England Women U20s got their Tri-Nations Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 10-try 62-0 victory over USA.
The young Red Roses led 22-0 at half-time, scoring four tries through Phoebe Murray, Lucie Skuse, Carys Cox and Cara Clarke, as well as one conversion.
They followed that up with six further tries in the second period with Akina Gondwe, Clarke, Detysha Harper, Cox, Ebony Jefferies and Jess Cooksey all crossing.
Jo Yapp’s side will next face Canada on Sunday 28 July.
Murray was first to cross before Skuse showed a burst of pace down the right wing to score.
Cox went over in the corner after good team play and Clark completed the first-half scoring with a brilliant individual effort.
Gondwe was first to cross after the second period, powering over the line with Clarke finishing off a fine run soon after.
Harper was next on the scoresheet while Cox was the beneficiary of a nice offload by Ebony Jefferies to score her second.
Jefferies scored the penultimate try before Cooksey scored a fine individual effort to complete the victory.
England Women U20s head coach Jo Yapp said: “We are really pleased with the girls’ efforts overall because we wanted to play a wider game and they really tried hard to do that.
“We made a few mistakes in the first half but in the second period we started to correct those and we played simple but effective rugby which was exactly what we wanted. They worked so hard this week so to see some of it come off is really satisfying.
“The key thing now is rest and recovery. We’ll review the game and that is an opportunity for us to improve. Although we are pleased with the result, we know we can do better and will have to against Canada who will be really tough opposition.”
England Women U20s
15. Carys Cox, Worcester Warriors Women/ Cardiff Metropolitan University
14. Cara Clarke, Worcester Warriors Women/ University of Bath
13. Phoebe Murray, Bristol Bears Women/ Bristol University (Vice-captain)
12. Megan Varley, Worcester Warriors Women/ Coventry University
11. Ellen Ramsbottom, Loughborough Lightning/ Loughborough College
10. Lucie Skuse, Bristol Bears Women
9. Jodie Mallard, Loughborough Lightning/ Loughborough College
1. Akina Gondwe, Worcester Warriors Women/ University of Worcester
2. Bryony Field, Loughborough Lightning/ Loughborough College
3. Detysha Harper, Firwood Waterloo Ladies/ Manchester Metropolitan University
4. Iona Antwis, Gloucester-Hartpury Women/ Hartpury College
5. Hollie Cunningham, Bristol Bears Women/ Exeter University
6. Tabitha Copson, Gloucester-Hartpury Women/ Hartpury College
7. Amelia Harper, Loughborough Lightning/ Loughborough College (Captain)
8. Ebony Jefferies, Bristol Bears Women/ University of Exeter
Finishers
16. Connie Powell, Gloucester-Hartpury Women/ Hartpury College
17. Lauren Leatherland, Worcester Warriors Women/ University of Worcester
18. Florence Long, Bristol Bears Women/ SGS College Filton
19. Eleanor Febrey, Gloucester-Hartpury Women/ Hartpury College
20. Anya Richmond, Loughborough Lightning/ Loughborough College
21. Flo Robinson, Pulborough RFC
22. Emma Hardy, Loughborough Lightning/ Loughborough University
23. Jess Cooksey, Gloucester-Hartpury Women/ Hartpury College
Jessica Thomas [Bristol Bears Women/ University of Exeter], Laura Perrin [Firwood Waterloo] and Bethany Wilcock [Harlequins Ladies/ Brockenhurst College] make up the wider Tri-Nations squad.
Tri-Nations Cup fixtures and results
England Women U20 62-0 USA
Tries: Phoebe Murray, Lucie Skuse, Carys Cox 2, Cara Clarke 2, Akina Gondwe, Detysha Harper, Ebony Jefferies, Jess Cooksey. Cons: Skuse 6
Wednesday 24 July: USA Women U20 v Canada Women U20 (KO 17:00 BST)
Sunday 28 July: Canada Women U20 v England Women U20 (KO 15:00 BST)
Courtesy of the RFU
