Contents
1. Australia v Samoa
2. Scotland v Wales
3. Canada v Fiji
4. France v Italy
The RWC organisers wisely decided to restrict matches to the weekend, allowing more people to attend, and giving teams a proper break.
That means seven per weekend, and with the big launch at Sunderland on Friday eight between the 22nd and 24th.
The line-up promised two one-sided games and two tight corkers. It didn’t quite work out like that.
Australia v Samoa
I’m afraid this soon descended into one-way traffic. It took Katalina Amosa less than a minute to open the scoring. Desiree Miller’s second try came from simple passes down the back line to the unmarked winger.
The Wallaroos had the bonus-point sewn up inside a quarter-hour.
At least there was a big crowd at Salford to cheer the underdogs, as the English always do. As the Manusina won their first penalty, it was greeted with delight. That was repeated with each success, big and small.
Their front-row was responsible for building their first attack; like the many that followed, it foundered all too quickly, and inexperience led to multiple penalties. These all come from the lack of quality competition. The Oceania Cup has brought a great boost, but not yet enough.
The Wallaroos couldn’t afford to let up; they had their personal futures at stake. They had to ensure they remained in contention for the coming games. The USA await them in a key match.
The scoreboard was kept working hard to the end. Australia achieved a record score, and some, especially the younger team-members, impressed.
Result: 73-0
Player of the Match: Cecilia Smith
Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)
Scotland v Wales
The Celtic battles are famed for their tightness. Few could have predicted this result.
All three nations, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, have suffered neglect; all seemed to have recovered in time for the World Cup.
The Scottish captain, Rachel Malcolm, signalled two distractions that worried her team. First Bryan Easson’s announcement of his intended retirement; second, far more important, contracts were not settled.
How much would these factors affect the game?
Answer: Fran McGhie scored a try after 57 seconds. When Lana Skeldon dropped the ball, the Welsh seemed to hesitate. The ball fell backwards, and quick hands transferred it to the winger who flew over.
It already looked like a poor day for the Welsh when Kelsey Jones’ first line-out throw was wonky. She repeated the feat more than once.
But her side had Alex Callender back on duty. They won a penalty; from the line-out they drove for Al Cal to get the last touch. That was better!
The Scots were far more controlled and accurate in their movements. A series of drives to the line and the ball swung left for McGhie to notch her second.
Keira Bevan responded with a penalty, and a score of 10-8 looked like bringing a typically close finish.
A decisive break through midfield by Lisa Thomson – she and Emma Orr were a constant threat in midfield – put her pack close to the line, and Leia Brebner-Holden scored her first international try. That action helped to decide the match.
Half-time 17-8
Whatever Sean Lynn suggested at the break failed to have its effect. The longer the game continued, the more dominant the Scots grew.
In the second 40 they added 21 points without reply. Almost at once lovely handling brought McGhie her hat-trick try.
In the process the Welsh returned to their pre-Lynn habits: wrong options, inaccuracies, attacks that failed to gain metres and the inevitable penalties. Gwen Crabb was shown a yellow.
It’s very early days, but in this cut-throat competition teams have to start off right. This was a rare runaway victory in this series.
Result: Scotland 38 Wales 8
Player of the Match: Francesca McGhie
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
Venue: Salford
Canada v Fiji
This was the second likely mismatch of the day, another where the dominant side had to keep its foot on the pedal to ensure the onlooking management was impressed.
The first scrum rocked the Fijians backwards. At the attacking line-out that followed Sophie de Goede peeled round to score an effortless looking try.
The Canadians didn’t run away with the first half; the white-shirted Fijians kept defending solidly and trying to put their favoured playing style into effect: fast and loose. Unfortunately it was too loose, and the Canadians, impressively quick and accurate in all sectors, had their reward.
One reason the half-time score was ‘only’ 24-0 was a yellow for Taylor Perry. It was not upgraded. Still, it was all Canada, and Brittany Kassil, Caroline Crossley and Alysha Corrigan added tries – the last thanks to a great link by de Goede.
The Break
I won’t admit who my favourite Canadian player has been for the past two years, but remarkable events took place after the restart.
Inside three (3) minutes Julia Schell scored three tries. Yes, hat-tricks have already become common currency in this tournament, but three minutes? And my story has barely begun. Three further Canadian raids all finished with the ball in Schell’s hands. She was wide-eyed; the expressions on the benchers’ faces turned from delight to sheer disbelief.
My records indicate that the six tries were completed between the 49th and 72nd minutes. Who needs Portia Woodman? The last saw a cross-kick bounce obediently into her hands.
The one worry for the Maple Leafs was seeing Fancy Bermudez limping off. They have plenty of reserves, but would far prefer to enjoy her presence.
The Fijian spectators continued their colourful support. Choruses of ‘Fiji, Fiji!’ grew louder.
We must hope they have better results to enjoy in future weeks. Their players never gave up trying.
Result: Canada 73 Fiji 0
Player of the Match: Julia Schell
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR)
Venue: York
Afterthought
With backs including Schell, Caity Mattinson, Claire Gallagher, Emma Uren, Ellie Boatman, Carys Cox and Celia Quansah on their books, who’s going to stop Trailfinders next season?
France v Italy
This, the second big 6 Nations match-up of the day, proved a huge disappointment.
So much hung on the result; everyone knows it’s vital to get off to a flying start. Instead, one of Fabio Roselli’s newer faces, Alissa Ranuccini, dropped the kick- off under little pressure.
That set the tone. Nerves again?
This was merely the first of many slips that marked the game; it lacked fluency and scores.
France have a far superior CV at the World Cup, yet by the break they had contrived a single try. At least it was a beauty. As the ball moved left down the line, Joanna Grisez came racing across in support. She spotted the gap and raced through. Proper French play.
Then they reverted to the new style: every time they could, they would offer Morgane Bourgeois the chance to pot at goal. She had one.
Just before the lemons we had a most curious incident. Neither Sara Cox nor the TMO could decide whether Bourgeois or Alyssa D’Inca had got the final touch beyond the line. After the closest examination the verdict was “Simultaneous, no try!”
I rack my fading brain for a parallel.
Half-time 10-0
The coaches’ exhortations did little good. In the succeeding 40 minutes Les Bleues added 14 more points, but not enough to gain a potentially vital bonus. The Italian cupboard remained bare.
Italy were putting up a determined defence, but that’s only half the game. Sofia Stefan insisted on sending up a hundred box-kicks – the reverse of No 9 tactics in other matches. Few if any produced results.
She and D’Inca did contrive a dangerous move, but it foundered close to the line.
Assia Khalfaoui widened the margin early on with a powerful drive, but France’s only other contribution was a try to Charlotte Escudero on the end of a rolling maul – very English.
It meant that they failed to secure a bonus point that many yet prove crucial.
Result: France 24 Italy 0
Player of the Match: Joanna Grisez
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
Afterthoughts
There was precious little atmosphere, even on a ground as famed for tense matches as Sandy Park.
I’m sure that four games in one day is one too many – even for the most ardent fan.
The contrast with the one other match played under lights; at Sunderland, could hardly have been greater.
All good things come in threes.
