England complete U20 series unbeaten

England return from their summer visit to North America with a trophy and a 3-0 record after a 27-17 win in the final game against Canada.

Published by John Birch, August 19th, 2018

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England complete U20 series unbeaten

In rainy conditions in Halifax, England ran in four tries in an impressive performance to return unbeaten from the three-game tour. England had already overcome Canada and USA, taking home the title in Nova Scotia.

After Canada flanker Harley Tucker was sent to the sin bin, England's early pressure told and they got the opening score through a penalty try on 10 minutes when driving forward from a five metre scrum, it was brought down and the referee gave England the seven points.

The Canadians responded when a succession of pick and drives eventually told and No 8 Sophie De Goede was able to cross from a metre out. Lucy Attwood's penalty pushed England five points ahead and following a Canada spill from a high kick, the ball was worked to the right and prop Ellena Perry charged over from a few metres out for a 15-5 half-time lead.

England's third try came courtesy of a superb deep break from captain Phoebe Murray who worked her way through a number of defenders, bounced of tacklers before offloading to No 8 Sarah Beckett to slide over. Abby Dow's burst through the middle and pace from 25 metres out extended the lead, with replacement fly half Ellie Green adding the conversion.

Some neat handling by Canada saw Maddison Gold go over before Hannah Daniels dotted down with time dead to reduce the deficit, but the game was already won by England.

U20 Women Head Coach Jo Yapp said: “Conditions for this final game were challenging and I’m very proud of how the team performed under pressure. “As a group they have grown and developed over the course of the tour, and it is a great achievement to come away with the Tri-Nations Cup and return home unbeaten. I look forward to seeing how these players continue to develop back home with their clubs this season, with so many set to appear once again in the Tyrrells Premier 15s.”

On Tuesday, England secured a 43-17 win over USA in Wolfville with six tries, including two from Sarah Beckett. For the full match report and team list, click here.

They opened the tour with a 36-22 win over hosts Canada at Acadia University, Wolfville on Friday 10 August. First half scores courtesy of Lagi Tuima, Lilian Stoeger-Goddard, Abby Dow and Zoe Harrison, as well as six points from the fly-half's boot, handed England a 26-7 lead at the break.

Canada fought back hard in the second half, scoring a three tries and producing individual moments of brilliance, but were denied by further England scores from Harper and Dow.

Canada:1. Idia Ihensekien - Dartmouth College/Oakville Crusaders RFC (ON); 2. Mackenzie Carson - UBC Thunderbirds/Bristol Bears (BC); 3. Val Wideski - Acadia University/Westshore RFC (BC); 4. Abby DuGuid - University of Lethbridge/Edmonton Pirates RFC (AB); 5. Keegan Branter - University of Lethbridge/Lethbridge Rugby Club (AB); 6. Harley Tucker - Acadia Universtiy/Windsor Machine RFC (AB); 7. Courtenay Holtkamp - University of Alberta/Red Deer Titans (AB); 8. Sophie de Goede – Captain,Queen’s University/Castaway Wanderers (BC); 9. Sasha Guedes - UVic Vikes/Beaconsfield (QC); 10. Tausani Levale - Abbotsford Griffins (BC); 11. Asia Hogan - York University/Toronto Nomads (ON); 12. Madison Gold - UBC Thunderbirds (BC); 13. Sarah-Maude LaChance - CEGEP Victoriaville/Club De Rugby Quebec (QC); 14. Brooke Bazian - UBC Thunderbirds (BC); 15. Annie Kennedy - Acadia University/Windsor Machine RFC (ON)16. Erika Barton - Guelph University/Kingston Panthers (ON); 17. Maya Montiel - Ottawa University/Ottawa Irish Rugby Club (NB); 18. Amelia Hatfield - St Francis Xavier University/Halifax Tars RFC (NS); 19. Zoe Goodwin-Sutton - UVic Vikes/Westshore RFC (ON); 20. Aly Macdougall - University of Calgary/Calgary Irish (AB); 21. Celia Martensson - Queen’s University/Aurora Barbarians (ON); 22. Hannah Daniels - Queen’s University/Aurora Barbarians (ON); 23. Rachel Hickson - Queen’s University/Kingston Panthers (ON)

England:15. Victoria Laflin (Worcester Valkyries/ Worcester University);14. Abigail Dow (Wasps Ladies / Imperial College London); 13. Lagilagi Tuima (Bristol Bears Women / Exeter University); 12. Phoebe Murray (Bristol Bears Women / Bristol University) ©; 11. Abigail Dow (Wasps FC Ladies / Imperial College London); 10. Lucy Attwood (Bristol Bears Women, Bristol University); 9. Ella Wyrwas (Saracens Women, N/A);  ; 1. Ellena Perry (Saracens Women / Coventry University); 2. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University); 3. Hannah Botterman (Saracens/NA); 4. Rosie Galligan (Saracens Women / Loughborough University); 5. Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears Women / Exeter University); 6. Amelia Harper (Loughborough Lightning /Loughborough College; 7. Charlie Wilcock (Worcester Valkyries, N/A); 8. Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo Ladies, N/A)16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury Women / Hartpury College); 17. Detysha Harper (Firwood Waterloo Ladies, N/A); 18. Ellie Mulhearn (Bristol Bears Women, N/A); 19. Akina Gondwe (Worcester Valkyries /Worcester University); 20. Rianna Manson (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks/ York St. John University); 21. Brooke Bradley (Bristol Bears Women / Exmouth Community College); 22. Ellie Green (Harlequins Ladies, N/A)  ; 23. Jessica Cooksey (Winscombe / Hartpury College)

Tri-Nations Cup:Aug. 7th -  Canada 36 - 12 USAAug. 10th - Canada 22 - 36 England (Not for Tri-Nations Points)Aug. 14th - USA 17 - 43 EnglandAug. 18th - Canada 17 - 27 England

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