England win the World Cup

It was in truth a fairly nervy affair with plenty of errors in a brutally physical contest, but tries from Nolli Waterman - the product of a great team effort - and a fine solo effort from the outstanding Emily Scarratt did enough to secure the World Cup for England at last.

Crucial for England was a resolute defence which when it mattered kept the door shut on Canada when they came knocking either side of half time.

Vital too was the performance of Maggie Alphonsi who was back to her all round typical best with a superb display over the 80 minutes.

Canada took it to England early and Emily Scarratt was pinged for not releasing Magali Harvey on the floor. England dealt with it well and then won the battle at the first scrum with a penalty to get themselves out of their own 22.

Mo Hunt then broke through for the first serious opening of the game with a 20 yard dash, and from a ruck a few plays later England won a penalty to hand Scarratt the opening shot at the posts which she duly took to give her side the lead after ten minutes.

Harvey then almost intercepted as she raced off her line to push hard on Scarratt and minutes later Julianne Zussman almost did likewise as Kat Merchant threw a risky quick line out.

England made another searing break as Canada’s narrow defence was exposed by Waterman but Karen Paquin did brilliantly to get back and hit Merchant who looked certain to be in for a try.

Hunt then did get over the try line following a quick tap but the TMO judged it to be held up and Canada’s scrum did brilliantly to win the penalty on their 5 metre line to clear the danger.

It was all England now and on 24 minutes Scarratt pushed them further ahead with her second shot at the posts.

As Maggie Alphonsi’s influence on the game grew, so too did England’s and when the ball was shipped wide quickly and Scarratt burst through, England got through for the opening try with the last pass coming to Waterman from her flanker.

Canada’s best chance came a few minutes before half time when Paquin broke expertly for the scrum and Marchak went through the middle. England held though not without conceding a penalty which Harvey slotted to make it 11-3 at the break.

A couple of big hits from Andrea Burk and Marchak pushed England back early in the second half and Harvey had a second shot at the posts on 44 minutes which she took to reduce the gap.

It was a much better start to the second half from Canada who were also getting much better change at the scrum where England had done well in the first half.

England were doing a top job of keeping the influential Kelly Russell quiet, with Alphonsi in particular putting her under huge pressure from every scrum.

Canada then opted for pack power and won a penalty when England pulled down their well worked maul. Harvey obliged with the long range effort and suddenly there were just two points in it.

England restored the 5-point lead almost immediately when Packer forced a penalty from the restart and Scarratt’s boot was to hand again.

Canada had chances but handling errors proved to be costly despite their growing dominance in possession.

As the clock ticked on both sides looked understandably nervy with untypical fumbles in contact.

The game needed something special to bring it to life and it came after 73 minutes through the outstanding Scarratt who shrugged off a tackle and a ran superb line to score near the posts.

It was a sucker punch for Canada who with just six minutes on the clock could do little with England out to an unassailable 21-9 lead.

England:Danielle Waterman (Bristol), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Rachael Burford (Thurrock), Kay Wilson (Bristol) ,Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) C, Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), Marlie Packer (Wasps), Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) VC

Replacements:  Emma Croker (Richmond), Laura Keates (Worcester), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Alexandra Matthews (Richmond), La Toya Mason (Wasps), Ceri Large (Worcester), Claire Allan (Richmond)

Canada: Julianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC), Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec), Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC), Andrea Burk, (Capilano RFC), Jessica Dovanne, (Velox RFC), Emily Belchos, (Markham Irish RFC), Elissa Alarie, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club), Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, (Club de Rugby Quebec), Kim Donaldson, (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club), Hilary Leith, (Capilano RFC), Latoya Blackwood, (St. Anne de Bellevue), Maria Samson, (Calgary Hornets), Jacey Murphy, (Aurora Barbarians), Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) ,Kelly Russell, Captain (Toronto Nomads)

Replacements: Laura Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, Olivia DeMerchant, (Woodstock Wildmen), Mary-Jane Kirby, (Highland RFC) Brampton, Tyson Beukeboom, (Aurora Barbarians), Kayla Mack, (Wild Oats RFC), Julia Sugawara, (Burnaby Lake RFC) Surrey, Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club)