England centre Joanne Watmore scored a hat-trick of tries to help her team beat France 40-8 in the Women’s International game at Lilleshall Sports Centre writes Louise Fildes.
First half touchdowns from Jodie Cunningham, Michelle Greenwood and Gemma Walsh gave the home side the perfect advantage but it was in the second half that England showed their class with further scores from Natalie Gilmour, Rachael Twibil and, three times, Watmore to round off a perfect afternoon for the Women’s team.
An injury to stand-off Walsh late on in the match was the only sour point for the England side. Walsh was taken to hospital with a suspected right knee injury.
Laurianne Guigue and Marine Janvier scored consolation tries for the French outfit.
The women’s side, coached by Brenda Dobek, produced a superb team display and Dobek was delighted with their second half performance. She said: “We recovered quite a bit in the second half. We were below average in the first half but we really upped the pace in the second period so I’m really pleased. We can take away a lot from today, although we still have a lot to learn.”
Dobek paid tribute to Watmore after her superb display. “She had a storming second half, scored three really good tries and proved what strength she has within herself,” she said.
It took just two minutes for England to open the scoring. A knock on by France just 10 metres out from their own line proved costly as England quickly capitalised, centre Cunningham forcing her way over from close range and Gilmour adding the extras.
France had their first chance eight minutes later. Two successive penalties for holding down marched them downfield and put them into a perfect position to reply. But a knock on from Janvier stopped any momentum that they had built.
England capitalised and stretched their lead when winger Twibil made a superb break down the right hand side and marched her team up to half way on the first tackle. A kick and catch from scrum half Kirsty Moroney created space for winger Greenwood, who crept in score in the left hand corner. Gilmour again added a perfect conversion and England were looking comfortable.
However, France had re-grouped and on 17 minutes they were rewarded with a well worked try. After forcing a drop out, France regained possession, the ball found centre Guigue and she scored just to the left of the posts. Audreu Pene missed with the conversion.
Both sides had further chances in the first half but neither could capitalise.
On 30 minutes, England grabbed their third try of the first half after a break down the right hand side from Cunningham. The ball eventually found Walsh who went over with three defenders holding on to her. Gilmour missed with the conversion.
France finished off the first half with a try just before the break. Delphine Lacoste collected the ball from their own re-start and after some quick passing moves, Janvier found a gap in the England defence to score. Ludivine Miorin couldn’t add the extras and England went in at half time 16-4 up and looking strong.
England began the second half on fire. With just six minutes on the clock they extended their lead to 20-8 when Twibil, after an excellent clean break down the left hand side, was held up on the third tackle. From the resulting play the ball, Watmore went over the try line; Gilmour couldn’t add the extras.
That lead was extended on 52 minutes. Gilmour side stepped through a strong France defence to score a magnificent solo try underneath the posts, she converted her own try.
France seemed to struggle with injuries in the opening stages of the second half, crucially losing their inspirational scrum half Sonia Zaghdoudi.
England took full advantage of this and added two successive tries, both through Watmore, the pick of which came after a superb 30-metre break that finished underneath the posts. Gilmour added one conversion and England were in control at 36-8 ahead.
With just eight minutes left play was stopped when England stand off Gemma Walsh went down with a badly injured knee.
But it didn’t affect England and the afternoon’s scoring was rounded off two minutes from time. France’s tired defence was cut open and winger Twibil found a gaping hole on the left hand side. Gilmour couldn’t improve but they had done enough to beat the French outfit comfortably and put in a solid performance as a perfect warm up for their tour Down Under in the autumn.
ENGLAND: 1. Lindsey Anfield, 2. Michelle Greenwood, 3. Joanne Watmore, 4. Jodie Cunningham, 5. Rachael Twibil, 6. Gemma Walsh, 7. Kirsty Moroney, 8. Emma Slowe, 9. Lois Forsel, 10. Amanda Donaldson, 11. Clare Robinson, 12. Beth Sutcliffe, 13. Natalie Gilmour Subs: 14, Isobel Howard, 15. Holly Freestone, 16. Danielle Bose, 17. Danielle Titterington
FRANCE: 1. Ludivine Miorin, 2. Sonia Benchougi, 3. Laurianne Guigue, 4. Rachel Cousseau, 5. Marine Janvier, 6. Jayne-Marie Bentley, 7. Sonia Zaghdoudi, 8. Nabila Zaghdoudi, 9. Elise Labrunie, 10. Audreu Pene, 11. Maud Signoret, 12. Delphine Lacoste, 13. Virginie Calvo Subs: 14. Jennifer Boukehili, 15. Safi N’Diaye, 16. Mira M’Raidi, 17. Marine Gonzalez
REFEREE: Warren Turley
Womens Internationals
England women sweep to victory
Pankhurst Cup Set For Doncaster
Fans are advised to arrive early at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster tonight (October 23) for the Gillette Four Nations match between England and France.
