England edge Canada

Graham:"For me this was the toughest and most competitive game of all the game played, Canada started very well and where very physical putting England under a great deal of pressure.

This was a game of two styles, surprisingly for François Canada played a very forward-oriented tight game with pick and go after pick and go. To be fair England defended this plan very well all night and in the second half spent a good period on their own line keeping Canada out.

It is clear from England’s tournament performances they were focussing on developing a style of play concentrating on keeping the ball in hand and trying to play with width however as with all their games at times execution of the basics were below what they would expect and this meant they put themselves under pressure. (I would add that that could be said for all the teams because quality wise it has been a poor tournament and the teams who have lost, have lost because of big error counts and this gave the games to the opposition. In my opinion)"

Natasha: "The opening 20 minutes was slightly scrappy with numerous turnovers, be it penalties or unforced errors. Both teams were using their strong forward pack to good effect trying to suck in the others defensive line. England managed to capitalise on this with some good tactical kicking from Scott. Canada's line speed was fierce all game and Scott saw the opportunity to get in behind the strong defence."

GS "England where resilient in defence and at times needed to be physical and mentally tough. Canada put England under huge pressure in the scrum and early on England lineout was faltering which they did sort out.

Both teams suffered from giving away too many penalties and this did not allow either team to build phases. When England did it led to the first try, from a lineout the ball went to Fisher who ran hard beating a couple of tackles, the breakdown was effective and quick went through the hands to Scarratt who beat one defender to set up space for Kay Wilson who backed her pace and scored in the corner, the conversion was missed."

NH: "From the restart England put themselves under pressure as they couldn't regain possession. Canada were camped in the England half using their forwards to good effect getting over the gain line. England couldn't clear their lines and eventually Canada got their reward with a penalty awarded just in front of the posts. The ever present Burke struck it over to take the score to 5-3.

"Canada's ball retention proved to be troubling England as they kept getting over the gain line. Canada used their forwards well with a pick and go game matching England back about 40m. However some great forward play by the understated Tamara Taylor stopped the surge by sliding around and holding the Canadians up. "

GS: "England second try was similar to the first but this time from a for once solid scrum (Alex Matthews was outstanding at 8 dealing with a scrum going backwards yet making a lot of ground from her carries off poor ball) Matthews carried with another forward pick and go from the breakdown the went through quick hands of Scott, Large, Scarratt and Wilson showed her pace again.Once settled England worked their exit plans well from restarts, enabling Scott, Large and Scarratt to kick for territory.

NH: "Sustained pressure from Canada, good continuity and some strong forwad play kept England in their half. After a scrum feed that wasn't straight Scarratt relieved the pressure with a huge boot making Canada attack from their 22! Following that there were a lot of exchanges around the half way line but even with strong running from Blackwell and Russell couldn't break down the English line. Eventually another penalty was awarded to Canada this time for not releasing. Burke had a shot at posts just inside the 10m line and converted it extremely well!. Canada went into the break trailing England 10-6."

NH: "England made two changes to the front row with Laura Keates and Amy Cokane coming onto the field."

GS: "They started the second half well and kept Canada in their own half with some good kicking options. Canada continued to use their forwards however it looked like they wanted to breakout with more of an off-loading game to move the point of attack."

"England had more control of the game early in the second half and as they made the changes the replacements had an influence, Scot, Read, Keates and Cokayne working hard."

"Canada then took control of the game dominating territory and possession as the game went on it was clear that the team who made least mistakes would win."

NH:"Some quick thinking from Guthire and a good offload to the strong Blackwood kept England on the back foot. Another quick tap that was taken very quickly on what would have been a kickable penalty paid off as Amanda Thornborough went over after sucking the English defence in. Well constructed forward play and quick hands was enough to see Thornborough go over to make the score 11-10.

"Canada's line speed was again proving difficult to break down, England kept the ball well and eventually were awarded a penalty. Scarratt tried to put it into the corner but a Canadian knock on gave England a good attacking opportunity and a 5m scrum instead. England used the width to pull Canada around and another penalty this time for high tackle was put into the corner. Canada's maul defence stood firm again and were awarded a 5m scum. Murphy relieved pressure well with a very good pick followed by a good Burke kick but Scarratt ran it back with good return being awarded a penalty for her efforts. Her kick pulled to the left so Canada remained ahead by one point. "

GS: "England’s next try was scored by Cokayne."

NH: "Fisher made a 30 meter break after a well executed line out and great call. The ball was popped down from Abbie Scott to Fisher in the 5m channel. Cover defence for Canada got back well but after being held up initially"

GS: "The backs where released and a quality pass from Read found Cokayne on the wing to score."

