SUNBURY, UK – The USA Women’s National Team put in a strong second half showing, but could not muster enough scoring oomph to rebound from a 29-0 halftime deficit, falling to an experienced England A squad 34-17 on December 12 at London Irish ARFC, Sunbury.
England A’s Samantha Dale (Worcester) got her team out to an early lead, touching down in the left corner inside the forth minute and No. 8 Heidi Shelburg (Wasps) drove in another try, with Shelly Rae kicking the extras to put England up 10-0 three minutes later. Vicky Massarella (Saracens), Gemma Sharples and Dale would also touch down across the try line before the break, to give England a 29-0 lead heading into the second half.
However, the USA Women’s Eagles refused to go down without a fight after the restart. Scrumhalf Kim Magrini (Keystone) led the charge with a try in minute 45 and Melissa Smit booted in the conversion to cut England A’s lead to 29-7.
England was able to capitalize on San Juanita Moreno’s (Oregon Sports Union) trip to the sin-bin, responding with their final try of the match from substitute Charlotte Boggis (Clifton), but the USA remained steadfast toward the try zone. The Women’s Eagles put up the final numbers with Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues) and Kristen Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries) running in two late tries to bring the final score to 34-17.
The USA team’s final match of the First Sports International England Tour will be played at London Irish ARFC, Sunbury, on December 15 at 2:30 p.m. GMT against England. The game will be webcast LIVE at www.247.tv.
For more information on the USA Women’s National Team and to keep up on the squad’s tour journal, please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/women_eagleswww.usarugby.org/goto/women_eagles
USA – 17
Tries: Kim Magrini (Keystone), Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues), Kristen Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries).
Conversions: Melissa Smit (Stanford University)
ENGLAND A – 34
Tries: Samantha Dale (Worcester) – 2, Heidi Shelburg (Wasps), Vicky Massarella (Saracens), Gemma Sharples (Worcester), Charlotte Boggis (Clifton)
Conversions: Shelly Rae (Wasps) – 2
England A Defeat Eagles in Style
From: Rugby Football Union
December 12th, 2007
England A 34 USA Eagles 17
England A Women kicked-off their international season in impressive form with a six try 34-17 victory against the USA on Wednesday at London Irish ARFC, Sunbury.
The A team, coached by Mike Barnett, Gavin Williams and Andy Paton, set off at a furious pace running in five tries in the first-half including a brace for Worcester’s Samantha Dale, before finishing off proceedings in the second-half with one further touchdown.
Head Coach Barnett, taking charge of his first international for England A, said: “This is a good start and the first-half was particularly encouraging. We have got to give the US credit as they fought back bravely after going down 29-0 in the first-half.
“This is just the start of the season and we have still got a lot to learn. The squad need to learn to maintain a high level of performance throughout, though I am particularly pleased that the youngsters showed real promise in their first outing while the more experienced players led from the front and Karen Jones had a good game leading the team.”
Worcester prop Dale got the ball rolling for England after just four minutes when she touched down in the left corner. A penalty handed England the chance to catch and drive from a line-out, the ball was then spun out and drove forward for Dale to muscle her way over the line.
Wasps No. 8 Heidi Shelburg helped England gain a 10-0 advantage after just seven minutes in a similar move, but this time the forward picked up and drove her way over the line. Club and country teammate Shelly Rae successfully struck the conversion.
After nine minutes it was then time for England’s backs to put some points on the board and this time it came courtesy of Saracens full-back Vicky Massarella. In a spectacular try scoring manoeuvre Wasps prop Claire Purdy drove her way through the USA defence before clearing the ball to the backs. Wasps centre Michaela Staniford then darted her way up-field, drawing in the US fullback, before off-loading to Massarella who then charged 50 metres up-field to score. Rae converted to stretch England’s lead to 19-0.
Worcester’s Gemma Sharples claimed try number four after a well worked line-out, catch and drive which then saw the ball spun out-wide with Sharples driving over the line. Dale then completed the first-half proceedings with her second touchdown on 25 minutes.
The Eagles, however, had no plans to roll over and surrender and came back at England after the restart showing passion and determination. Scrum-half Kim Magrini rewarded the US for their efforts with a 45th minute try which saw the number 9 take advantage after England lost control in a scrum. Wing Melissa Smit converted to reduce the hosts lead to 29-7.
With some fresh legs on the field and the tourists losing a player to the sin-bin England bounced back to claim their final try of the evening. This time it was the turn of substitute Charlotte Boggis. Skipper Jones was at the heart of the move and picked-up at the back of a scrum. The forwards then cleared the ball and moved it out-wide. A clever dummy by Massarella, who couldn’t quite make the line for a second time, then set-up a waiting Boggis who touched down on 65 minutes.
The US again didn’t give up and instead they had the final word of the evening, running in two late tries thanks to Natalie Marchino and Kristen Zdanczewicz making the final score 34-17.
The USA return to action on Saturday when they take on reigning RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam champions England at Sunbury, kick-off 230pm.
Referee: Rebecca Patrick
Touch judge: Claire Hodnett
Touch judge: Andrea Ttofa
Fourth Official: Paula Carter
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