Record Exeter crowd cheers England win
A record breaking 10,545 spectators, more than any international women’s rugby match in England outside of the 2010 World Cup Final, turned out to watch, at the time, undefeated England v Italy.
Published by Nichola Birch, March 9th, 2019
4 minute read
Photo: James Cullimore
Italy started the 4thround proceedings with kick off though England quickly pushed back the visitors into their half. England chased down an Italy kick from their 22 after five minutes in and nearly scored but were brought back for a penalty.
Both teams in the first ten minutes were looking fairly even, however this duality soon ended with flying winger Jess Breach putting the final ball to ground our wide to bring England ahead. The conversion was good from the touchline from Zoe Harrison and England were 7-0 ahead
An impressive break for England at 22 minutes saw them bring the ball to the halfway line where Breach carried it nearly to the try line again but was tackled into touch by a brilliant Aura Muzzo tackle just metres short. With growing confidence, England continued to make breaks but well organised Italian continue to just about hold htem back. That defence finally broke at 34 minutes with Lark Davies carrying the ball over the line at a ruck. Katy Daley-Mclean converted bringing the score to 14-0.
England confidence continued for the rest of the half with a further try confirmed by TMO for captain Sarah Hunter after a pass back inside from Kelly Smith. Another conversion brought the game to 21-0 at half time.
England continued where they left off in the firstwith, one minute in to the second half a fourth,and bonus point try for Sarah Bern - no conversion for Daley-Mclean this time. A fifth try shortly followed off the back of a scrum for Marlie Packer. This time Daley-Mclean sent it through the posts and England were 33 points ahead.
Bonus point secured, this didn’t stop England’s whose continuous pressure produced two more tries following quick succession in the 59thand 62ndminutes. Daley-Mclean’s boot didn’t quite hit the spot with neither converted.
At the final ten minutes Italy seem to have lost a bit of their spark as an England maul found the line bringing a try for Abbie Scott, but no conversion. 48 – 0. The clock ticked on for the 80thminute but England showed no sign of stopping with a last minute try for Sarah McKenna under the posts. This one is converted leaving the final score England 55 – Italy 0.
Sarah Beckett was named player of match.
ITALY:15. Manuela Furlan (c) 14. Aura Muzzo 13. Michela Sillari 12. Jessica Busato 11. Sofia Stefan 10. Beatrice Rigoni 9. Sara Barattin 1. Gaia Giacomoli 2. Melissa Bettoni 3. Lucia Gai 4. Valentina Ruzza 5. Giordana Duca 6. Ilaria Arrighetti 7. Giada Franco 8. Elisa GiordanoReplacements:16. Lucia Cammarano 17. Silvia Turani 18. Sara Tounesi 19. Valeria Fedrighi 20. Francesca Sberna21. Francesca Sgorbini 22. Maria Magatti 23. Camilla SarassoENGLAND15. Sarah McKenna 14. Jess Breach 13. Emily Scarratt 12. Zoe Harrison 11. Kelly Smith 10. Katy Daley-Mclean 9. Leanne Riley 1. Vickii Cornborough 2. Lark Davies 3. Sarah Bern 4. Catherine O’Donnell 5. Abbie Scott 6. Sarah Beckett 7. Marlie Packer 8. Sarah HunterReplacements:16. Vicky Fleetwood 17. Hannah Botterman 18. Shaunagh Brown 19. Poppy Cleall 20. Jo Brown 21. Natasha Hunt 22. Rachael Burford 23. Emily Scott