Americans register close 11-10 win over Canadian senior women’s rugby team

LAKELAND, Fla. — The United States edged Canada’s national senior women’s rugby team 11-10 on Saturday to gain a split of their two Test matches.

Canada won the opening game 18-8 on Wednesday.

The Canadians mounted a late rally in an attempt to register the sweep with a late try by Mandy Marchak. But the conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

After a scoreless opening half, the Canadians went ahead 5-3 on fullback Ashley Patzer’s try.

The Americans countered with Stephanie Bruce’s second penalty to regain the lead 6-5 before Vanesha McGee ran 30 metres to put the U.S. ahead 11-5 following the missed conversion.

In other action, Canada’s under-20 women’s team rallied to earn a 13-12 victory over the U.S.

Replacement Kelsey Willoughby’s try with a few minutes remaining gave the Canadians their one-point lead.

Update 1/18/10: To view the archived video for this match, go here.

For travel packages to England for the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup, go here.