescott (Waterloo, Lancashire, North), 4 Ellie Gattlin (Saracens, Eastern Counties, LSE), 5 Courtney Gill (Worcester, Gloucestershire, South West), 6 Jo Brown (DMPS, Durham, North), 7 Kayleigh Callaway-Bawden (Bristol/Penryn, Cornwall, South West) (c), 8 Lucie Wood (Worcester, Gloucestershire, South West)Replacements: 16 Lucy Aylesbury (Worcester, Gloucestershire, South West), 17 Catherine Pugh (Saracens, Essex, LSE), 18 Abigail Parsons (Reading, Berkshire, South West, Hartpury College), 19 Fran Hall (Richmond, Hampshire, LSE), 20 Rebecca Trist (Tyldesley, Lancashire, North, Moulton College), 21 Bianca Blackburn (Worcester, Gloucestershire, South West), 22 Rebecca Scholes (Glossop, Cheshire, North, Moulton College), 23 Chelsey Fuggle (Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands)