England preserve Twickenham record

The visiting side gave a good account of themselves in the first half but England had too much power, especially from the bench, as the game went on.

It was an error strewn game with both sides making mistakes at set-piece and with the boot, but in front of a 10,000 strong crowd, the home team were just too strong.

England got off to a great start. Captain Katy McLean set off on a fine dart and her effort set up a good line-out platform and from the top the ball was looped wide to Michaela Staniford who raced over out wide for a 5-0 lead after just three minutes.

Wales though settled into the match better after that their forwards putting England under pressure on their possession and Naomi Thomas hitting some nice touch finders

Rosie Fletcher, one of the smallest players on the field, did well on the end of some probing McLean kicks and the visitors grew in confidence as the first half went on.

A scuffle broke out on the halfway line when a hit from Marlie Packer on Amy Day was deemed high and Wales affront turned into a great passage of play for the visitors who should really have grabbed a score in reply.

Some great hands from Thomas and Vicky Owens almost yielded an overlap but the chance was lost with a knock-on and then Day put a great box-kick over but again the ball was fumbled just metres out from the tryline.

England had a chance to score themselves when a brilliant turnover was spun wide quickly but Wales rallied quickly in defence to deny Staniford her second try and then when it went back the other way McLean held on when she had players outside her and Wales were awarded the penalty.

It got worse for England then when they lost loosehead Laura Keates to the sinbin for a stamp but being a player down seemed to inspire them as first McLean knocked over a penalty and then Rachael Burford burst through the middle and offloaded to Emily Scarratt who raced over out wide as the lead went out to 13-0 after 35 minutes.

Thomas had a chance to get three points back but her kick fell short and England took a 13-0 lead into the break.

England brought Maggie Alphonsi and Sarah Hunter on at halftime and their arrival made an impact as England worked the phases well. With Burfords distribution making major headway out wide a try was inevitable and it was Burfords looped pass to Rowena Burnfield which saw the score come and England took an 18-0 lead.

The floodgates then threatened to open as Kay Wilson burrowed over for a try on one wing and then minutes later Staniford added her second after a great McLean break.

But credit to Wales who worked their way back into the England 22 but brilliant defence from the hosts meant that Laura Prossers best efforts were undone.

The game became scrappy after that with plenty of errors creeping back into the game but England were back on the scoresheet with Sarah Hunter crashing over after a period of pressure though Wales probably had reason to feel aggrieved coming in for some harsh calls from referee Syliva Bros.

England will be pleased to get yet another win at Twickenham with some good momentum now going into their key game against France.

Wales were wonderfully committed and had chances to score but in the end their opponents were too quick and strong for them overall. Most impressive for the Welsh was captain Rachel Taylor who will have to pick her side up for next weekends rearranged fixture against Ireland.

Wales:Rosie Fletcher, Charlie Murray, Adi Taviner, Rebecca De Filippo, Caryl James, Naomi Thomas, Amy Day, Caryl Thomas, Rhian Bowden, Jenny Davies, Vicky Owens, Shona Powell-Hughes, Sioned Harries, Rachel Taylor (Capt), Jamie Kift

Replacements:Lowri Harries, Megan York (for Thomas 73), Clare Flowers, Lisa Newton (for Owens 63), Laura Prosser (for Day, 50), Mared Evans, Phillippa Tuttiett

England:Natasha Hunt, Kay Wilson, Emily Scarratt, Rachael Burford, Michaela Staniford, Katy McLean (c), La Toya Mason, Laura Keates, Victoria Fleetwood, Sophie Hemming, Rowena Burnfield, Tamara Taylor, Hannah Gallagher, Marlie Packer, Harriet Millar-Mils

Replacements: Amy Turner (for Packer 53), Rochelle Clark (for Keates 61), Maggie Alphonsi (for Gallagher 40), Sarah Hunter (for Millar Mils 40)Georgina Rozario (for Mason 61) , Ceri Large (for McLean 69), Kimberley Oliver (for Burford 53)

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