Canada and England take first round wins

The host nation Canada defeated South Africa in a free-scoring attacking game of rugby with a final scoreline of 52-17. In the second game, USA pushed England all the way with the 6 Nations champions edging a 15-11 win in a hugely physical game. England scored late in the game to secure the win.

Canada 52 South Africa 17

(report from Rugby Canada, more to follow)

Canada were comfortable winners over South Africa in the first game of the Nations Cup in Ontario.

After an early Canadian try, the South Africans were able to claw their way back to a 7 6 score line, but that was as close as the match would get. A steady stream of quick ball with ample support runners began to see Canada widen the gap. Despite often heroic South African tackles, the Canadians were in high scoring form, with players like number 8 Jen Kish having a standout game.

Canadas sevens internationals such as Kish, Kelly Russell, Mandy Marchak, Andrea Burk and Ghislaine Landry were also threats whenever they touched the ball; Landry notching three of Canadas tries, with electric turns of pace.

Canada head Coach John Tait said: "Overall I was very happy with our set piece, and I thought the overall team performance really improved in the second-half. One exciting thing was that the new caps really stood out. I thought Kayla Mack did great work around the park and showed she deserved to be out there. Kelly Russell really had a Captains performance out there as well."

"As pleased as the Canadian management was with the teams accomplishments, they are under no illusions about the path ahead of them in this competition.We are going to have to be a little more aware of where we are on the field in the future, and tighten up our kick chase. We are only going to get so many opportunities from here on in at this tournament, so we will have to make sure we take them when they arrive."

Final Score: Canada (52) - South Africa (17)

Canada: 1. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid (Club de Rugby de Quebec). 2. Kim Donaldson (Burnaby Lake) Vancouver, BC, 3. Corinne Jacobsen (Burnaby Lake) Vancouver, BC, 4. Maria Jaworski (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB, 5. Danielle Rowlands (Kirin RFC / Calgary Hornets), 6. Kayla Mack (Wild Oats) Saskatoon, SK, 7. Jen Kish (Lep Tigers) Edmonton, AB, 8. Kelly Russell (Capt.) (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON, 9. Laura Stoughton (Calgary Irish) Calgary, AB, 10. Julia Sugawara (Burnaby Lake) Surrey, BC, 11. Jessica Dovanne (Velox Valkyries) Victoria, BC, 12. Mandy Marchak (Capilano) Winnipeg, MB, 13. Brittany Waters (Meraloma) Vancouver, BC, 14. Andrea Burk (Capilano North) Vancouver, BC, 15. Ghislaine Landry (Toronto Scottish) Toronto, ON.Substitutes: 16. Jessica Belchos (Markham Irish) Innisfil, ON, 17. Brandi Van Eeuwen (Cowichan) Duncan, BC, 18. Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON, 19. Shannon Kane (Capilano) Victoria, BC. 20. Arielle Dubissette-Borrice (Toronto Nomads) Ajax, ON, 21. Cheryl Phillips (Toronto Scottish) Toronto, ON, 22. Julianne Zussman (Town of Mount Royal RFC)

South Africa squad (team not named): Pulane Motloung, Yolanda Meiring (Blue Bulls), Mandisa Williams, Fundiswa Plaatjie, Ziyanda Tywaleni, Nolusindiso Booi, Nwabisa Ngxatu (Border), Daphne Scheepers, Lamla Momoti, Zandile Nojoko, Phumeza Gadu, Zenay Jordaan, Nomathamsanqa Faleni, Namhla Siyolo, Cebisa Kula, Sisphosethu Tshangana (Eastern Province), Dolly Mavumengwana, Lusanda Mtiya (KwaZulu-Natal), Natasha Hofmeester, Nedene Botha, Laurian Johannes, Denita Wentzel, Janine Felix (Western Province), Onicca Moaga (SWD). Team Management: Denver Wannies (Coach), Dumisani Mhani (Assistant-coach), Denzil van Heerden (Biokineticist), Tanushree Pillay (physiotherapist), Orna Prinsloo (Team Manager).

England 15 USA 11

An injury time try in the 87th from lock Rowena Burnfield secured the win for England, with the USA on course for victory leading 11-10 going into the final play.

The USAs outstanding defence was a key feature of the game as their physical rear-guard prevented a number of attacks close to their try line.

Fullback Danielle Waterman created the chance for Englands first try after 24 minutes when some neat footwork put Katy McLean through in the corner for a try.

The USA registered their first score after half an hour when Pam Kosanke added a 32ndminute penalty and Kosanke had the chance to push her side ahead again minutes later but her shot was pushed wide. Young players Samantha Pankey and Sadie Anderson continued to impress for the US as they pushed for another score.

The USA took to the second half in determined fashion, dominating all of the early play and their efforts were rewarded when winger Vix Folayan scored a superb try, collecting a great kicked ball and evading a number of tackles. Kosanke missed the conversion but the USA took the 8-5 lead on 48 minutes.

England hit right back with a score from flanker Maggie Alphonsi to push England ahead 10-8.

That lead was short-lived though and some careless England errors handed the USA the chance to go ahead with a 56thminute penalty. With Kosanke converting, they did, and led 11-10.

McLean had a shot at goal after 70 minutes but missed the opportunity and then the US lost Sarah Chobot to the sin bin on 73 mins.

The USs defence was superb as England threw everything at them to get the winning score and in the final play of the match, following a number of scrums in their opponents 22, the team in white broke through with lock Rowena Bunfield getting the try to secure the win.

England:1. Rochelle Clark, 2. Victoria Fleetwood, 3. Laura Keates, 4. Rebecca Essex, 5. Tamara Taylor, 6. Joanna McGilchrist, 7. Margaret Alphonsi, 8. Sarah Hunter, 9. La Toya Mason, 10. Katy McLean (c), 11. Kay Wilson, 12. Alice Richardson, 13. Emily Scarratt, 14. Francesca Matthews, 15. Danielle Waterman.Substitutes: 16. Amy Garnett, 17. Sophie Hemming, 18. Rowena Burnfield, 19. Jennifer Brightmore, 20. Natasha Hunt, 21. Sarah McKenna, 22. Claire Allan.

USA1. Farrah Douglas, 2. Lisa Butts, 3. Jamie Burke, 4. Stacey Bridges, 5. Stacy Baker, 6. Shaina Turley, 7. Lynelle Kugler, 8. Kate Daley, 9. Kim Magrini (c), 10. Sadie Anderson, 11. Vix Folayan, 12. Pam Kosanke, 13. Amy Daniels, 14. Vanesha McGee, 15. Samantha Pankey.Substitutes: 16. Devin Keller, 17. Sarah Chobot, 18. Laura Miller, 19. Kitt Wagner, 20. Carrie White, 21. Sylvia Braaten, 22. Katie Dowty.