A dramatic last minute try and a spirited second-half fightback saw England Women earn a 14 – 14 draw in Biganos against France Women this evening (Saturday June 20).
France controlled the first-half with two early penalties from Elisa Ciria and tries from Melanie Jean and Anais Mikalef gave the home side a 14-0 lead after 40 minutes.
The second-half belonged to England with Carrie Roberts going in for her first try in the 51st minute and Andrea Dobson converting. Roberts then went in for her second try on 78 minutes after play was shifted from right to left to beat the French defence.
On the last tackle of the game Amy Hardcastle scored a try to level the score at 14-14. Dobson was unsuccessful with the conversion.
England Women 14 (T: Roberts 2, Hardcastle; G: Dobson)
France Women 14 (T: Jean, Mikalef; G: Ciria 3)
England Women:
Charlotte Booth (Bradford Thunderbirds)
Samantha Simpson (Thatto Heath)
Tara Jones (Thatto Heath)
Jodie Cunningham (Thatto Heath)
Kayleigh Bulman (Featherstone Rovers)
Faye Gaskin (Thatto Heath)
Amy Robinson (Armed Forces)
Andrea Dobson © (Featherstone Rovers)
Lois Forsell (Bradford Thunderbirds)
Sarah Fletcher (Normington)
Carrie Roberts (Armed Forces)
Stacey White (Normanton)
Emily Rudge (Featherstone Rovers)
Interchange
Danielle Bound (Thatto Heath)
Danika Priim (Stanningley)
Jenny Welsby (Thatto Heath)
Amy Hardcastle (Bradford Thunderbirds)
France Women:
Elisa Ciria
Fatou Sylla
Lucie Castello
Melanie Jean
Blandine Britis
Laurianne Guigue
Alice Varela ©
Nabila Zaghoudi
Gaelle Delas
Sandrine Lloria
Anais Mikalef
Gaelle Alvernhe
Sonia Zaghdoudi
Interchange
Virginie Caalvo
Cyndia Mansard
Coralie Maurouard
Stephanie Bras
Report courtesy of England Rugby League
