Alex scores in big win

GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY’S Alex Matthews was among the try scorers as England reached the Rugby World Cup semi-finals as they ground out a 41-5 victory against Australia in horrendously wet Auckland conditions.

Captain Sarah Hunter scored the Red Roses’ opener on the day the 37-year-old became the mostcapped England and women’s international with 138 and all seven of England’s tries came from forwards.

Flanker Marlie Packer completed a hat-trick with Abbie Ward, ex-hartpury student Amy Cokayne and Matthews all crossing as England extended their record winning run to 29 Tests in a row.

The Red Roses face Canada in Saturday’s semi-final, with a potential final against New Zealand or France to come.

Gloucester-hartpury lock Zoe Aldcroft was shown a yellow card for a dangerous clearout at the ruck, and her team-mate Tatyana Heard was an attacking threat as she played for a previously unlikely semi-final starting spot, having been voted player-of-thematch in the win over South Africa.

Gloucester-hartpury’s Maud Muir was among the replacements as were ex-hartpury pair Hannah Botterman and Ellie Kildunne.

New Zealand ended Wales’ hopes with a 55-3 quarter-final win, with Gloucester-hartpury’s Hannah Jones skippering a side including her club-mates Lisa Neumann, Cara Hope, Gwen Crabb and Bethan Lewis, plus replacements Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Siwan Lillicrap and Lleucu George.