All too easy for England

By Ali Donnelly

England had it all their own way in Esher as they coasted to victory with 11 tries in this extremely one sided game.

England dominated from start to finish and coach Gary Street will be pleased at the form of key players like Katy McLean, Emily Scarratt and Heather Fisher.

The home teams attacks were initially thwarted by a solid Italian rearguard but it wasnt long before the floodgates opened.

McLean made a storming start to her first game as captain in a home international with some good half-breaks and offloads and it took just seven minutes for her team to register their opening score with Maggie Alphonsi crashing over following a quickly taken penalty. McLean added a penalty soon after for a deserved 8-0 lead.

Much like they did early in the game against Ireland last week, Italy managed to frustrate the English attack with some strong defending with flanker Giovanna Bado making her fair share early in the game.

The visitors though had precious little time with the ball and when Michela Este was sin-binned for an infringement on the deck, England piled on the points with three tries in ten minutes.

Heather Fisher was on the end of a drive to grab the first with the second coming from a sublime pass from McLean to fullback Danielle Waterman. England were suddenly were cruising at 20-0 and McLean was again on hand to make the offload for the next, passing to Emily Scarratt who dotted down under the posts. England led 27-0 after 33 mins.

The tries were coming thick and fast with Kat Merchant and Rowena Burnfield touching down to ensure England had a more than healthy 39-0 at the break.

There was to be no let-up in the rate of scores in the second period. Italy were simply outclassed in every department and they had no answer to a rampant home side.

More tries from Merchant and Toya Mason early in the half ensured England carried on where they left off.

Italy to their credit didnt give up, and a try from substitute Chiara Castellarin came from a super chip and chase from fullback Manuela Furlan. Castellarin made a big impact out wide in the second half but it was far too little too late.

More tries for Waterman, Georgina Roberts and a great finish from Heather Fisher rounded off the scoring for an emphatic win.

McLean was our player of the match as she was the catalyst for everything good about the home team, especially in the opening half.

While she didnt get on the end of a try herself, many of her teammates have got her to thank for their scores as her sublime passing and offloading found numerous holes in the Italian defence. Emily Scarratt was also in good form, with some superb breaks and strong running.

For Italy Furlan and Castellarin impressed late on.

Earlier in the day, England A were beaten 19-22 by the Nomads.

Scorers England:Maggie Alphonsi (1 try), Heather Fisher (2 tries), Danielle Waterman (2 tries), Rowena Burnfield (1 try), Toya Mason (1 try), Emily Scarratt (1 try), Katherine Merchant (2 tries), Katy McLean (1 pen, 5 cons), Georgina Roberts (1 try)

Scorers Italy:Chiara Castellarin (1 try)

England: Danielle Waterman, Katherine Merchant, Emily Scarratt, Kimberley Oliver, Georfina Roberts, Katy McLean (C), La Toya Mason, ClairePurdy, Emma Croker, Rochelle Clark, Joanna McGilchrist, Rowena Burnfield, Heather Fisher, Margaret Alphonsi, Sara hHunter

Replacements: Amy Garnettt (for Croker 60) Sophie Hemming(for Clarke 24 mins), Rebecca Esse (for Burnfield 67), Catherine Spencer (for Hunter 60), Georgina Rozario (for Mason 67), Rachael Burford (for Oliver 51)

Italy: Manuela Furlan, Diletta Veronese , Elisa Rochas, Paola Zangirolami, Maria Grazia, Veronica SCchiavon, Sara Barattin, Silvia Gaudino , Giovanna Bado, Michela Este, Sara Pettenelli, Flavia Severin, Lucia Gai , Sara Zanon , Elisa Cucchiella

Replacements:Silvia Peron (for Zanon 41) , Eleonora Vaghi (for Gai, 40) Martina Barbini (for Severin 40), Cecilia Zublema (for Esta55) , Michela Tondinelli (for Fulran 62), Chiara Castellarin (for Cioffi)