VALIANT WALES FAIL TO HALT THE ENGLAND POWER
WALES Women performed valiantly as a dominant England recorded their 21st victory in a row with a 10-try performance.
In front of a bumper crowd of 14,869 at Kingsholm, the Red Roses took another step towards a fourth successive Six Nations title but there were promising signs for Ioan Cunningham’s side..
Wales have only ever beaten England twice in their history and, despite the renewed optimism of a perfect start so soon after handing out professional contracts,
If their opening two matches had been defined by strong finishes, then this match threatened to be about starting well.
Buoyed by the elusive feet of Kayleigh Powell and a strong set-piece, Wales were more than a match for the Red Roses in the opening exchanges.
However, the 15-minute delay of the game that came about after a seemingly serious injury for England full-back Abby Dow disrupted Wales’ efforts a little. When play resumed, England scored almost immediately through a textbook driving maul.
Hooker Lark Davies has plenty of Welsh family ties but all that was forgotten as she powered over for the opener on 15 minutes.
Wales’ discipline began to slide, but their effort never faltered as England started to pin them back.
The second try came after 21 minutes, when second-row Abbie Ward forced her way over from close range.
England have managed to wrap up a bonus point before half-time in each of their matches so far this year and it looked on the cards again when Jess Breach stood up Powell to score in the corner after 37 minutes.
However, the Welsh defence stood firm to deny the home side a fourth before the break.
Of course, it wouldn’t be long after the restart that England did score again. Hooker Davies ensured that even the most ardent of her Welsh relatives were cheering as she powered over for her second try.
It would be Breach crossing for second shortly after, when countless phases of pressure in the red-zone allowed Zoe Harrison to feed her winger with a looping miss-pass.
Minutes later, the Red Roses crossed for their sixth as Sarah Bern crashed over after taking a pass from Marlie Packer in a neatly-worked lineout move.
On the hour-mark, Wales were reduced to 14 as replacement Natalia John paid the price for the growing penalty count - being yellow carded for changing her bind when defending a maul.
To their credit, Wales didn’t exactly capitulate with one fewer player - however, they were powerless to stop England scoring again.
Flanker Alex Matthews took an offload from Ward in a wide channel and bumped off Powell on a barnstorming charge to the try-line.
In fact, it was when they were down to 14 that they got on the scoresheet. The Welsh lineout that had worked well throughout powered towards the line, with Kelsey Jones charging over.
The Red Roses would have the final say though, with Shaunagh Brown crossing shortly after some nice hands freed up the replacement prop.
Shortly after, talismanic centre Emily Scarratt was on hand to dive over in the corner after the home side’s relentless tempo proved impossible to live with.
And, once the clock had gone red, captain Sarah Hunter crossed for the Red Roses’ tenth try of the day.