USA Eagles v England – Chula Vista, San Diego 28 June 2019
Teams
| USA | England | ||
| 15 Bulou Mataitoga | Sarah McKenna | ||
| 14 Bui Baravilala | Lydia Thompson | ||
| 13 Alev Kelter | Emily Scarratt | ||
| 12 Eti Haungatau | Amber Reed | ||
| 11 Jennine Duncan | Kelly Smith | ||
| 10 Gabby Cantorna | Zoe Harrison | ||
| 9 Ashlee Byrge | Claudia Macdonald | ||
| 1 Catie Benson | Ellena Perry | ||
| 2 Joanna Kitlinski | Heather Kerr | ||
| 3 Hope Rogers | Sarah Bern | ||
| 4 Kristine Sommer | Zoe Aldcroft | ||
| 5 Stacey Bridges | Abbie Scott(Captain) | ||
| 6 Kate Zachary (Captain) | Jo Brown | ||
| 7 Joycelynn Taufa | Marlie Packer | ||
| 8 Asinate Serevi | Poppy Cleall | ||
| 16 Nick James | Clara Nielson | ||
| 17 Charli Jacoby | Hannah Botterman | ||
| 18 Alycia Washington | Chloe Edwards | ||
| 19 Elizabeth Cairns | Cath O’Donnell | ||
| 20 Olivia Ortiz | Sarah Beckett | ||
| 21 Emily Henrich | Natasha Hunt | ||
| 22 Kris Thomas | Milly Wood | ||
| 23 Katana Howard | Emily Scott | ||
Referee: Joy Neville
England began their Californian adventure with a convincing win, but they were made to toil for long periods against a hard-hitting American side.
For much of the first half it was a case of more haste, less speed. The Red Roses seemed to be playing in top gear when a moment’s pause for thought might have brought benefits.
A first rolling maul allowed Zoe Harrison to find a long touch kick and set up a promising position. When the Eagles dropped a pass, Emily Scarratt snaffled it and sent it back for Amber Reed to angle a wicked cross-kick left. There, Poppy Cleall fed Kelly Smith with the inevitable result. Scarratt converted from wide out. 0-7
The USA fought back at once, winning a sequence of penalties. Hope Rogers drove over the line to remind the Roses this was serious rugby. Alev Kelter missed an eminently kickable conversion. 5-7
But that was to remain the Eagles’ last success.
The England pack established a superiority early on which was maintained even when there were wholesale changes in the second half.
Claudia Macdonald showed her quick thinking when she realised a guard was missing beside the ruck, dummied a pass left and scooted over under the posts for her debut international try. This helped her side to settle and produce more considered football. 5-14
For all their endeavours, the Americans were liable to errors, some of them costly. When slowish passes looped out into the centre, Scarratt saw her chance coming, intercepted and cantered over. 5-21
Sarah Beckett replaced Marlie Packer before half-time
England continued to show very deft handling skills, but they rarely reached completion with a score. Fumbles and forward passes won’t be welcome later in the series. Even Scarratt committed a knock-on after several rumbles by the pack. Not enough space had been created.
Fortunately for them, the US were giving away too many penalties. These allowed the Roses’ pack to indulge in another driving maul. Heather Kerr scored the first of her two tries – a nice reward for her doctorate. Scarratt’s kick pinged back off a post.
Half-time: 5-26
A couple of minutes after the restart, Poppy Cleall was shown a yellow for pulling down. As in the France game at Doncaster, this was the signal for the team of 14 to score! Sarah Bern made two more great carries, allowing Harrison to find a long touch. Abbie Scott claimed two clean catches at line-outs and Kerr went over for her second. 5-31
As the half wore on, wholesale changes took place, reflecting the heat as much as pre-match planning. Emily Scott took Harrison’s place at No 10, and Macdonald moved to the left wing. These were decisions that showed the management’s thinking over positions that aren’t especially well catered for. Reed took over kicking duties, but remained in the centre.
Both Clara Nielson and Chloe Edwards deserve congratulation after coming on to make their debuts in such a significant match.
For all England’s efforts, only one more score accrued. It came in a most peculiar manner, which reveals the size of the challenge facing Rob Cain. As the ball came out on the American side, a player essayed a short kick–pass backwards. Unsurprisingly it fell into the wrong hands – Mo Hunt’s. She didn’t stop to say thank you.
Final score: 5-38
So warm was it that the game was played in four quarters, allowing water-breaks.
One worry is Sarah Hunter: she is still passing through HIA protocols after her injury in the Barbarians match. It means the management may have to think carefully about back-row choices. Fortunately, the Red Roses now have an 8-day lull before they meet the Canadians.
