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England defeated Canada 26-19 at Eden Park on Saturday in one of the all-time classic World Cup Semi Finals. In doing so the Red Roses made it 30 victories in a row and booked their spot in the Final, while the Maple Leafs will play for Bronze after a stirring performance against the odds.
It was an absorbing match from the start, with long passages of play. A kicking duel went the way of England as Zoe Harrison thumped the ball deep into Canadian territory. They could not escape and the technical superiority was again on display as a perfectly-executed lineout drive handed the opening try to Marlie Packer. Emily Scarratt added the extras to make it a full seven.
Not long after Canada were again forced to kick defensively and the English back three were ready. Helena Rowland broke to the outside and put Abby Dow into space. The winger had the pace to make the corner and with only 15 minutes played, England looked in control with a 12-nil lead.
Fortune finally smiled on the Canadians when Justine Pelletier broke free from a scrum in her own end. The scrumhalf stepped on the gas and then hacked the ball ahead into in-goal. Karen Paquin was there to chase and the flanker won the race with room to spare to bring her team back to life.
The Red Roses began to show some frustration as the Canadian pack grew in confidence. A 20-meter driving maul earned a penalty, and Alex Tessier fired the ball into the corner. This time the maul was stopped, but the pressure stayed on until Pelletier spun the ball wide where an open Alysha Corrigan was waiting for the try. Sophie de Goede’s conversion leveled the scores.
From the restart Canada’s exit was sloppy and soon England had possession in scoring position. They worked their way to within a few meters of the line, and when a penalty finally came Scarratt took the three points to make it 15-12 on the stroke of halftime.
A repeat from Scarratt early in the second half nudged England further ahead after a Sarah Bern line break, but the Canadians came roaring back. They looked certain to score only for England to turn over possession. Claudia MacDonald opted to run from her own goal-line and she weaved her way past three defenders before firing a wide pass to a waiting Dow. The winger stepped on the gas and sprinted 65 meters to score a sensational end-to-end try that would ultimately prove the difference.
With the gap now 11 points the Canadians needed a score, and they wrestled back the momentum through their forwards. Repeat collapses at the maul saw a yellow card brandished to Vickii Cornborough, but try as they might the Maple Leafs couldn’t break through the stout English defense.
Fresh legs were summoned from the bench and at last the line was broken by Tyson Beukeboom. The second row galloped clear and though she was stopped short, two phases later it was Beukeboom again who fell over the line from short range. de Goede’s kick made it a four-point game and set up a grandstand finish.
Scarratt responded almost immediately with her third penalty. It was only temporary relief, as the Canadians again drove into the English half. A counter-ruck put a halt to one advance, and then a skew lineout with two minutes to play saw the last opportunity slip away. England won a penalty and after securing their own throw-in, Harrison smashed the ball into touch to bring down the curtains.
New Zealand and France play the second Semi Final with the winner taking on England at the same venue next weekend. Canada will play the loser of that match with a spot on the podium up for grabs. The first order of business for both sides will be rest after an enthralling match worthy of a Final itself.
SCORING
ENGLAND 26
Tries – M. Packer (9′), A. Dow 2 (15′, 50′)
Cons – E. Scarratt 1/3 (10′)
Pens – E. Scarratt 3/3 (40′, 42′, 70′)
YC – V. Cornborough (54′)
CANADA 19
Tries – K. Paquin (19′), A. Corrigan (35′), T. Beukeboom (67′)
Cons – S. de Goede 2/3 (36′, 68′)
TEAMS
ENGLAND
1 Vickii Cornborough, 2 Amy Cokayne (16 Lark Davies 66′), 3 Sarah Bern (18 Shaunagh Brown 68′), 4 Zoe Aldroft, 5 Abbie Ward, 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Marlie Packer (17 Maud Muir 58′-66′) (21 Sadia Kabeya 66′), 8 Sarah Hunter (capt.) (20 Poppy Cleall 51′), 9 Leanne Infante, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Claudia MacDonald, 12 Tatyana Heard (22 Holly Aitchison 68′), 13 Emily Scarratt, 14 Abby Dow, 15 Helena Rowland (23 Ellie Kildunne 44′)
Not used: 19 Rosie Galligan
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant (17 Brittany Kassil 43′), 2 Emily Tuttosi (16 Gillian Boag 63′), 3 DaLeaka Menin (18 Alex Ellis 66′), 4 Courtney Holtkamp (19 Ngalula Fuamba 51′), 5 McKinley Hunt (20 Tyson Beukeboom 51′), 6 Fabiola Forteza (22 Sara Svoboda 73′), 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Alex Tessier, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Sara Kaljuvee (23 Anaïs Holly 51′), 13 Alysha Corrigan, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie
Not used: 21 Gabrielle Senft
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistants: Aurélie Groizeleau (France) & Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