The match will be preceded by a historic curtain-raiser between the Combined Services Women’s team and their England Students counterparts.
“The two teams have played each other previously but last season the Steering Group decided to provide a trophy in order to raise the profile of this contest and the female game in general. For obvious reasons it was agreed to name it after Emily Pankhurst,” said Pat Crawshaw, Chair of the RFL’s National Female Steering Group.
“We are obviously delighted that we are now able to showcase the match prior to a full international game. This is yet another of example of how Rugby League is developing.”
England Students coach Amanda Wilkinson has named an 18-man squad for the clash after an intensive training session last weekend at Edge Hill University.
Despite losing Greenhead College student Beth Pollard – who picked up an injury playing for Siddal on Sunday – Wilkinson remains upbeat.
“We have a strong squad and are in the position to bring in another quality player to replace Beth.
“This year we have picked a really youthful squad with most of our players not yet at University. These girls however have come through the Champion Schools programme so are relatively experienced players.”
The game is set to kick off at 5.15pm on the Keepmoat Stadium pitch two.
England Students Squad:
Sam Cleaver (Thomas Danby College),
Chelsea White (Huddersfield New College),
Jodie Cunningham (Priestley College),
Kristen Breakenridge (Priestley College),
Adelle Vickerstaffe (Liverpool Hope University),
Laura Rowell (University of Cumbria),
Emily Rudge (Priestley College),
Steph Geldard (Leeds Metropolitan University),
Toni Tompkins (Guiseley 6th Form),
Sarah Hothersall (University of Cumbria),
Chelsea Danby (Leeds City College),
Lizzy Gladman (Priestley College),
Heike Niemand (Leeds University),
Rachel Farnham (Leeds University),
Jasmine Baker (Greenhead College),
Naomi West wood (Leeds City College),
Michelle O’Brien (Riverside College).
Last Updated on Friday, 23 October 2009 15:27
Burgess aiming to make flying start to Four Nations
Sam Burgess has stressed the need for England to hit the ground running when they open the Gillette Four Nations with a match against France at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium next Friday writes John Ledger.
The 20-year-old Bradford Bulls forward is acutely aware that England have to build valuable momentum against the French as they look ahead to the tougher challenges that will be posed by Australia and New Zealand.
Burgess was a frustrated spectator in Townsville last October when England made a less than impressive start to their 2008 Rugby League World Cup campaign with a narrow victory over Papua New Guinea.
But now, fully recovered from the injury that forced him to sit out the World Cup, the former Super League Young Player of the Year, is determined to do what he can to make sure England do themselves proud in the Gillette Four Nations.
“It’s very important that we make a good start and we’ll be going all out to smash the French at Doncaster,” said Burgess, who played at loose forward in the England team that defeated France 66-12 in Paris in June.
“We were pretty ruthless that night and we’re going to need to be even more so next week. All the boys are fired up for this one, we know what we have to do and we can’t wait.
“France have a big, physical pack and they’re going to come out trying to batter us. That’s the way I like it.
“I’ve always loved the physical side of the game, the more they come at me the better I play so it’s going to be a great occasion. Bring it on!”
Burgess will also be in his preferred position at the back of the pack for England in this Saturday’s Gillette Fusion International against Wales in Bridgend, a match which marks the beginning of the end of his career as a Super League player before he moves on to join NRL club South Sydney.
“The Souths move is still a few months away and there’s no chance whatsoever that I’m going to allow it to distract me,” said Burgess, who was persuaded to join the Rabbitohs by the sport’s most famous club owner, the Hollywood actor Russell Crowe.
“It’s been an ambition of mine to play in the NRL since I was 14 and though I’m really looking forward to the new challenge it’s not something I’m dwelling on too much.
“All my focus is on playing well for England. It would be fantastic to fly out to Australia in December as a member of the England team that won the Gillette Four Nations.”
Tickets for England’s opening fixture against France in the Gillette Four Nations at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium on Friday October 23 are available from £20 and £10 for concessions. Season ticket holders at all engage Super League and Co-operative Championship clubs can buy tickets from just £10.
To purchase tickets, please call 0844 856 11 13 or visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk
For the latest information on the Gillette Four Nations, please visit www.gillette4nations.co.uk
Last Updated on Thursday, 15 October 2009 11:03
McGuire expects tough French exam at the Keepmoat
Leeds Rhinos' Grand Final winning stand-off Danny McGuire believes Catalans Dragons’ run in the end of season play-offs will make France a much greater threat in the upcoming Gillette Four Nations writes Craig Spence.
