England power to series win

England scored a hugely impressive 21-7 win over World Champions New Zealand at Esher to clinch the three test series after their second win in three days.

The hosts, who had made 11 changes from the side who won 10-0 at Twickenham, looked far too powerful throughout the game with a number of their young players shining on a night when they outscored the opposition three tries to one.

England took the game to New Zealand in a way you suspect the Black Ferns havent experienced before, taking them right on up front from the off and winning most of their tight battles there before releasing their pace out wide.

In the first half at least, the Black Ferns struggled to cope with the physicality of Englands 18 year old number 8 Alex Matthews and the lightening pace put on the ball by scrum-half Natasha Hunt and they were on the back-foot for much of the opening 40 minutes. Its a position the world champions arent used to being in and it showed as they conceded far too many penalties and looked forced when they did eventually get their hands on some possession.

England made the best possible start stripping the ball from New Zealand captain Casey Robertson in the first play of the game and winning a penalty which Katy McLean knocked over after just two minutes for an early lead.

Englands start then got even better when eight minutes in they were over for their first try through winger Georgina Roberts - McLean and Rachael Burford applying two lovely passes for the winger to dive over in the corner.

But NZ hit right back with a try of their own. Kendra Cocksedge made an electric break through the heart of Englands defence, doing brilliantly after the ball squirted out the back of a scrum, and Justine Lavea was on hand to finish off a simple two on one under the posts. Kelly Brazier converted for an 8-7 score.

England then proceeded to dominate the next 15 minutes winning scrum after scrum in the NZ 22 and putting huge pressure on the Black Ferns defence, the impressive Matthews came very close to crossing after a brilliant drive from the base but the NZ held firm. McLean tried her hand three times with a chip over the top but each time the ball was dropped on collection and eventually Casey Robertson cleaned up for her side as they cleared the danger zone in a show of dogged defending.

Another fine attack then involving Becky Essex, Burford and Hunt brought play into the NZ 22 again and Vita Robinson was binned as New Zealand desperately tried to defend and McLean kicked the resulting penalty to give England an11-07 halftime lead.

The Black Ferns made a bright start to the second half with Robertson and Brazier making some fine yards but England showed no fear on the counter attack, with Michaela Staniford, Merchant and Kay Wilson combining on a run that brought the home team right back into the Black Ferns 22.

They were rewarded for their enterprising play when McLean crashed over for try number two following great pressure from Englands pack. England now led 16-7 and New Zealand were desperate to get back in the game but as they pressed for something special to happen, nothing went their way. Balls were dropped, and passes were forced as the visitors felt the pressure of trailing in the game.

Kim Oliver was then sin binned for killing the ball but it made no difference as England immediately scored their third try. This time it was replacement hooker Victoria Fleetwood who showed immense pace and power to run in from the 22, blasting past the Kiwi defence as she did so. England now led 21-7 with 10 to go.

New Zealand tried in vain to get back a score in the final ten minutes and England lost Natasha Hunt was sin binned as defended their lines and their defence held firm as they saw out the game.

England: Kay Wilson, Georgina Roberts, Rachael Burford, Kimberley Oliver, Michaela Staniford, Katy McLean, Natasha Hunt, Claire Purdy, Amy Turner, Laura Keates, Rebecca Essex, Tamara Taylor, Hannah Gallagher, Marlie Packer, Alexandra Matthews

Replacements:Victoria Fleetwood (for Turner 52), Sophie Hemming (for Keates 64) , Rowena Burnfield (for Essex 57) , Margaret Alphonsi (for Gallagher 61), La Toya Mason, Emily Scarratt (fpr Staniford 70), Katherine Merchant (for Roberts 40)

New Zealand: Kelly Brazier, Katarina Whata, Shakira Baker, Amiria Rule, Renee Wickliffe, Rebecca Mahoney, Kendra Cocksedge Kathleen Wilton, Karina Penetito, Mel Bosman, Vita Robinson, Kelani Matapo, Lydia Crossma, Justine Lavea. Casey Robertson (C)

Replacements:Eloise Blackwell (for Matapo 46), Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox (for Bosman 48), Teresa Te Tamaki (for Rule 53), Hazel Tubic (for Mahoney 56), Aroha Savage (for Crossman 58), Muteremoana Aiatu (for Wilson 60), Emma Jensen (for Cocksedge 66)