England have it all their own way
The England women's rugby team had it all their own way in Parma as they ran out comfortable 41-0 winners over Italy in their second game of the women's 6 Nations. The defending champions ran in seven tries with captain Catherine Spencergrabbing two and there were also tries for backs Michaela Staniford and Fiona Pocock and forwards Rochelle Clark, Heather Fisher and Maggie Alphonsi.
Published by Scrum Queens, February 13th, 2010
4 minute read
England started well, scoring their first points after just three minutes with Michaela Staniford, starting her first game for England in a year, touching down. A turn over at the line out saw the forwards get their chance to drive and over power the Italians, with the ball then popped out down the line to Staniford on the right wing. Alice Richardson missed the conversion.
Five minutes later and England were 12-0 up with wing Pocock this time taking the points. After the ball came off the top of a line-out it went through the slick hands of the backs and out to Pocock who touched down with ease.
Prop Rochelle Clark then secured her second try in two games taking the ball from the back of a ruck to drive over before Bristol No. 8 Spencer claimed her first try with a pick-up from the back of a scrum and a charge over, handing England a 22-0 lead at the break.
England made a raft of changes during half time giving wingers Amber Penrith and Fran Matthews, who had been called up from the England A set-up, their chance. Alphonsi and hooker Samantha Reeve also took to the field, but it was Worcester's Heather Fisher who took the next try.
The flanker, who scored her first try ever for England seven days ago against Wales, showed her turn of speed after a line-out, and then a good England attack in midfield, to outflank Italy's defence and score. Richardson added the conversion taking England into a 29-0 lead.
England had to wait until the 70th minute for their next score which saw a good catch and drive from a line-out hand Alphonsi the chance to pick up from the back of the ruck and score. This time Katy McLean added the conversion.
The final try came courtesy of skipper Spencer who recreated her first half effort with another pick and charge from a scrum, handing England the 41-0 victory and a clean defensive sheet in the tournament so far.
England Assistant Coach Graham Smith said: "The effort the players put in today was as ever excellent. Italy really made us work hard for this win, and for us this is certainly the most difficult year for us to try and win the Six Nations so we are really pleased with the result.
"At times our execution wasn't always there and we needed to pay more attention to detail - we were certainly not as fluid as we were against Wales - but overall our scrummaging worked really well and all four of our wings made a massive contribution to the victory."
Maria Cristina Tonna, Italy team manager said:"Considering the results of two previousgames against Englandwe can be moderately satisfied.Tonight certainly gave us alot of experiencefor the forthcoming match against Scotland."
Tries: Staniford, Pocock, Clark, Spencer (2), Fisher, Alphonsi,
Conversions: Richardson (2), McLean
*Thanks to Lorenzo Cirri