WOMEN'S WORLD CUP GROUP STAGE

A good turnout at the Tetley’s Stadium were treated to a tight and tense affair as Australia's Women defeated England Women 14-6 on Friday evening.

Defence was key during the first half as both sides struggled to break down their opponents until, on the 12 minute mark, Australia's Samantha Hammond opened the scoring after beating two defenders and crashing over the try line. The resulting conversion was successfully taken by Ali Briggenshaw to give the 'Jillaroos' a 6-0 lead over the hosts.

Australia could have increased shortly after only to be foiled by England's right-centre Amy Hardcastle, who made two excellent tackles in quick succession to prevent another try.

Australian enjoyed the lion's share of possession throughout the opening period but England’s Lindsay Anfield broke through from 40 metres out against the run of play but the distance was too far and the Australian defence eventually caught up.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first with hard tackling aplenty and little to separate the sides - although neither team looked like scoring.

After Andrea Dobson was penalised for holding her Australian opponent in the tackle, Briggenshaw slotted home the penalty for a big two points to make it 8-0.

With the game edging into the closing stages, tempers flared and England’s Rachel Twibill was sent to the sin-bin for her actions when the teams clashed.

If anything, the coming together between the sides fired up the crowd, who voiced their support for the host nation.

Despite the vocal backing, the Australian’s continued to attack and shortly after Samantha Hammond crashed over the line. Briggenshaw duly converted to make it 14-0.

England's star-player Anfield managed to grab a consolation score for the hosts after an exhilarating break, but the comeback was too little to late with an eight point deficit still to overcome.

Shortly before the final whistle, England’s Andrea Dobson was the second player sent to the sin-bin, this time for kicking in a tackle.

Despite the score, England Head Coach Chris Chapman was happy with his team’s performance and can take positives ahead of the game against New Zealand Women on Monday evening.

“It was disappointing with the high penalty count against us but I’m very proud of my team," he said."It has given us confidence for the game against New Zealand at Featherstone on Monday.”

ENGLAND
Lindsay Anfield, Lauren Stallwood, Amy Hardcastle, Natalie Gilmour, Jodie Cunningham, Gemma Walsh, Kirsty Moroney, Emma Slowe, Danielle Bound, Andrea Dobson, Beth Sutcliffe, Holly Freestone, Emily Rudge, Clare McGinnis, Kim Field, Rachel Twibill, Claire Hall

AUSTRALIA
Samantha Hammond, Jessica Palmer, Jenni-Sue Huepper, Joanne Barret, Karina Brown, Ali Briggenshawm Karyn Murphy, Stephanie Hancock, Natalie Dwyer, Rebecca Young, Deanne Turner, Renae Kunst, Tahne Norris, Julie Young, Heather Ballinger, Elianne Walton, Ruan Simms