WORLD CUP DREAM OVER FOR WALES
WALES’ dream of glory at the women’s World Cup ended when they came up short during a physical encounter with Canada in Dublin yesterday.
2014 finalists Canada dominated the second half, but failed to turn their superiority into points after wasting a glut of opportunities.
Overlaps were spurned and handling mistakes were made, though that shouldn’t take anything away from the commitment and courage of Wales.
Rowland Phillips’ team tackled as though their lives depended on it but couldn’t break the Canada stranglehold in the final 40 minutes.
Following defeat against New Zealand’s Black Ferns, it means Wales can’t reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
Nevertheless, despite losing both their matches, they have been hugely competitive and the performances of a largely young side should augur well for the future.
Canada’s tries was scored by scrum-half Lori Josephson and rightwing Magali Harvey, who converted the former’s and landed a penalty in the second half.
No. 8 Sioned Harries, who was a try-scorer against New Zealand, was as the forefront of Wales’s effort. She gave Canada huge problems with her powerful ball-carrying, ploughing through defenders.
But Wales couldn’t take advantage and their possession dried up, denying them any opportunities.
Canada started strongly but Wales threatened when Harries made a pile-driving burst into the heart of the Canada defence.
They worked the ball left and back right but a handling error ruined a promising attack.
Canada had an edge at the scrum but Wales’s confidence grew with their driving line-out working.
However, it was Canada who took the lead with a smartly-taken try by scrum-half Lori Josephson following a scrum in the 25th minute.
They worked the blindside in the Welsh 22 and recycled the ball quickly at a ruck. Josephson made an arcing run and spotted a gap in the defence, darting through it and forcing her way over for Harvey to add the extras.
Soon afterwards Wales were under the cosh in their 22 but Harries blasted off the back of a scrum and knocked a couple of Canada’s backs out of her way during another barnstorming run.
Lock Mel Clay was in support to do some more damage and they reached the opposition half, only to concede a penalty after becoming isolated.
Wales had to defend desperately on their try-line to prevent Canada from scoring early in the second half, with a try being chalked off for an illegal double movement.
Clay was laid out by a massive tackle but Canada were suffering from the ‘white line fever’ which afflicted Wales at the 2015 men’s World Cup. They did the spadework and only had to pass the ball wide with some massive overlaps but blinkered first receivers charged for the try-line and were halted.
Another score was scrubbed, referee Sean Gallagher having spotted a knock-on by substitute scrum-half Chelsea Guthrie.
Wales had made 156 tackles to Canada’s 43 with an hour played. Canada were getting frustrated and had full-back Julianne Zussman sinbinned for stamping on Wales substitute Megan York.
But they remained in charge, with Harvey putting over a penalty before diving over in the corner.
WALES: D Hywel; E Evans, G Rowland, H Jones, J KavanaghWilliams; E Snowsill, S Moore; C Thomas, C Phillips (capt), A Evans, R Rowe, M Clay, A Butchers, S Harries, R Taylor. Subs: M Ifans, C Hale, M York, S Lillicrap, S Powell-Hughes, K Bevan, R Wilkins, J Evans.
CANADA: J Zussman; M Harvey, A Tessier, A Burk, E Alarie; E Belchos, L Josephson; C McEwen, L Russell, D Menin, K Mack, L Blackwood, J Grusnick, K Russell (capt), K Paquin. Subs: J Kirby, B Kassil, O DeMerchant, T Beukeboom, B Mervin, C Guthrie, A Thornborough, B Waters.
SCORERS: Tries: Josephson, Harvey; con: Harvey; pen: Harvey.
REFEREE: Sean Gallagher (Ireland).
WALES WOMEN ................ 0 CANADA WOMEN ............ 15