USA fight back to take first win

USA trailed 10-0 with France making the most of some early promise with two well taken tries but the home side hit back and claimed an excellent win.

“The second half was a really good performance for us and some great rugby,” said head coach, Pete Steinberg.  “The first half was disappointing, but we were able to adjust our game and play at the pace we knew we could play at.”

France dominated the opening half, pressing home their power at set piece time and stifling any US momentum with excellent defence.

The French went on the attack from the off, kicking the ball deep into the US half and despite numerous attempts to clear the ball, USA couldn’t get out of their own half in the early exchanges.

French youngster Jessy Tremouliere made the most of the territory through  some excellent line breaks and a penalty effort that was just wide.

But Tremouliere would not be denied and she shortly after dotted down for a try a well taken try for a 5-0 lead.

Sadie Anderson returned the favour from the next kickoff by pinning France deep into its own territory but the French were soon back on the attack and an excellent driving line out saw hooker Juanno Sainlo dive over to score. Sandrine Agricole was unable to convert but the visitors took a 10-0 lead.

USA needed to score next and they did with a fine strike from Sadie Anderson from 25 metres for a 10-3 score. Anderson missed a shot soon after, but as the penalties began to favour the USA, she made it 10-6 before the break and the momentum swung to the home side.

In the second half, the USA picked up the pace of play to immediately put the Blue under pressure. France were reduced to 14 when Sainlo was binned for not rolling away and USA made the most of the player advantage with an excellent try from Sarah Chobot and the convertion made it 13-10 with the recovery complete.

France and the USA will meet again on Tuesday (June 11) for the second match in the three test series.

USA

1. Sarah Chobot (Reddick @ 67)

2. Kittery Wagner (Augustyn @ 69)

3. Jamie Burke (Wilson @ 74)

4. Sarah Walsh (Zdanczewicz @ 71)

5. Molly Kinsella (Daley @ 60)

6. Stacey Bridges

7. Lynelle Kugler

8. Shaina Turley (C)

9. Jossy Tseng

10.  Hannah Stolba

11.  Ryan Carlyle

12.  Megan Bonny

13.  Meya Bizer (Peterson @ 40)

14.  Erica Cavanaugh (Street @ 76)

15. Sadie Anderson

Replacements

16. Katy Augustyn

17. Jessica Davis

18. Naima Reddick

19. Kristen Zdanczewicz

20. Kate Daley

21. Carrie White

22. Anne Peterson

23. Amanda Street

FRANCE

1. Lise Arricastre (Ezanno @ 40)

2. Juanno Sainlo (sin @ 52, Mignot @ 62)

3. Chobet Christelle (Portaries @ 57)

4. Robia Souder

5. Corson Lenaig (Koita @ 72)

6. Diallo Caccombo (Grand @ 72)

7. Marion Andre

8. Sophie Pin

9. Marie-Alice Yahe (Revolaen @64)

10. Sandrine Agricole

11.  Celine Heguy

12. Lucille Godiveal

13. Sandra Metier

14.  Clemence Rousseau (Fourcade @ 56)

15. Jessy Tremouliere

Replacements

16. Gaelle Mignot

17. Helene Ezanno

18. Elodie Portaries

19. Asso Koita

20. Laetitia Grand

21. Yanna Revolaen

22. Lanelin Fourcade

23. Aurelie Bailon