McGuire, one of five Leeds Rhinos players named in the 24 man England squad, was Man of the Match against the Dragons in the Qualifying Semi Final and thinks that France will benefit from the inclusion of 15 Catalans players.
“I think they will be full of confidence,” said McGuire. “The way Catalans performed in the back end of the year was as good as everyone in Super League. They gave us a very tough time at Headingley and they’ll want to carry that form into these internationals.
“France are always a big physical side with a big pack and they’ve got creative players as well. It’s going to be a very dangerous game for us.”
England beat France earlier this year in the Gillette Fusion International, however McGuire knows that victory in Paris will have no bearing over next Friday’s result at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium.
“They are going to be a lot more dangerous this time around.
“We beat them pretty convincingly in the mid season Test but they were missing quite a few of their experienced players and they’ve now also got Clint Greenshields to throw into the mix. He’s a top quality player and one of Catalans’ best players so he’ll add a lot to their side.
“It will be a different type of game to the mid season Test. There’s going to be more competition in it because it’s the start of the Four Nations and France will still be hurting from that defeat in June. Nobody likes having 60 points put on them and they’ll be desperate to put it right. That gives them some extra motivation for this game.”
Tickets for England’s opening fixture against France in the Gillette Four Nations at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium are available from £20 and £10 for concessions. Season ticket holders at all engage Super League and Co-operative Championship clubs can buy tickets from just £10.
To purchase tickets, call 0844 856 11 13 or visit www.rugbyleagueticket.co.uk
For the latest information on the Gillette Four Nations, visit www.gillette4nations.co.uk
Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 October 2009 06:29
England name young squad for women’s internationals
England Rugby League Head Coach Brenda Dobek has named a strong blend of youth and experience in the 20-woman squad that will cross the Channel for two Tests against France later this week.
The squad, which departs today, includes four under-18s who have emerged from the talent development programme this year: Hannah Bairstow, Jodie Lea Cunningham, Emily Rudge and sixteen year old Kelsey Morgan.
England will play both fixtures in Toulouse on July 19 and 25 when Dobek will be joined by an experienced backroom team providing enhanced mental and physical support.
“The trip to France will be an opportunity for the women to build on our performance in the World Cup last year and a chance for the new and experienced to help cement their places for the next World Cup in England in 2012,” said Dobek.
RFL Performance Programmes Manager Nic Corrigan said: “The tour to France will be used as an assessment tool as we mark the progress of the women in the lead up to the World Cup.
“In order to realise our potential, the team are now fully integrated into the RFL Performance and Coaching de partment support structures. Coming to France will give us the opportunity to create a competitive environment vital in preparation for the World Cup but most importantly allowing players to develop their talent.
“Following the test series players will then embark on the remaining talent development squad dates, with another 20 players identified form the Carnegie Rugby League Super 4 competition aimed at long term player development across key areas such as technical ability, lifestyle and nutrition.”
Both Tests kick off at 6pm with the second game acting as a curtain raiser to Toulouse Olympique v Widnes Vikings in the Co-operative Championship.
ENGLAND WOMEN: Hannah Bairstow (Middleton) Danielle Bose (Bradford Thunderbirds) Jodie-Lea Cunningham (Warrington Ladies RC) Andrea Dobson (Wakefield Panthers) Natalie Gilmour (Wakefield Panthers) Claire Hall (Copeland Wildcats) Amy Hardcastle (Siddal Ladies) Charlene Henegan (Bradford Thunderbirds) Isobel Howard (Warrington Ladies RC) Margaret Lowish (Nottingham Outlaws) Kelsey Morgan (Wakefield Panthers) Katie O'Toole (Wakefi eld Panthers) Sarah Roper (Copeland Wildcats) Emily Rudge (Warrington Ladies RC) Emma Slowe (Wakefield Panthers) Beth Sutcliffe (Hillside Hawkes) Lisa Taylor (Middleton) Rachel Twibill (Bradford Thunderbirds) Joanne Watmore (Warrington Ladies RC) Jenny Welsby (Warrington Ladies RC).
Staff: Brenda Dobek (Head Coach) Nig el Johnson (Assistant Coach) Nic Corrigan (Tour Manager) Anita Naughton (Team Manager) Dr Patrick Dissmann (Head Physician) Charlotte Steggles (Physiotherapist) Damian Kingsbury (Strength & Conditioner) Lee Crombleholme (Mental Skills Support)