England crush Spain 45-5 to record their second successive victory ahead of ...

If the victory over Samoa had been based on the pace of the likes of Thompson

and Natasha Hunt, Tuesday’s win was founded on their superiority in the

forward exchanges.

Flanker Marlie Packer led the way with two tries in a display that will give

Street food for thought when he selects his side to face Canada, who are

also unbeaten after wins over Spain and Samoa.

Laurie Keates was another forward who crossed the line while front-foot ball

and the control from fly-half by Ceri Large also created the momentum for

Kay Wilson, Danielle Waterman and Claire Allan to score tries.

^{Pivotal: Ceri Large makes a break from fly-half}

Street, who had the luxury of resting 10 players from the Samoa win, will now

be picking from a position of strength when preparing for the Canada game as

England look to secure their place in the knock-out stages.

England have scored a total of 16 tries and over 100 points in their first two

Pool A games and the consolation score by Spain’s Marina Bravo on Tuesday

has been their only defensive slip.

“We had a plan going into these first two games: we wanted to give

everyone a chance and we wanted to see all 26 players in action,”

Street said. “I thought that we started quite slowly today but we knew

that we would have to be patient, and that proved to be the case. Space

eventually came our way and we got ourselves into some good positions.

“Looking ahead to Canada, we have some fresh legs who will come into

contention, but there will be some tough calls to make ahead of what

promises to be a very difficult game.”

A moment of sublime play had broken the deadlock for England after a scrappy

first quarter with Large nudging a perfectly-weighted chip kick though for

Wilson to score after Waterman had ghosted up the left touchline.

Waterman’s quick feet took her over for England’s second try just before

half-time before the forwards turned the screw after the break.

An impressive driving maul culminating in a try for Keates, a second-half

replacement, and the bonus point was secured moments later, with Allan, the

makeshift wing in Thompson’s absence, going over after a break by Large and

support by Amber Reed, Packer and Sarah Hunter.

It marked the end of any effective Spanish resistance. Packer scored the fifth

try with a remarkably powerful burst that took her through six defenders.

A raft of changes from the bench allowed Spain to capitalise from some sloppy

defending as Bravo cut inside from a tapped penalty to score the first try

England have conceded in the tournament.

While England could not quite maintain their momentum, appropriately the final

say was left to the forwards, with Packer driven over for her second try

from marching maul.

Wales saw their semi-final hopes ended in an emphatic 25-2 defeat by Australia

in Marcoussis. Wales, who were convincingly beaten by hosts France in their

opening game, were no match for the Australian side.

Sharni Williams and Tricia Brown scored tries as Australia built a 17-0

interval lead, and Brown then added a second touchdown, with Wales replying

through a solitary Robyn Wilkins penalty.

Wales wind up their campaign against South Africa on Saturday, while Australia

face a group decider against France.

Article source: http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership-2014-15/rugby/story/239007.html

England crush Spain 45-5 to record their second successive victory ahead of ...