‘Superb’ Katy brings her ton up in style
KATY Daley-Mclean earned her 100th cap with a starring performance Aas England an in nine tries to record their highest victory against the USA on Friday night.
Fly-half Daley-Mclean, 32, who scored a try and landed five conversions, lsaid: “To get player of the match is really nice, it’s not something I get that often and also to get in on my 100th on a wet night.
“There has been a lot of chat about me but there were six girls tonight getting their first caps tonight who did a fantastic job, it’s just brilliant to see.”
The weather conditions made handling difficult and a red and yellow card did not help the USA’s cause as they had no answer to the power of England.
A double for Kelly Smith plus tries from Leanne Riley, Sarah McKenna, Abbie Scott, Daley-Mclean, Sarah Hunter, Carys Williams and a penalty try saw England home.
England’s scrum was dominant from the start and it was from the setpiece they scored their first try. A pick-up from No.8 Sarah Beckett created space for scrum-half Riley, who went over to score.
Things got worse for the USA after loosehead prop Megan Rom received a red card after she was adjudged to lead with the elbow into the neck of Beckett.
McKenna scored England’s second after she ran a lovely line to cut through the USA defence after more good work from her forwards. The pack was once again in action for their third and were driving for the line before they were illegally stopped and the referee awarded the penalty try. Daley-Mclean converted as the USA were reduced to 13 with skipper Kate Zackary shown a yellow.
Daley-Mclean set up Scott for England’s fourth with a sidestep before scoring one of her own as she picked up a loose pass from 50m out and had enough pace to run in.
Replacement No 8 Sarah Hunter was denied twice in the opening minutes of the second half but England got their sixth in the 43rd minute when winger Kelly Smith, who is the top try scorer in the Premier 15s, came off her wing and bisected the USA midfield to score her first Test try.
Hunter got over for England’s seventh after a solid scrum from 5m out, before Janine Duncan got a late consolation try for USA. However, England had the last word as Smith went over for her second as well as a last-minute score by Carys Williams to give England a comfortable win.
Head coach Simon Middleton said: “Katy has let her game do the talking. It wasn’t a sympathetic vote to give her player of the match it was thoroughly deserved, she was absolutely superb.”