NH: "Zussman who had a strong game in defence found a great touch finder to pin England back into their 22. After a 10m scrum penalty was taken quickly Canada kept the ball at close quarters with their forwards but couldn't convert. Another penalty was awarded but this time  Canada opted for the kick at posts, Burke placed it between the upright to bring her side to within one point. 15-14.

England had some good build up play but an interesting forward pass decision handed Canada the ball back just inside their half. Zussman kicked over after a well worked 8-9-15 move placing the pressure back on England. A low pass to Scott added to the pressure as Canada were awarded a 5m scrum. England however came away with the ball after a great forward effort. Scarratt marched Canada back down the pitch with a lengthy touch finder."

GS: "With 10mins to go England tour captain Sarah Hunter came on and made two crucial turnovers which seemed to give England territory to close the game out. However discipline played a part and Canada gained ground through penalties."

NH: "Some tense exchanges in the final 8 minutes meant for an exciting finish. Canada had a good chance in the last play making some good ground but the English defence proved too strong yet again. A penalty was awarded for not releasing just inside the 22 and 10m to the right of the posts, it was a huge pressure kick for Burke with the kick being the last play of the game! The flags stayed down and Canada do gown to England by one point."

A fantastically competitive game with both teams getting some great experience for younger players.

---

The result meant that Canada finished the series without a win on home soil having lost to the USA and New Zealand earlier in the competition.

“We had a great performance today,” Canadian head coach Francois Ratier said. “The players stuck to the gameplan and we highlighted the weaknesses of the English around the breakdown. I’m really proud of the players today. The game is on one kick at the end so that’s what it is. No one can blame the kicker or the team. It was a fantastic effort.”“We can take many positives from today,” Ratier said. “I know we can play wide as we scored eight tries in the other two games. I know we can fight and go into the breakdown. I have a lot of satisfaction after today’s game."

"We came in with a development team and they showed their strength,” Latoya Blackwood said. “They showed the reason why they got selected for this tour and we’re so proud of them and what we’re going to build on for the 2017 World Cup.”

Canada1. Carolyn McEwen (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club), Vancouver, BC; 2. Mary-Jane Kirby, (Highland RFC) Brampton, ON; 3. DaLeaka Menin, (Hornets) Vulcan, AB; 4. Cindy Nelles, (Oakville Crusaders / Belleville Bulldogs) Belleville, ON; 5. Laura Russell,Captain,(Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON; 6. Barbara Mervin, (Velox RFC) Peterborough, ON; 7. Latoya Blackwood, (St. Anne de Bellevue) Montreal, QC; 8. Jacey Murphy, (Aurora Barbarians) Alliston, ON; 9. Chelsea Guthrie, (Stratchona Druids) Edmonton, AB; 10. Julianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC; 11. Natasha Smith, (Barrhaven Scottish) Ottawa, ON; 12. Andrea Burk, (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC; 13. Amanda Thornborough, (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MB; 14. Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC; 15. Katie McNally (Velox Valkries) Guelph, ON;16. Olivia DeMerchant, (Woodstock Wildmen) Mapledale, NB; 17. Julia Folk, (Regina Rogues), Regina, SK; 18. Camille Provencal-Aube, (Abénakis et CRQ) Sherbrooke, QB; 19. Maria Samson, (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB; 20. Tyson Beukeboom, (Aurora Barbarians) Uxbridge, ON; 21. Emma Taylor, (Halifax RFC) Halifax, NS; 22. Alex Tessier, (Montreal Barbarians) Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QB; 23. Jess Neilson, (University of Victoria) Vancouver, BC;

England1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester); 2 Victoria Fleetwood (Saracens); 3 Justine Lucas (Lichfield); 4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks); 5 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond); 6 Heather Fisher (Thurrock); 7 Hannah Gallagher (Saracens); 8 Alexandra Matthews (Richmond); 9 Leanne Riley (Saracens); 10 Emily Scott (Thurrock); 11 Lydia Thompson (Worcester); 12 Ceri Large (Worcester); 13 Claire Allan (Richmond); 14 Kay Wilson (Thurrock); 15 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, captain)16 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield); 17 Vicky Cornborough (Richmond); 18 Laura Keates (Worcester); 19 Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks); 20 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) C; 21 Bianca Blackburn (Worcester); 22 Amber Reed (Bristol); 23 Sarah McKenna (Saracens)

New ZealandEnglandUnited StatesCanada

P3333

W3210

D0000

L0123

F113616464

A435311491

BP2113

Pts14953