SLAM POWER
England too strong for brave Irish side
THERE was disappointment for the Ireland women’s side last night, when a powerful second-half showing by England brought their Grand Slam aspirations to an end in their final game of the championship.
Both sides came into this game knowing that the victor would claim full honours in the competition, and even though they were in contention at the midway point, a stunning display of attacking rugby ensured that England secured their 14th title.
The world champions opened the scoring in the 17th minute, Amy Wilson Hardy crossing in clinical fashion.
Emily Scarratt provided the final pass but then missed the conversion. Ireland were struggling to break out of their own half in the first-quarter, as England were pressurising their opponents at every opportunity.
Fine breaks by Alison Miller and Nora Stapleton got the passionate home support behind the team, though, and the towering Marie Louise Reilly was making a strong impression in the line-out. As the half drew to a close, Ireland were posing a significant attacking threat to the English line, with centre Sene Naoupu just being held up from a dash towards the whitewash.
Skipper Paula Fitzpatrick was also halted in the final minute of the half, as English dug deep to bring a 5-0 advantage into the break. Ireland made an encouraging start to the second half. A strong break by Jenny Murphy brought them into the England 22, but they suffered a major setback when flanker Claire Molloy was forced off through injury.
England prop Laura Keats powered over to create significant daylight between the teams, and after Connacht’s Mairead Coyne was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, Scarratt kicked a close-in penalty.
The gap between the teams widened when hooker Amy Cokayne broke free for a converted score, before a similar five-pointer by her opposite number, Leah Lyons, at the end of a sustained period of pressure offered Ireland some hope.
But Scarratt finished off a fastpaced 69th-minute move followed by a breakaway try for the pacy Lydia Thompson, as England sealed the deal in style.