Defeat for gutsy Wales

England led from the 2nd minute, when good handling put Worcester’s Kim Shaylor in for the first of her three tries. Wales put up a spirited and defiant defence, winning possession on numerous occasions to allow some strong attacks from Manon Williams and Elen Evans. The visitors crossed three more times in the first half, with Karen Andrew converting one to lead the teams into the break with a 0-22 scoreline.

The second half started much as the first with an England try by Shaylor inside the first two minutes. Following a drive up field by Shannon Baker, Sue Day returned a loose Welsh kick to half way, before her well timed pass put Shaylor clear to score under the posts. This marked the turning point of the match with England’s back line clicking into gear as the Welsh began to tire.

With Susie Appleby’s arrival at fly half, England scored nine ties and 59 unanswered points in a punishing second half display. As well as Shaylor’s hat-trick of tries, there were two tries a piece for Paula George, Sue Day and Lichfield’s flyer – Charlotte Barras. Barras also converted six of the second half scores to finish the match with an impressive 22 points.

Wales Head Coach, Phil John said “The girls gave a gutsy performance against a very powerful English side.  Although the result was disappointing, there are lots of areas we can work on from the game and take into next week’s fixture in Spain”.

Scoring sequence

02 min – Try Kim Shaylor (0-5)
15 min – Try Rochelle Clark (0-10)
30 min – Try Selena Rudge (0-15), converted Karen Andrew (0-17)
39 min – Try Paula George (0-22)
Half time 0-22

41 min – Try Kim Shaylor (0-27), converted Karen Andrew (0-29)
47min – Try Shannon Baker (0-34)
52 min – Try Charlotte Barras (0-39)
56 min – Try Sue Day (0-44), converted Charlotte Barras (0-46)
58 min – Try Paula George (0-51), converted Charlotte Barras (0-53)
62 min – Try Sue Day (0-58), converted Charlotte Barras (0-60)
75 min – Try Charlotte Barras (0-65), converted Charlotte Barras (0-67)
76 min – Try Emily Cooke (0-72), converted Charlotte Barras (0-74)
80 min – Try Kim Shaylor (0-79), converted Charlotte Barras (0-81)
Full time 0-81

Wales team

01. Amy Broadstock (Llandaff North)
02. Jenny Davies (Caernarfon)
03. Louise Horgan (Saracens)
04. Claire Donovan (Saracens)
05. Becky Dando (Cardiff Quins)
06. Catrina Nicholas (UWIC)
07. Kylie Wilson (Waterloo)
08. Emma Phillips (Llandaff North)
09. Cath Walkley (Aberystwyth)
10. Awen Thomas (Cardiff Quins)
11. Louise Rickard (Saracens)
12. Lowri Jones (Bala)
13. Rhian Williams (Wasps)
14. Manon Williams (Caernarfon)
15. Elen Evans (Dolgellau)

16. Nicola John (Cardiff Quins)
17. Claire Horgan (Waterloo)
18. Ayla Rose (Llandaff North)
19. Rachel Brown (Waterloo)
20. Becky Davies (Cardiff Quins)
21. Stacey Saunders (Tylorstown)
22. Lucy Berry (Fishguard & Goodwick)