England U20 Women Crowned Nations Cup Champions over USA

Archived videos from the Nations Cup is available on http://www.ustream.tv/usarugby. Check out the full U20 Nations Cup schedule, rosters and more here.

England Women Under 20s lifted the Nations Cup crown on Saturday night after a 48-11 victory over hosts USA in Santa Barbara, CA. England dominated the majority of match with help from two key scorers. England’s flanker Hannah Gallagher ran in eight tries while winger, Rebecca Hughes also claimed three tries herself. This final victory is a feather in England’s International cap this year as they have defeated all opponents including USA, Canada, South Africa, Wales, Scotland and France. While England is having a fantastic year, USA showed great improvement throughout the tournament and in particular in this final match. USA U20s Head Coach Byrn Chivers closed the tournament out with a post tournament speech letting his team know that he was proud to celebrate that they were the second best team at the tournament. “We worked very hard this tournament and coming in second is nothing to be ashamed about!”

In the second half USA came out stronger then had been seen the entire tournament. Through their physical play and heart they were able to capitalize on two penalties that were close enough for their kicker and center Amelia Bizer to make. Unfortunately, shortly after getting on the board, the USA paid the price for an error in their own 22m and England was able to steal a USA scrum. England then attacked mercilessly down the left side and put Rebecca Hughes over the line for the score.

After another few minutes of back and forth play with sparks of offensive brilliance by USA, Bizer brought the score back to 41-6 with a second penalty. The USA kept the ball with their powerful forwards until England’s defense had been completely sucked in. They then kicked an up and over with USA Amy Naber recovering the ball on the fly. Her speed was able to outlast the last England defender and USA scored their only try of the match.

England U20s Head Coach Amanda Bennett said: “Against the USA, we were outstanding in the first 40 playing at the tempo and in the style we had planned. But after the break the USA were ferocious, coming out with a desire to restore pride and put points on the board. Their physical approach really tested us and it showed in the second-half score-line.

However, England rallied after the USA scores and put Gallagher over the line for her final try, completing her hat-trick. The conversion was good, and at the final whistle England won over USA 48-11. Congratulations to England as they are the 2011 Nations Cup Champions.

Archived videos from the Nations Cup is available on http://www.ustream.tv/usarugby. Check out the full U20 Nations Cup schedule, rosters and more here.

USA Roster:

1. Colleen Carey
2. Jennifer Sandifer
3. Dorothy “Dot ” Mittow
4. Kathryn Humphries
5. Alycia Washington
6. Mackenzie Lewis
7. Amee Svatos
8. Kathryn “KJ” Johnson
9. Haley Anderson
10. Allyson Day
11. Kyandrea McKnight
12. Akalaini Baravilala
13. Amelia Bizer
14. Jacie Vonada
15. Alexandra Brown

England Roster:

1. Emily Kingston
2. Geri Thomas
3. Sarah George
4. Abbie Scott
5. Fiona Fletcher
6. Alexandra Matthews
7. Hannah Gallagher
8. Harriet Mills
9. Fiona Davidson
10. Natasha Jones
11. Rebecca Hughes
12. Ceri Large
13. Amber Reed
14. Katie Mason
15. Lucy Demaine